I first learned the secret to great BBQ sauce while working at the cutest little bistro ever near Ithaca NY: Simple Red Village Bistro, just a short walk from my apartment in Trumansburg. Actually, everything was just a short walk from my apartment because the entire town was about a mile and a half from one end to the other. But don’t let that fool you; there was plenty to keep me there. The tiny village had everything I needed; a couple of food markets, a variety of cute cafes, the tallest waterfall in the North East (yes, really) and way more bars than were necessary for the size of the town. Not to mention my place of employment, where I learned a whole lot about cooking from a talented and fiery woman named Sam.
This BBQ sauce is based on the recipe I learned there, but is adapted to reflect my mostly Paleo way of eating. I’m sure this recipe is too high glycemic to call it Paleo, but I’m happy with the fact that it has just a few simple ingredients, none of which are ketchup. And it’s a sauce, after all, meant to bring flavor and depth to the food that was lucky enough to be graced with it’s presence. Not intended to be drank.
5 oz tomato paste
1 1/4 C strong brewed coffee
1/2 C honey
3 T molasses
2-3 chipotle peppers in adobo* plus some sauce (lessen or leave out for a mild sauce)
2 T coconut aminos
This can be made in a blender, or a bowl with an immersible blender. OR, you can just chop up the chipotle peppers finely and mix it all with a spoon. If you’re not lazy like me.
How to store and use your delicious homemade BBQ sauce?
- Store in a clean glass jar in the refrigerator. It will keep for longer than it lasts, if you catch my drift.
- Add a tablespoon or 2 to ground beef before you make them into burgers. It will add some seriously good flavor.
- Brush on meat when it’s about 10 minutes away from being done. (not sooner or it can burn) I like to add several layers and flip several times once the meat is nearly cooked through.
- Add a bit to chili for great depth of flavor.
- Drizzle on grilled veggies.
- What else? You tell me.
* Most commercially available chipotles in adobo have some undesirable ingredients, so be sure to check the label. Health food stores or Whole Foods should have a variety that is free of gluten and weird stuff.
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Sarah D says
This stuff is delicious! I don’t have molasses right now (#pandemic2020) but it still tastes great without it. All of your recipes are so straightforward but with flavor that blows me away! Thank you for this one, Simone!
zenbelly says
Thanks Sarah! So glad you loved it.
Jon Emerson says
Worked out great. My family loved it. They all could not believe that coffee is the main ingredient. I love your recipes and your cookbook. Thank.
Jon
zenbelly says
Thanks so much, Jon! I’m glad everyone loved it. 🙂