Making your BBQ sauce spicier can add excitement and flavor to grilled meats, sandwiches, vegetables and more. Whether you want to give your BBQ sauce an extra kick or make a spicy sauce from scratch, there are easy ways to turn up the heat.
Adjusting Store-Bought BBQ Sauce
If you want to add some spice to a store-bought BBQ sauce, you have a few quick and easy options:
Add Hot Sauce
One of the simplest ways to make BBQ sauce spicier is to stir in hot sauce like Tabasco, Frank’s RedHot or Cholula. Start with a teaspoon at a time until you reach your desired level of heat. You can also blend in other fiery condiments like sambal oelek or harissa paste for different flavor profiles.
Use Spicy Seasonings
Sprinkle in cayenne pepper, red pepper flakes, ancho chile powder, chipotle powder or other ground chiles. Go slowly, tasting after each dash. You can also add spicy blends like chili powder or Cajun seasoning.
Blend in Roasted Peppers
For a deeper, smokier heat, add a spoonful or two of roasted peppers – jalapeños, habaneros, Anaheims or Hatch chiles all work well. Roast them over an open flame or under the broiler until charred, then chop finely before mixing in.
Grate Fresh Ginger
Ginger packs a peppery punch. For an aromatic kick, finely grate a 1-2 inch piece of fresh ginger root into the BBQ sauce. Let it infuse for at least 15 minutes before using.
Increase Black Pepper
Simply adding more freshly cracked black pepper can make BBQ sauce taste hotter without significantly altering the flavor. Coarsely grind in pepper to taste.
Simmer Chili Peppers
Sauté fresh peppers like jalapeño, serrano or Thai chiles in oil over medium heat until softened. Then simmer the peppers in your store-bought BBQ sauce for 10-15 minutes to infuse it with heat.
Making Homemade Spicy BBQ Sauce
Crafting your own hot BBQ sauce at home allows you to fully control the ingredients for customized, fiery flavor.
Base Ingredients
All homemade BBQ sauces start with a base of thick, sweet ingredients to provide body and flavor balance.
- Tomato sauce, puree or ketchup
- Molasses, brown sugar or honey
- Apple cider or white vinegar
Oils and Seasonings
Building depth of flavor comes from oils to carry other flavors and spices and herbs for aroma and complexity:
- Vegetable, canola or olive oil
- Smoked paprika, regular paprika, garlic powder, onion powder
- Chili powder, cumin, mustard powder, coriander
Heat Sources
This is where you can get creative with different types and levels of spicy ingredients:
- Fresh chiles like jalapeño, serrano, habanero
- Dried chiles or chili flakes
- Cayenne, chipotle or ancho powder
- Hot pepper sauce like Tabasco, Cholula or sriracha
Layering the Heat
When crafting a homemade spicy BBQ sauce, you can add the fiery ingredients in stages:
- Sweat the aromatics: Sauté onion, garlic, fresh peppers in oil until soft
- Simmer chiles in the sauce: Once your sauce base is blended, add the fresh and dried peppers to simmer for 10-15 minutes
- Finish with hot sauce/powders: After removing from heat, stir in hot sauces, chili powders, pepper flakes to taste
This builds flavor in layers, preventing any one ingredient from overpowering the others.
Balancing Sweet and Heat
Getting the right balance of sweet and hot can make or break a good spicy BBQ sauce. If the heat completely overwhelms the other flavors, try:
- Adding more tomato sauce, molasses, honey or brown sugar
- Simmering for longer to mellow the spices
- Finishing with a squeeze of orange or lemon juice to brighten
Taste frequently as you build the sauce and adjust until you love the blend of sweet, heat and tang.
BBQ Sauce Recipes with a Spicy Kick
Once you understand the basic building blocks, it’s easy to make your own signature spicy BBQ sauce at home. Here are some flavorful recipes to try:
Smoky Chipotle BBQ Sauce
The addition of earthy, hot chipotle chiles gives this sauce a nice slow burn.
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons canola oil
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1-2 chopped chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
- 1 cup ketchup
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons molasses
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon mustard powder
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- In a saucepan, heat the oil over medium high heat. Sauté the onions and garlic for 2-3 minutes until softened.
- Add the chipotle peppers and sauté another minute.
- Stir in the ketchup, brown sugar, vinegar, molasses, paprika, mustard powder, chili powder and salt and pepper.
- Bring to a simmer and cook for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened.
- Remove from heat and adjust seasoning as needed.
Habanero Mango BBQ Sauce
Mango adds tropical fruity flavor to balance out the extreme heat of habaneros in this sauce.
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 2 habanero chiles, seeded and minced
- 1 mango, peeled and diced
- 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon allspice
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- In a saucepan, heat the oil over medium heat. Sauté the onions until translucent, about 3 minutes.
- Add the habaneros and mango and cook for 2 minutes more.
- Stir in the tomato sauce, vinegar, brown sugar, lime juice and spices.
- Simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened.
- Carefully blend sauce until smooth. Season with salt and pepper.
Honey Sriracha BBQ Sauce
For an irresistible blend of sweet and spicy, the honey and Sriracha play off each other beautifully.
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/2 cup sriracha sauce
- 1/3 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
Instructions:
- Heat the olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Sauté the garlic for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Whisk in the honey, sriracha, soy sauce, vinegar, tomato paste, ginger and sesame oil.
- Simmer for 5-10 minutes, stirring constantly, until thickened slightly.
- Remove from heat and let cool. The sauce will thicken more as it cools.
Spicy Bourbon BBQ Sauce
Smoky bourbon and hot pepper sauce make this an addictively bold, Southern-inspired BBQ sauce.
Ingredients:
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 1 onion, finely diced
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 cup bourbon
- 1 cup ketchup
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup hot pepper sauce
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 2 teaspoons liquid smoke
- 1 teaspoon mustard powder
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- Salt to taste
Instructions:
- Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and sauté until tender, about 5 minutes.
- Pour in the bourbon and bring to a boil. Let boil vigorously for 2-3 minutes to cook off some of the alcohol.
- Reduce heat to low and stir in the remaining ingredients. Simmer for 10 minutes, stirring often, until thickened.
- Remove from heat and season to taste with salt and additional pepper.
Tips for Using Spicy BBQ Sauce
Once you’ve whipped up a batch of fiery BBQ sauce, here are some tips for putting it to delicious use:
- Brush on grilled or broiled chicken, beef, pork and seafood during the last few minutes of cooking. The char from the grill will intensify the sauce’s flavors.
- Toss with grilled vegetables like zucchini, eggplant and mushrooms for a spicy kick.
- Stir a spoonful into baked beans, chili or soup for extra flavor and heat.
- Use as a dip for chicken wings, chicken fingers, onion rings or french fries.
- Spread on a barbecue pulled pork, shredded chicken or sloppy joe sandwich. The cool, rich meat contrasts nicely with the hot sauce.
- Drizzle over a cheeseburger for a spicy take on a backyard classic.
- Whisk a bit into mayo or ranch dressing to use as a spicy condiment for burgers, sandwiches, wraps and more.
With an arsenal of fiery BBQ sauce recipes, you can add sizzle and flavor to all your favorite grilled foods for backyard barbecues or anytime. Just remember to taste and adjust the level of spiciness as you go to suit your preferences. The beauty of making it yourself is that you control the heat!
FAQ About Making BBQ Sauce Spicy
What is the best way to make store-bought BBQ sauce spicier?
Stirring in a spoonful of hot sauce or chili powder are easy ways to ramp up the heat in store-bought sauce. You can also blend in fresh chopped peppers. Add them slowly and taste frequently so you don’t overdo it.
What kinds of peppers work well in spicy BBQ sauce?
Jalapeños, serranos, habaneros, Anaheim and poblano peppers all add nice spice. For milder heat, go for banana or cherry peppers. You can use them fresh, roasted, dried or powdered.
Should you add sweeteners to balance out the heat?
Yes, balancing sweetness and acidity is key for any good BBQ sauce. Molasses, brown sugar, honey and sweet fruits like mangoes all work well. Adding tomato paste also provides sweetness.
What ingredients help add smoky flavor to spicy BBQ sauce?
Smoked paprika, chipotle peppers in adobo, liquid smoke and Worcestershire sauce can all impart a nice smoky flavor that pairs perfectly with spice.
How long does homemade spicy BBQ sauce last?
Properly stored in a sealed container in the fridge, it will last up to 4 weeks. For longer shelf life, spoon hot sauce into sterilized jars and refrigerate for up to 3 months. You can also freeze BBQ sauce for 4-6 months.
Conclusion
It’s easy to transform your favorite BBQ sauce into something spicy and bold with a few simple tweaks using hot sauces, fresh and dried peppers, zesty spices and more. Making it from scratch allows you to fully customize the flavor and heat level. Brush your hot BBQ sauce on proteins, veggies or sandwiches for an addictive kick. With so many options for creating spice blends, you can keep experimenting until you invent your signature sauce that’s just right for your tastes. Turn up the heat at your next barbecue for some finger lickin’ good eats!