How to Make Hawaiian BBQ Sauce

Hawaiian barbecue sauce has a uniquely sweet, tangy, and savory flavor that sets it apart from other barbecue sauces. Making your own Hawaiian BBQ sauce at home allows you to customize the flavor to your liking and avoid additives and preservatives found in store-bought versions. With just a few simple ingredients, you can have a delicious Hawaiian-style BBQ sauce ready in minutes.

What Makes Hawaiian BBQ Sauce Unique

Hawaiian BBQ sauce gets its characteristic flavor from a blend of salty, sweet, and savory ingredients. Some key components that set it apart include:

Soy sauce – Provides a salty, umami base. Regular or low-sodium varieties work.
Brown sugar – Adds sweetness and balances the saltiness of the soy sauce. Dark brown sugar has more molasses flavor.
Pineapple juice – Provides a tropical fruitiness and tanginess. Fresh or canned juice can be used.
Garlic – Gives aromatic flavor. Minced or garlic powder works.
Ginger – Adds a subtle spiciness. Use fresh grated or ground ginger.
Sesame oil – Contributes nutty, toasted sesame seed flavor. A small amount is all you need.
Cornstarch – Thickens the sauce so it nicely coats food.

Compared to traditional barbecue sauce, Hawaiian BBQ sauce has less tomato flavor and more tropical fruit and Asian influences. It’s thinner in consistency and clings well to meat.

Making homemade Hawaiian BBQ sauce is easy and only requires about 5-10 minutes of active prep time. Here is a step-by-step guide:

Ingredients

1 cup soy sauce
1⁄2 cup brown sugar
1⁄4 cup pineapple juice
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 Tbsp grated fresh ginger
1 Tbsp sesame oil
2 tsp cornstarch

Directions

In a small saucepan, combine the soy sauce, brown sugar, pineapple juice, garlic, ginger, and sesame oil.
Heat over medium, stirring frequently, until the sugar fully dissolves, about 3-5 minutes.
Make a slurry by mixing the cornstarch with 1 Tbsp water in a small bowl until smooth.
Stir the cornstarch slurry into the saucepan. Bring to a simmer and cook for 1-2 minutes until thickened.
Remove from heat and let cool. The sauce will thicken more as it cools.
Use immediately or transfer to an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to 1 week.

Tips

Adjust brown sugar amount to taste if you prefer it sweeter or less sweet.
For spicier sauce, add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a small diced chili pepper.
For thicker sauce, increase the cornstarch to 1 Tbsp or simmer longer before adding slurry.
For smoother sauce, strain out the ginger and garlic after cooking if desired.
Add a dash of rice vinegar for a little more tang.

With this easy Hawaiian BBQ sauce recipe, you can quickly whip up a tasty sauce to use for grilling meats, brushing on skewers, dipping tempura, or as a marinade. Aloha!

Uses for Hawaiian BBQ Sauce

From poultry to seafood to veggies, Hawaiian BBQ sauce pairs well with a variety of foods. Some delicious ways to use it include:

Chicken

Grilled chicken – Baste chicken pieces while grilling for a caramelized flavor.
Chicken skewers – Alternate chicken chunks with pineapple and onion pieces.
Chicken wings or drumsticks – Toss wings in sauce as a sticky, saucy coating.

Pork

Kalua pig – Traditional Hawaiian pulled pork, smoked or roasted.
Pork chops – Brush sauce on while grilling for flavorful chops.
Ribs – Excellent on baby back or spare ribs. Grill or bake with sauce.

Beef

Steak – Use as a marinade or drizzle over steaks before grilling.
Meat skewers – Thread beef cubes onto skewers, alternating with veggies.
Hamburgers – Brush on burger patties while cooking for juicy flavor.

Seafood

Shrimp – Toss shrimp with sauce as a marinade or dipping sauce.
Salmon – Top grilled or baked salmon fillets with sauce.
Mahi mahi – Baste firm white fish while grilling.

Vegetables

Vegetable skewers – Try pineapple, bell pepper, onion, zucchini.
Grilled vegetables – Baste on eggplant, squash, peppers, etc.
Stir fry – Toss sauce with stir fried vegetables.

The sweet and salty sauce pairs remarkably well with the flavors of tropical and Asian-style dishes.

Storing Leftover Hawaiian BBQ Sauce

One batch of this Hawaiian BBQ sauce makes about 1 cup, which is plenty for multiple uses. Here are some tips for storing leftover sauce:

Let sauce cool fully before transferring to an airtight container.
Pour into a squeeze bottle for easy use on grilled foods.
Refrigerate for up to 1 week.
Freeze for long term storage up to 3 months. Thaw in refrigerator before using.
If sauce separates, stir together before using.
If sauce thickens over time, thin with a bit of warm water.
Reheat gently before serving if desired.

With proper storage, you can enjoy homemade Hawaiian barbecue sauce for many future meals. Aloha!

Frequently Asked Questions

What proteins go best with Hawaiian BBQ sauce?

The savory-sweet sauce pairs especially well with chicken, pork, beef, shrimp, salmon, and mahi mahi. It’s great on grilled meats but also nicely flavors oven-baked dishes.

What’s the difference between Hawaiian BBQ sauce and teriyaki sauce?

While both are derived from Asian flavors, Hawaiian BBQ sauce has more tropical fruit influence from pineapple juice and a more ketchup-like consistency compared to the thicker, more glaze-like teriyaki sauce.

Can I use canned pineapple juice?

Yes, canned pineapple juice can substitute for fresh juice in this recipe. Be sure to use 100% pineapple juice without added sugar.

How long does homemade Hawaiian BBQ sauce last?

Properly stored in the refrigerator, the sauce will keep for up to 1 week. For longer shelf life up to 3 months, freeze sauce in an airtight container.

What’s the best way to thicken the sauce if needed?

For a thicker sauce, you can increase the cornstarch to 1-2 Tbsp. Simmering the sauce longer after adding cornstarch will also help thicken it up.

What if I don’t have sesame oil?

While the sesame oil adds great flavor, you can omit it if needed. Substitute a neutral oil like canola and add a dash of toasted sesame seeds.

Can I use low sodium soy sauce?

Yes, low sodium soy sauce can be used to cut some of the saltiness. You may want to adjust brown sugar higher to compensate.

With this versatile Hawaiian BBQ sauce recipe, you can add a taste of the islands to all kinds of dishes. Enjoy!