Name: Spicy Roasted Garlic BBQ Sauce
Prep time: 13 min
Cook time: 31 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 1 tsp neutral oil ((I used grapeseed oil)); 0.5 null red onion (diced); 1 clove fresh garlic (minced); 1 tsp smoked paprika; 0.5 tsp ground cumin; 0.25 tsp ground black pepper; 0.75 cup roasted garlic cloves (loosely packed); 0.25 cup apple cider vinegar; 30 oz canned tomato sauce or tomato puree; 4 tbsp coconut sugar ((or brown sugar; plus more to taste)); 0.25 cup + tbsp sriracha ((plus more to taste; or reduce if sensitive to heat)); 2 tbsp whiskey ((optional)); 2 tbsp blackstrap molasses; 1 tbsp soy sauce ((or use gluten-free tamari or liquid aminos)); 1 tbsp prepared mustard; 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar; 2 tsp tamarind paste; 1 tbsp vegan worcestershire sauce ((see notes for substitutions)); 1 tsp liquid smoke

Instructions

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1

Add a small drizzle of neutral oil (1 tsp) to a saucepan over medium-high heat. Once warm, add the onion (0.5 red) and fresh garlic (1 clove) and stir. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onion is softened and slightly browned. Add smoked paprika (1 tsp), ground cumin (0.5 tsp), and ground black pepper (0.25 tsp), stir, and cook for about 60 more seconds or until fragrant. Remove from the heat.
2

Use a rubber spatula to transfer the sauteed mixture to a blender along with the roasted garlic cloves (0.75 cup) and apple cider vinegar (0.25 cup). Blend until completely smooth, adding some of the canned tomato sauce or tomato puree (30 oz) if needed to facilitate blending.
3

Pour the blended mixture into a saucepan and add all remaining ingredients, except for the liquid smoke (1 tsp). Bring to a boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer.
4

Simmer the mixture for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in the liquid smoke (1 tsp) and taste for seasoning (adjust for more sweetness, acidity, salt, or spices). For a super smooth sauce, blend again in batches or with an immersion blender.
5

Let the sauce cool completely before storing it in the fridge. Leftover BBQ sauce will keep for at least a week.