Guava BBQ Sauce From Scratch (Printable)

Sweet and tangy guava-based sauce with smoky spices and balanced acidity. Ideal for glazing, dipping, or marinating your favorite grilled dishes.

# What You'll Need:

→ Base

01 - 1 cup guava paste, chopped
02 - 1 cup water
03 - 1/3 cup apple cider vinegar

→ Aromatics

04 - 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
05 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
06 - 1 tablespoon olive oil

→ Spices & Flavor

07 - 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
08 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
09 - 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
10 - 1 teaspoon chili powder
11 - 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
12 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
13 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
14 - 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, optional

→ Sweetness & Balance

15 - 2 tablespoons brown sugar
16 - 1 tablespoon molasses
17 - 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

→ Final Touch

18 - 1 tablespoon soy sauce or tamari for gluten-free

# How to Make It:

01 - Heat olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add chopped onion and sauté for 3 to 4 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more.
02 - Add guava paste, water, and apple cider vinegar to the saucepan. Stir until guava paste begins to dissolve into the liquid.
03 - Add smoked paprika, cumin, black pepper, chili powder, allspice, cinnamon, salt, and red pepper flakes if using. Stir well to distribute spices evenly.
04 - Stir in brown sugar, molasses, Dijon mustard, and soy sauce. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are fully combined.
05 - Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, stirring often. Reduce heat to low and cook uncovered for 15 to 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened and glossy in appearance.
06 - Remove from heat and let cool slightly. Blend the sauce with an immersion blender until smooth, or transfer to a standard blender for processing.
07 - Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Let cool completely before transferring to a clean jar. Refrigerate for up to 2 weeks.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Unique Tropical Flavor: A refreshing departure from standard BBQ sauces using the sweetness of guava.
  • Quick to Prepare: Takes only 30 minutes from start to finish.
  • Clean Ingredients: No ketchup or high-fructose corn syrup, focusing on real spices and molasses.
  • Diet-Friendly: Naturally vegan and easily adaptable for gluten-free diets.
02 -
  • Texture Control: If the sauce is too thin, simmer it for a few extra minutes uncovered. If it's too thick, add a splash of water.
  • Gluten-Free Needs: Be sure to use tamari instead of regular soy sauce to keep this recipe safe for gluten-free diets.
  • Storage: The sauce keeps well in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks when stored in a clean, airtight glass jar.
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