Wild Blueberry BBQ Sauce

The creation of this wild blueberry barbecue sauce was a happy accident, like many of my recipes. I started out trying to jazz up a homemade ketchup with different spices, but as fate—and my ADHD—would have it, my concoction veered off course. With the added spices and sweetness, the flavor unmistakably became barbecue, not ketchup. It was a tasty oops moment!

The only thing off was the color. It lacked that deep red hue typical of barbecue sauces. Then it hit me: wild blueberries. Their subtle sweetness and blue hues could give this sauce the rich, deep red color I was looking for, plus all the added healing benefits of the amazing wild blueberry.

As the wild blueberries simmered with the spices, they infused the sauce with the rich color I was looking for and a lovely fruity kick. I’m thrilled to share this healing barbecue sauce with you, and I hope you love it just as much as I do!

Ingredients: 

• 1 1/2 cups strained tomato sauce (passata) 
• 1/2 cup wild blueberries
• 3 tbsp raw honey
• 3 tbsp maple syrup
• 2 tsp onion powder
• 1 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
• 2 whole cloves (the spice)
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tsp chipotle powder (optional, but adds a smoky flavor combined with a mild heat)
• 1 tsp sea salt

Instructions

1. Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.
2. Transfer the mixture to a saucepan and cook over medium heat.
3. Once it starts bubbling, lower the heat to a simmer and allow it to thicken for 15 minutes. Remove from heat and serve. 

Serves 3

Notes: 

• This BBQ sauce works well as a dip for potatoes, smothered over cauliflower wings, in a veggie burger, or BBQ beans. 
• Taste the sauce as you go and adjust the sweetness level according to your preference. You can add more honey or maple syrup if you like a sweeter sauce or reduce the amount if you prefer it to be less sweet.
• Feel free to experiment with additional spices to customize the flavor profile of the sauce. For example, you could add a pinch of cayenne pepper for heat, or some ground mustard for a hint of tanginess.

Learn More:

Read about the healing benefits of wild blueberries in this Medical Medium blog entry.

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