Uncle Shel Badlands Bushwaker Sauce

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Servings: 4 servings Difficulty: Advanced
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A smoky, spicy barbecue sauce with complex layers of chipotle, habanero, and orange notes.
Uncle Shel Badlands Bushwaker Sauce recipe image

This robust “Badlands Bushwaker” sauce delivers a perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and fiery heat. The foundation is built on a rich tomato base sweetened with brown sugar and cider vinegar, then elevated with a splash of bourbon and fresh lemon juice. The star of the show is a custom spice blend featuring toasted whole spices, dried chilies, and a unique orange-habanero-chipotle infused oil. This sauce offers a deep, smoky flavor profile with a noticeable but manageable kick, making it ideal for brushing onto grilled meats in the final minutes of cooking or serving as a bold table condiment.

Uncle Shel Badlands Bushwaker Sauce recipe image
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Uncle Shel Badlands Bushwaker Sauce

Author: chefs-mate Cooking Method: , Cuisine: Courses:
Difficulty: Advanced
Servings: 4 servings Calories: 180
Dietary:
V Vegan

Description

This robust "Badlands Bushwaker" sauce delivers a perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and fiery heat. The foundation is built on a rich tomato base sweetened with brown sugar and cider vinegar, then elevated with a splash of bourbon and fresh lemon juice. The star of the show is a custom spice blend featuring toasted whole spices, dried chilies, and a unique orange-habanero-chipotle infused oil. This sauce offers a deep, smoky flavor profile with a noticeable but manageable kick, making it ideal for brushing onto grilled meats in the final minutes of cooking or serving as a bold table condiment.

Directions

  1. Heat the orange-habanero-chipotle oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat.
  2. Add the chopped onion and sauté until translucent.
  3. Add the minced garlic and reduce heat to medium, cooking for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
  4. Stir in the tomato sauce and mix well to combine with the onion and garlic.
  5. Add the brown sugar, cider vinegar (both amounts), liquid smoke, honey, and lemon/lime juice one at a time, stirring after each addition until dissolved.
  6. In a spice grinder, combine the white peppercorns, black peppercorns, coriander seeds, cumin seeds, fennel seeds, dried chipotles, ancho chili, piquin pods, and whole garlic clove.
  7. Grind the spices until you achieve a medium-fine, somewhat grainy texture.
  8. Transfer the ground spice mix to a small bowl and stir in the ground habanero and paprika.
  9. Gradually add the spice mixture to the sauce, one teaspoon at a time, stirring well and tasting until you reach your desired heat and flavor level.
  10. Stir in the cayenne pepper (if using) and mix thoroughly.
  11. Pour in the bourbon and stir well.
  12. Simmer the sauce on low heat for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, to allow flavors to meld.
  13. Remove from heat and let the sauce steep for at least 30 minutes before serving.

Nutrition Facts

Servings 4 servings

Amount Per Serving
Calories 180kcal
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 1.5g3%
Saturated Fat 0.1g1%
Sodium 120mg5%
Total Carbohydrate 40g14%
Dietary Fiber 1g4%
Sugars 35g
Protein 1g2%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

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