Sweet and Smoky Raspberry BBQ Sauce (Perfect for Grilling!)
This homemade Raspberry BBQ Sauce is sweet, tangy, and smoky — perfect for glazing ribs, chicken, pork, or anything you throw on the grill. Easy and addictive!
👩🍳 Get Saucy: Sweet and Smoky Raspberry BBQ Sauce Recipe
If you love a sweet and tangy BBQ sauce that brings just the right amount of smoky depth, you’re going to be obsessed with this homemade Raspberry BBQ Sauce recipe. It’s the perfect balance of bright berry flavor, a hint of vinegar tang, and that slow-smoked taste we all crave when grilling season hits. Whether you’re glazing ribs, brushing it over juicy grilled chicken, or drizzling it on pulled pork sandwiches, this small-batch BBQ sauce makes everything taste like a backyard feast.
What sets this raspberry barbecue sauce apart is the double hit of real raspberries — raspberry vinegar for tang and raspberry preserves for rich, fruity sweetness. A little liquid smoke ties it all together, making it the kind of fruit-based BBQ sauce that keeps you coming back for “just one more bite.” It’s an easy raspberry BBQ sauce you can whip up in one pot and it’s versatile enough to work as a raspberry glaze for meat or a bold dipping sauce on the side.
If you’ve been looking for a fun twist on traditional BBQ sauce, this smoky raspberry sauce is it — fresh, fast, and ridiculously good on just about anything you throw on the grill. Let’s get cooking!
🛒 Recipe Ingredient List
🥣 Quick and Easy Raspberry BBQ Sauce for Ribs, Chicken, and Pork
Grab a large, heavy saucepan. Toss in brown sugar, red raspberry vinegar (see substitutes above), molasses, honey, worcestershire sauce, yellow mustard, liquid smoke and chicli powder. Mix well.
Place your saucepan over medium heat and bring it all to a simmer. Let it bubble for about 5 minutes to dissolve the ingredients fully
Stir in 7½ cups ketchup and ½ cup raspberry preserves until well combined. Bring it to a boil, and season with salt and pepper to taste.
Reduce the heat and let your sauce simmer, uncovered, for about 30 minutes. Stir often as the sauce thickens and darkens. Your kitchen will smell incredible!
Optional Smoky Flavor: If you want to take it to the next level, pour your sauce into an aluminum pan and place it in your smoker at a low temperature for 1-2 hours. This extra step deepens the smoky flavor and is so worth it.
Once cooled, pour the sauce into jars and let it chill in the fridge before adding lids. It’ll keep well for several months!
Make 1 pint of Raspberry Barbecue Sauce
- 1 tbsp dark brown sugar
- 3 tbsp red raspberry vinegar
- 1 tbsp + 1 tsp molasses
- 1 tbsp + 1 tsp honey
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1½ tsp yellow mustard
- ¾ tsp liquid smoke
- ¼ tsp chili powder
- 1 cup + 2 tbsp ketchup
- 1 tbsp + 1 tsp raspberry preserves
Notes—
- Taste and tweak: If you want it tangier, bump the vinegar or mustard just a touch. For sweeter, add a smidge more raspberry preserves or honey.
- Simmer gently over medium-low heat for 10–15 minutes until thick and glossy.
- Storage: Let it cool, then pop it in a sterilized pint jar. Store in the fridge for a few months.
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Sweet and Smoky Raspberry BBQ Sauce (Perfect for Grilling!)
Ingredients
- 8 tbsp Dark Brown Sugar
- 1 cup red raspberry vinegar
- ½ cup molasses
- ½ cup honey
- ½ cup Worcestershire sauce
- 4 tbsp yellow mustard
- 2 tbsp liquid smoke
- 2 tsp chili powder
- 7½ cups ketchup
- ½ cup raspberry preserves
Instructions
- In a large, deep, heavy saucepan, combine the following ingredients: 8 tbsp Dark Brown Sugar, 1 cup red raspberry vinegar, ½ cup molasses, ½ cup honey, ½ cup Worcestershire sauce, 4 tbsp yellow mustard, 2 tbsp liquid smoke and 2 tsp chili powder.
- Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring the mixture to a simmer. Cook for around 5 minutes, or until all the ingredients have dissolved. Once dissolved, add 7½ cups ketchup and ½ cup raspberry preserves and stir well. Bring the mixture to a boil. Add salt and pepper to taste.
- Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer, uncovered, for about 30 minutes. Stir often until the sauce becomes dark, thick, and richly flavored.
- If you want to smoke the barbecue sauce, transfer it to an aluminum pan or other smoker-friendly pan. Smoke at a low temperature for 1-2 hours. Once smoked (if desired), transfer the sauce to jars and allow it to cool before adding the lids.
- Store the sauce in the refrigerator; it will keep for several months. Or can it for longer term storage.
Notes
Substitutions
Storage
Nutrition
FAQs
Can I make this a smoky raspberry sauce without a smoker?
Absolutely. Thanks to the liquid smoke, you’ll still get that deep, smoky flavor without needing to actually smoke the sauce. But if you want to go the extra mile, pop it into a smoker for an hour or two for even bolder flavor.
Is this a good raspberry glaze for meat like ribs and chicken?
Yes! This sweet and tangy BBQ sauce is perfect for glazing ribs, chicken, pork, and even burgers. Brush it on during the last few minutes of grilling for that sticky, glossy finish everyone loves.
Can I adjust how sweet or smoky it is?
Definitely. If you like a sweeter sauce, add a little extra honey or brown sugar. If you love it smokier, bump up the liquid smoke or give it more time in the smoker. It’s super customizable depending on what you’re craving.
Is this raspberry BBQ sauce spicy?
Not really—it has a gentle warmth from the chili powder, but it’s mostly sweet, tangy, and smoky. If you want a spicy raspberry barbecue sauce, you could add a pinch of cayenne or a splash of hot sauce.
Serving Suggestions
This sweet and smoky raspberry BBQ sauce is a total game-changer when it comes to backyard cooking. It’s perfect as a bbq sauce for ribs, chicken, or pork, adding a sticky, glossy layer of flavor that makes every bite unforgettable. Brush it on during the last few minutes of grilling or smoking for that perfect caramelized finish. It also makes a fantastic raspberry glaze for meat like pork tenderloin, grilled chicken wings, or even juicy meatballs if you’re feeling creative.
Don’t stop at meat, though—this easy BBQ sauce for grilling is just as delicious drizzled over veggie kabobs, spooned onto burgers, or used as a bold dipping sauce for fries. You can even swirl a little of this smoky raspberry sauce into baked beans or spread it onto a sandwich for a fruity, tangy twist. However you serve it, this homemade raspberry BBQ sauce brings sweet, tangy, smoky magic to anything hot off the grill.
More Backyard Barbecue Recipes!
If you love this sweet and smoky raspberry BBQ sauce, you’ll definitely want to check out some of my other bold and flavorful barbecue recipes. For another sweet and rich sauce, try my Sweet and Smoky Bourbon BBQ Sauce—it’s loaded with deep caramel notes and a little boozy kick that’s perfect for ribs or brisket. Craving something tangy and vinegar-forward? My Carolina Style Barbecue Sauce brings that classic sharp bite that’s made for pulled pork sandwiches.
If you’re looking for complete meals packed with barbecue flavor, don’t miss my Korean BBQ Beef Bowl for a savory, saucy twist on a quick dinner, or my BBQ Chicken Flatbread with Candied Bacon—topped with juicy chicken, sweet candied bacon, caramelized onions, and apples for the ultimate sweet-savory bite. For classic cookout vibes, my Barbecue Chicken never goes out of style—simple, juicy, and full of smoky goodness.
And if ribs are your thing, you have to try my Blackberry Whiskey 321 Ribs. They’re fall-off-the-bone tender with a bold blackberry glaze that’s pure magic. For wing lovers, spice things up with Nashville Hot Chicken Lollipops or Nashville Hot Smoked Chicken Wings—both bring the perfect fiery crunch that’ll have you licking your fingers. You have to know about my Nashville Hot Seasoning Blend. It’s extra special. And don’t forget the Rowdy Ranch Chicken Wings, slathered in creamy, herby ranch sauce with a smoky finish.
For something a little different but just as unforgettable, my Raspberry Chicken blends sweet raspberries, spicy cayenne, and tangy Dijon mustard into a mouthwatering dinner that’s packed with flavor and perfect for weeknights when you want something a little special.