Our Favorite Grapefruit Barbecue Sauce Recipes
If you're tired of store-bought barbecue sauces and want something with a fresh, bold,
and natural taste, grapefruit is a great place to start! There are fantastic homemade grapefruit barbecue sauce recipes that blend sweet and tart in a way that stands out!
Keep reading to check out some flavorful barbecue sauce recipes you can make at home!
Key Takeaways
- Summer citrus, maple grapefruit, grapefruit chipotle, and spicy citrus barbecue sauces are some of our favorite grapefruit barbecue sauce recipes you can try at home.
- Each of our favorite sauces is quick to make and perfect for weekend grilling.
- If you're going for that sweet, tangy flavor, using red grapefruit juice in your barbecue sauce recipe is a great choice.
Summer Citrus BBQ Sauce Recipe
Summer citrus barbecue sauce is light and mildly tangy. It has a refreshing flavor that doesn’t weigh down the meal. It's best suited for grilled chicken, seafood, or recipes where you want the sauce to complement the main dish. Here's how to make this grapefruit barbecue sauce recipe:
Ingredients
- 1 Rio red grapefruit, juiced
- ¼ cup of lime juice
- ½ cup of orange juice
- ½ tablespoon of salt
- 1 tablespoon of honey
- ⅔ cup of tomato paste
- ½ cup of red grapefruit juice
- 1 tablespoon of white vinegar
- 1 tablespoon of onion powder
- 1 tablespoon of yellow mustard
- 1 tablespoon of crushed garlic
- ½ teaspoon of green chili pepper
Directions
- Add your grapefruit juice and the other ingredients to a saucepan and bring the mixture to a boil.
- Lower the heat and let it simmer, stirring frequently, for 8 to 10 minutes until it thickens into a sauce.
- Use the homemade BBQ sauce to coat your favorite meats and cook. Or put the sauce in an airtight container for later use.
Maple Grapefruit Homemade Barbecue Sauce Recipe
Maple grapefruit barbecue sauce is sweet but still a bit tangy. It has a smooth, steady flavor and makes a good option if you’re looking for something different from the usual BBQ sauce.
Ingredients
- ½ cup of ketchup
- ¼ cup of maple syrup
- A few drops of hot sauce
- 1 teaspoon of dijon mustard
- ¼ teaspoon of garlic powder
- 1 cup of fresh red grapefruit juice
- 1 teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce
Directions
- Pour the grapefruit juice and the maple syrup into a saucepan.
- Bring to a low simmer over medium-high heat for a few minutes.
- In a separate bowl, mix the simmered mixture with the other ingredients.
- Return the combined mixture to the saucepan and simmer gently for about 1 hour, stirring frequently, until the sauce thickens.
- Use the finished sauce to coat slow-cooked or grilled meats, or serve it on the side. Then let it cool before storing it in a sealed container.
Spicy Citrus Barbecue Sauce
Spicy citrus barbecue sauce is moderately spicy with a bright citrus flavor. It adds just enough heat to make the dish better without overwhelming it. This BBQ sauce works especially well with grilled meats that can handle a touch of boldness. This just might be the best BBQ sauce you've ever tasted!
Ingredients
- 1 clove of garlic
- ¼ cup of tomato paste
- ¼ medium red onion
- 1 teaspoon of dry mustard
- ¼ cup of packed light brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon of seasoned salt
- ¼ teaspoon of cayenne pepper
- 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce
- ½ teaspoon of fresh ground black pepper
- 2 Texas Rio red grapefruits, juiced
Directions
- Mince your garlic and dice your onion. In a medium saucepan, cook both ingredients till they're tender.
- Add the grapefruit juice and remaining ingredients and cook on medium heat for about 10 minutes.
- To enjoy this spicy citrus BBQ sauce, brush it over your grilled chicken wings or ribs during the last five minutes of grilling. Then serve with extra sauce on the side for dipping.
Grapefruit-Chipotle Barbecue Sauce
The grapefruit chipotle barbecue sauce is flavorful with just the right amount of heat. It's a great choice for grilled meats or as a standout dipping sauce. For a bit of spicy BBQ sauce, try adding some chili powder to taste.
Ingredients
- 1 cup of water
- 4 cloves of garlic
- 3 cups of ketchup
- ¼ cup of molasses
- 1 tablespoon of salt
- 1 cup of white onion
- 1 cup of cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons of butter
- ½ cups of dark brown sugar
- 7-oz. can of chipotle peppers in adobo
- 2 Texas Rio red grapefruits, juiced
- 1 tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon Chipotle Tabasco sauce
Directions
- Peel and mince your onion and garlic.
- Using a small knife, cut the chipotle peppers and remove the seeds. Wash your hands once you're done. Then go ahead and remove the stems.
- Place the peppers in a blender along with the adobo sauce from the can, and blend until smooth.
- Get a large nonstick pot and set it over medium heat. Put in the butter, then add the onion. Let it cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally as it softens.
- Add the garlic to the pot and stir frequently for about two minutes, until both the onions and garlic are soft.
- Then add the blended pepper, grapefruit juice, and remaining ingredients. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat, and simmer for 15–20 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until the sauce thickens.
- Taste and adjust salt if desired.
Use Texas Rio Red Grapefruit for Your Homemade BBQ Sauces
From pulled pork sandwiches to hot dogs, no matter what you’re grilling, it’ll taste better topped with some absolutely delicious grapefruit barbecue sauce. If you're looking to change your routine or do better than store-bought BBQ sauce, trying a grapefruit barbecue sauce recipe is a great start. Each one offers its own bold twist on sweet, tangy, and spicy flavors.
At Winter Sweetz, we grow fresh, juicy Texas Rio red grapefruit. These fantastic grapefruits pair perfectly with just about any summer recipe. While the season is currently over, now’s a great time to get ahead. Sign up for our newsletter to know exactly when our grapefruits are back in stock.
Do you want the best grapefruit for your homemade sauces? Sign up for our newsletter and be the first to know when our grapefruit is back in season.