Weekends are for indulging, and what better way to celebrate than with a delicious, homemade Jack Daniel's sauce? This copycat recipe captures the rich, smoky, and subtly sweet flavor profile of the famous Fridays sauce, without the restaurant price tag. It's surprisingly easy to make and perfect for drizzling over your favorite grilled meats, chicken, or even vegetables. Get ready to elevate your Friday night (or any night!) dinners with this easy and delicious recipe!
Ingredients: You'll Need These Simple Staples
This recipe uses readily available ingredients, making it perfect for a quick weeknight dinner.
- 1 cup ketchup
- 1/4 cup Jack Daniel's Tennessee Whiskey (or your favorite bourbon)
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar, packed
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce (low sodium preferred)
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions: Let's Get Cooking!
This recipe is straightforward and takes less than 15 minutes to prepare.
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Combine Ingredients: In a medium saucepan, whisk together the ketchup, Jack Daniel's, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper.
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Simmer and Thicken: Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce has slightly thickened.
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Taste and Adjust: Taste the sauce and adjust the seasonings to your preference. You might want to add more brown sugar for extra sweetness, or a dash more vinegar for acidity. A pinch of cayenne pepper adds a nice kick.
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Cool and Serve: Remove the sauce from the heat and let it cool slightly before serving. The flavors will meld beautifully as it cools.
Cooking Tips for the Perfect Sauce
- Use Quality Ingredients: The better the ingredients, the better the sauce will taste. Look for a good quality ketchup and your favorite bourbon.
- Don't Boil: Simmering the sauce gently prevents it from becoming too thick and prevents the alcohol from burning off too quickly.
- Storage: Store leftover sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. It also freezes beautifully!
Variations: Tailor it to Your Taste
- Spicy Jack Daniel's Sauce: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a few dashes of your favorite hot sauce for a spicier version.
- Sweet and Smoky Jack Daniel's Sauce: Increase the brown sugar to 3 tablespoons for a sweeter and more caramelized flavor.
- BBQ Jack Daniel's Sauce: Add 1 tablespoon of your favorite BBQ rub for an extra layer of smoky flavor.
Nutritional Information (Per Serving - approximate, based on 1/4 cup serving)
- Calories: Approximately 80
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Sodium: 180mg
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Sugar: 15g
- Protein: 1g
This nutritional information is an estimate and may vary depending on the specific ingredients used.
This homemade Jack Daniel's sauce is a fantastic addition to any meal. It’s incredibly versatile, perfect for quick dinner ideas and makes a delicious topping for grilled chicken, steak, ribs, or even vegetables. Enjoy!