Peach BBQ Sauce

This spicy Peach BBQ sauce is delicious on these juicy spice-rubbed grilled chicken thighs (and would be perfect on ribs or shrimp, too!).

Peach Barbecue Sauce: You’re going to love this recipe!

Bold and Spicy: This Peach BBQ Sauce packs a smoky-sweet punch that perfectly complements juicy grilled chicken. It turns out peaches make one seriously amazing BBQ sauce. The flavour of the peaches was wonderfully prominent in the sauce, in fact it actually surprised me just how peachy it is. The ginger and chipotle give it wonderful heat, and the vinegar brings out the tartness of the peach.  It is balanced, and definitely not too sweet (which can be a problem for me with fruity barbecue sauces). It is so delicious brushed over crispy, flame-kissed, spice-rubbed chicken thighs.
Perfect for Grilling Season: Tailor-made for warm summer evenings spent on the patio. Fire up the grill and savor every delicious bite. Who doesn’t love juicy, flavorful chicken smothered in bold sauce?
Versatile: We like barbecue (and most other things) spicy in our house – I used 1 1/2 teaspoons of chipotle powder and it was definitely hot.  Start with 1 teaspoon (or even 3/4 teaspoon, if you prefer to keep things mild).
Got extra Peach BBQ Sauce? The sauce would be delicious on seafood like salmon or shrimp skewers, or on grilled pork tenderloin , too. I’d use the same spice rub for either. We have some sauce (and lots of peaches) left, so I will probably try one or both.
Peach lover? Triple down on juicy peach season with this peach sangria, peach caprese salad, and/or a delicious Peach Cobbler Pound Cake for dessert.

Gather Your Ingredients

Before you get started, gather all the ingredients you’ll need for this recipe. Here’s a quick rundown of what you’ll need and what each ingredient does:

Here’s what’s in the Peach BBQ Sauce:

Vegetable oil: used for cooking the onion, garlic, and ginger
Onion: adds flavor and texture to the sauce
Garlic: adds flavor to the sauce
Ginger: adds a subtle, spicy flavor to the sauce
Peaches: the star of the show, the peaches give the sauce its sweetness and fruity flavor
Apple Cider vinegar: adds tangy acidity to the sauce
Brown sugar: adds sweetness and depth of flavor to the sauce. You could swap in honey if you like
Soy sauce: adds saltiness and umami flavor to the sauce
Kosher salt: enhances the flavor of the sauce
Ground chipotle: adds heat to the sauce. Add more or less to taste
Water: helps thin out the sauce to the desired consistency

Here’s what’s in the Grilled Chicken Thighs and Spice Rub:

Paprika: adds a smoky, sweet flavor to the chicken
Ground cumin: adds a warm, earthy flavor to the chicken
Kosher salt: enhances the flavor of the chicken
Allspice: adds a sweet and spicy flavor to the chicken
Black pepper: adds a subtle heat to the chicken
Bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs: the main event, the chicken thighs will be coated in the spice rub and grilled to perfection

How to make grilled Chicken with Peach BBQ Sauce

Start with the Peach BBQ Sauce

In a medium saucepan, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until translucent, then add the garlic and ginger and cook for another minute. Add the peaches, cider vinegar, brown sugar, soy sauce, kosher salt, and ground chipotle (starting with less if you’re sensitive to spice), along with 1/4 cup of water. Simmer until the peaches are tender, then transfer the mixture to a blender and carefully puree until smooth. Reserve 1/2 cup of the sauce for basting the chicken, and transfer the rest to a dish for serving at the table.

Now prep the chicken

Prepare the chicken: In a small bowl, stir together the paprika, cumin, kosher salt, allspice, and black pepper. Rub the mixture all over the chicken thighs, making sure to get it under the skin as well. Let the chicken sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before grilling.
Grill the chicken: Preheat the grill over medium heat for 10 minutes. Grill the chicken skin-side down over direct heat for about 8 minutes, until the skin is crispy. Watch for flare-ups, and move the chicken to the unlit side of the grill as needed. Flip the chicken and continue cooking over indirect heat for 15 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through.
Baste the chicken with BBQ sauce: Brush both sides of the chicken with the reserved BBQ sauce and continue cooking until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165ºF or until the juices

Make Ahead and Storage Tips:

Sauce in Advance: The Peach BBQ Sauce can be made up to two days ahead of time and stored in the fridge. That means less prep work on the day of your cookout!
Spice Overnight: For even more flavor, marinate the chicken in the spice rub overnight. It’ll be even juicier and more flavorful when you grill it up.
Freeze for Later: Cook up a big batch of this peach barbecue sauce recipe and freeze the leftovers in sealed glass jars for later. It’ll taste just as delicious when you reheat it, and you’ll have an easy meal on hand for busy nights.

All the peaches! All the barbecue!

Last Updated on April 20, 2023 by Jennifer Pallian BSc, RD