Joe’s Finishing Sauce

Joe’s Finishing Sauce is a versatile and flavorful sauce that adds the perfect finishing touch to grilled meats. Whether used as a marinade, brushed over meats during their last minute on the grill, or served as a dipping sauce, this sauce enhances the flavors of your favorite barbecue dishes. The combination of ingredients, including olive oil, onion, garlic, brown sugar, maple syrup, bourbon, cider vinegar, dark cocoa powder, coriander, allspice, nutmeg, thyme, cinnamon, chipotle chiles, habanero chile, ketchup, water, and salt, creates a rich and complex profile that complements Joe’s Soak Sauce (previous page) beautifully.

INGREDIENTS:

• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, coarsely chopped
• 6 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 1/3 cup maple syrup
• 1/4 cup bourbon
• 1 cup cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon unsweetened dark cocoa powder
• 1 tablespoon ground coriander
• 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon ground thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 8 medium dried chipotle chiles, stemmed
• 1 fresh habanero chile, stemmed
• 1 (14-ounce) bottle ketchup
• 1 1/2 cups water
• Salt

PREPARATIONS:

1. Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
2. Sauté the onion and garlic in the pot until soft.
3. Lower the heat and add the brown sugar, maple syrup, bourbon, cider vinegar, dark cocoa powder, coriander, allspice, nutmeg, thyme, and cinnamon to the pot.
4. Cook and reduce the mixture for 5 to 10 minutes.
5. Cut the chipotle chiles in half and add them to the pot along with the habanero chile, ketchup, water, and salt to taste.
6. Cook the sauce over low heat for 1 1/2 hours, covered, stirring occasionally. Add more water if the sauce becomes thicker than ketchup.
7. Let the sauce cool, then transfer it to a blender and purée until smooth.
8. Pour the sauce into bottles and seal them according to the storage instructions on page 51.
9. Refrigerate the sauce, and it will keep for up to 3 weeks.

YIELD: makes for 3 1/2 cups

Joe’s Finishing Sauce is a labor of love, with its complex flavors and lengthy cooking time. The sautéed onion and garlic create a fragrant base, while the combination of brown sugar, maple syrup, and bourbon adds sweetness and depth. The addition of cider vinegar lends a tangy note that balances the richness of the sauce.

The dark cocoa powder provides a subtle earthy undertone, while the spices—coriander, allspice, nutmeg, thyme, and cinnamon—add complexity and a hint of warmth. The chipotle chiles and habanero chile bring a smoky and fiery kick, making this sauce perfect for those who enjoy a bit of heat in their barbecue.

The final step of puréeing the sauce in a blender ensures a smooth and velvety consistency, allowing the flavors to meld together harmoniously. Bottling and refrigerating the sauce allows it to further develop its flavors over time, making it even more delicious as it ages.

Joe’s Finishing Sauce is a fantastic addition to any grilled meat, adding a layer of flavor that takes your dishes to new heights. Whether you’re brushing it on during the final minutes of grilling or using it as a marinade, this sauce is sure to impress your guests and elevate your barbecue experience.