Cherry-Zinfandel Barbecue Sauce
Photo: Annabelle Breakey; Styling: Karen Shinto
Yields Makes 3 1/2 cups

We've shamelessly put the flavors of Zinfandel into this sauce: dried cherries, anise seeds (Zin often has faint licorice flavors), black pepper, and lots of the wine itself. Prep and Cook Time: about 40 minutes. Notes: You can make this sauce up to 3 days ahead of time; chill airtight, then bring to room temperature before using.

How to Make It

Step 1
1

Pour olive oil into a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onion and garlic and cook, stirring often, until limp, 3 to 4 minutes. Add Zinfandel, ketchup, cherries, vinegar, Worcestershire, brown sugar, mustard, ginger, black pepper, anise seeds, and cayenne. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, until liquid begins to thicken slightly, about 20 minutes. Let cool slightly.

Step 2
2

Pour mixture into a blender and add 2 tbsp. lemon juice; whirl until very smooth. Taste and add more lemon juice if desired. Use warm or at room temperature.

Step 3
3

Note: Nutritional analysis is per 1/4 cup.

Ingredients

 1 tablespoon olive oil
 1 medium onion, chopped
 2 tablespoons chopped garlic
 1 1/2 cups dry red Zinfandel
 1 cup ketchup
 2/3 cup dried tart cherries
 3 tablespoons cider vinegar
 3 tablespoons Worcestershire
 3 tablespoons lightly packed light brown sugar
 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
 2 tablespoons chopped fresh ginger
 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
 1 teaspoon anise seeds
 1/4 teaspoon cayenne
  About 3 tbsp. lemon juice

Directions

Step 1
1

Pour olive oil into a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onion and garlic and cook, stirring often, until limp, 3 to 4 minutes. Add Zinfandel, ketchup, cherries, vinegar, Worcestershire, brown sugar, mustard, ginger, black pepper, anise seeds, and cayenne. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, until liquid begins to thicken slightly, about 20 minutes. Let cool slightly.

Step 2
2

Pour mixture into a blender and add 2 tbsp. lemon juice; whirl until very smooth. Taste and add more lemon juice if desired. Use warm or at room temperature.

Step 3
3

Note: Nutritional analysis is per 1/4 cup.

Cherry-Zinfandel Barbecue Sauce

Search All of Sunset's Recipes