How to Make Bourbon Sauce for Grilling: Sweet, Smoky, and Perfect with Arteflame

Introduction

If you’ve ever searched for the perfect bourbon sauce for grilling, this is it. Bourbon sauce is rich, slightly smoky, and packed with flavor — the ideal glaze or dipping sauce for steaks, chicken, pork, seafood, and even grilled vegetables.

On an Arteflame grill, you can create this bourbon sauce right alongside your main dish, taking advantage of the flat-top griddle and its multiple heat zones. The result? A bold, sweet, and tangy sauce that enhances your food’s natural flavors while complementing the 1,000°F sear that Arteflame is known for.

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🥘 Ingredients for Bourbon Sauce

• 1/2 cup bourbon

• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar

• 1/4 cup ketchup

• 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar

• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

• 2 tablespoons soy sauce

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 small onion, finely chopped

• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter

• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

• 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional for smokiness)

• A pinch of red pepper flakes (optional for heat)

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🔥 Step-by-Step: How to Make Bourbon Sauce on the Grill

Step 1: Fire Up the Arteflame Grill

Light your Arteflame grill by placing oil-soaked napkins in the base, stacking firewood, and igniting. In 20 minutes, the flat cooktop will be hot with different temperature zones, perfect for cooking sauces and searing meats at the same time.

Step 2: Sauté the Onions and Garlic

Place a small cast-iron pan on the outer cooktop ring where the heat is moderate. Melt butter, then add chopped onions and garlic. Sauté 3–5 minutes until softened and aromatic.

Step 3: Add the Bourbon and Liquids

Pour in the bourbon and let it simmer 2–3 minutes to cook off most of the alcohol while keeping the rich flavor. Stir in brown sugar, ketchup, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, mustard, black pepper, and smoked paprika.

Step 4: Simmer Until Thickened

Move the pan to a slightly hotter zone of the Arteflame cooktop. Simmer for 10–15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens to a glaze-like consistency. For a thinner sauce, add a splash of water or extra bourbon.

Step 5: Taste and Adjust

Season to taste. Add more pepper for bite, smoked paprika for depth, or red pepper flakes for heat. Simmer 1–2 more minutes to let the flavors blend.

Step 6: Serve or Store

Remove the pan from the grill. Brush bourbon sauce onto meats during the last 5 minutes of grilling or serve as a dipping sauce. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to a week.

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🔧 Tips for Perfect Bourbon Sauce

• Use the Arteflame’s heat zones: Outer ring = gentle simmer, center grate = high heat for searing meats.

• Non-alcoholic option: Substitute bourbon with apple juice or cider for a similar sweet depth.

• For thicker sauce: Simmer longer or whisk in a slurry of 1 teaspoon cornstarch + 1 tablespoon water.

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🍯 Bourbon Sauce Variations

• Maple Bourbon Sauce: Replace brown sugar with maple syrup.

• Spicy Honey Bourbon Sauce: Add honey + hot sauce for sweet heat.

• Smoky Chipotle Bourbon Sauce: Stir in minced chipotle in adobo.

• Pineapple Bourbon Sauce: Add pineapple juice for a tropical twist.

• Mustard Bourbon Sauce: Increase Dijon and add whole-grain mustard.

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🍴 Best Pairings for Bourbon Sauce

This versatile sauce pairs beautifully with:

• Grilled Steaks: Ribeye, sirloin, or strip steak seared at 1,000°F.

• Pork Chops or Tenderloin: Sweet bourbon glaze balances pork’s richness.

• Chicken Thighs or Drumsticks: Juicy chicken meets bold sauce.

• Grilled Salmon or Shrimp: A smoky-sweet finish for seafood.

• Vegetables: Carrots, zucchini, and bell peppers soak up the flavor.

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🏆 Conclusion

Making bourbon sauce on the Arteflame grill is simple, flavorful, and the perfect way to elevate your backyard cooking. The sweet, smoky glaze complements everything from juicy pork chops to grilled vegetables — and with Arteflame’s unique flat-top design, you can prepare the sauce and the main dish side by side.

👉 Ready to take your grilling to the next level? Explore the Arteflame Store and discover why home chefs and grill enthusiasts choose Arteflame for unmatched performance and versatility.