Summer is in full swing and that means gardens are producing plenty of fresh produce.  We’ve been getting a lot of produce in our weekly CSA and my garden is starting to show signs of vegetables growing.  Since we live in a town where it’s cold until May, my garden often blooms and produces well after most others do.
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I’m still in full on canning mode.  I started canning in 2011 because I received a Ball® Home Canning Discovery Kit
My first canning project of the season was BBQ sauce.  It was on my 33 while 33 list and since my birthday is in July, I needed to make this.  Tomatoes are just starting to come into season, but it’s easy to leave the tomatoes for several days until they are almost overly ripe and perfect for canning.  Alternatively, if you don’t have fresh tomatoes (try to get them!) you can use 3 (28 oz) cans of crushed tomatoes.
This BBQ sauce is both sweet from the brown sugar and spicy from the jalapeno peppers.  It does not taste like store bought BBQ sauce so if that’s what you are looking for, this recipe isn’t for you.  I happen to think that this recipe is better then store bought.  It has fresh tomatoes, celery, onion, and peppers as well as the jalapenos and brown sugar.  It doesn’t get much better then that!  It was great to use as a dipping sauce for chicken and as a glaze when grilling. I’m trying hard to save a few jars for the winter but I’m not sure I’m going to make it!
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- 20 c. chopped, cored, peeled, tomatoes
- 2 c. chopped celery
- 2 c. chopped onions
- 1½ c. chopped, seeded bell peppers (I used green and red)
- 2 jalapeno peppers, seeded and chopped
- 2½ c. white vinegar
- 1½ c. lightly packed brown sugar
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 T. dry mustard
- 1 t. black pepper
- 1 t. red pepper
- 1 t. salt
- In a large saucepan, combine the tomatoes, celery, onions, bell peppers, and jalapeno peppers. Bring to a boil over high heat, stirring frequently. Reduce heat, cover and boil gently until vegetables softened, about 30 minutes.
- Transfer to a food processor in batches and process until smooth.
- Return the smooth sauce to the saucepan and add in half the vinegar and half the brown sugar. Bring to a boil over medium high heat, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat and boil gently, stirring every 5 minutes or so. Cook for 45 minutes. The sauce should reduce.
- Add in the remaining vinegar and brown sugar, garlic, mustard, black pepper, red pepper, and salt. Boil gently, stirring frequently, until the mixture is the desired consistency. It will be similar to a thinner bottle BBQ sauce. This will take around 1 hour.
- Meanwhile, prepare a boiling water canner, 8 half pint jars (or 4 pint jars), and lids.
- Ladle the hot BBQ sauce into the hot jars, leaving ½ inch of headspace. Remove the air bubbles and adjust the headspace as needed. Wipe the rims of the jars and place the lids on top. Tighten the screwbands to finger-tip tight.
- Place the jars in a boiling water canner, making sure they are completely covered by water. Bring to a boil. Process the half pints for 30 minutes or the pint jars for 35 minutes. Remove canner from heat and remove the lid. Wait for 5 minutes then remove the jars from the water.
- Let the jars cool for 24 hours then check to make sure the lids have sealed. Store for up to 1 year.
Kaye says
I would like to try this recipe, but will likely opt for the crushed tomatoes. You say that 3- 28 oz. cans (10.5 cups) is equal to 20 cups of fresh tomatoes, correct? I want to be sure because there would be roughly half the amount of canned tomatoes vs. fresh. Unfortunately, I just made 6 – 1-1/2 pints of another barbeque sauce recipe . . . that I absolutely hate. I want to get this one right.
HezziD says
When I used the crushed tomatoes I ended up getting 8 half pints instead of the 10 I got when using fresh tomatoes. If you want the 10 half pints I’d use 4 (28 oz) cans of the crushed tomatoes. In all honesty they tasted very similar and it was much less work using the crushed!
Kaye says
Okay, here goes! Thanks for your help!
HezziD says
Good luck! Let me know how it turns out!
Kaye says
I bought 12 – half pint jars, and used 4 – cans of crushed tomatoes. I ended up filling all of those, plus 2 pint and a half jars . . . and 1 pint jar. It was probably equal to about 20 – half pints. That’s great because now I have enough for gifts, etc. As for the recipe, my family generally doesn’t care much for sweet BBQ sauce, so I reduced the sugar some, and added some lemon juice and more salt. Also added extra spices, and a dash of liquid smoke. I looks like a keeper! 🙂
HezziD says
Awesome! I’m so glad it worked out for you! I love making and canning items as gifts! I actually gave this BBQ sauce to my brother for Christmas and he loved it. The liquid smoke sounds like a great addition.
Kaye says
Sorry, that was bad math. It was closer to 15 half pints not 20.
Darlene says
Is that really 20 cups of chopped tomatoes?
HezziD says
Yes it is! Canning takes a TON of vegetables!