Mexican Chocolate BBQ Sauce Recipe
This smoky-sweet Mexican Chocolate BBQ Sauce is rich with dark chocolate, chipotle heat, and mole-style spices like cinnamon and cumin. It is perfect for slathering over grilled meats or veggies.
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil or avocado oil
- 1 small onion finely chopped
- 3 –4 garlic cloves minced
- ¼ cup tomato paste
- ½ cup apple cider vinegar
- ⅓ cup brown sugar or maple syrup
- 1 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 to 1.5 oz Mexican chocolate Ibarra, Taza, or Abuelita
- ¼ cup brewed coffee or espresso optional
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 –2 tsp chipotle powder or 1 chipotle in adobo sauce minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
- ½ to ¾ cup water adjust to desired thickness
Instructions
- Heat oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add chopped onions and cook for 4–5 minutes until soft. Add garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Stir in tomato paste and cook for 2–3 minutes until it darkens slightly.
- Add smoked paprika, cumin, cinnamon, chipotle, salt, and pepper. Let them toast for 30–45 seconds.
- Pour in apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, brewed coffee (optional), and a splash of water. Stir well.
- Add brown sugar or maple syrup and crumble in Mexican chocolate. Stir until fully melted.
- Reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 10–15 minutes until thick, stirring occasionally.
- (Optional) Blend for a smoother texture using immersion or regular blender.
- Taste and adjust flavors. Let cool before storing in a jar.
Notes
This isn’t just a simple BBQ sauce — it’s smoky, chocolate-spiced. The kind of sauce people taste once and never forget... but keep asking you for the recipe again and again.