This BBQ sauce is infused with coffee and dark chocolate for a bold, deeply rich flavor. The smoky, sweet and tangy combination is delicious brushed over proteins, roasted vegetables or used as a dip. It’s naturally sweetened with dates, so it’s free of refined sugar.
I love BBQ sauce — it’s one of those versatile condiments you can use on almost anything. Slather it on grilled or baked proteins, brush it on cauliflower wings, dip fries in it, spread it in sandwiches… whenever you want a flavour boost, BBQ sauce delivers.
What makes this version distinctive is that it’s sweetened with dates (no refined sugar) and subtly enhanced with coffee and chocolate. Coffee and dark chocolate add depth and complexity to savoury sauces without making them taste like dessert. They act as “kakushi aji” — a hidden flavor — a technique I learned from Japanese curry where small additions (like apples, miso or kombu) round out and deepen the overall profile.
The coffee and chocolate in this sauce don’t make it taste like mocha; instead they enrich the base flavors and amplify the smoky, tangy and sweet notes. The result is a sophisticated, well-rounded BBQ sauce that pairs beautifully with many dishes.
I keep this sauce in my fridge alongside other homemade favorites. It’s a pantry-friendly recipe made with common ingredients, easy to prepare and great for meal prep.
Why this Chocolate Coffee Infused BBQ Sauce is amazing
- Tangy
- Smoky
- Deep, layered flavor
- Date-sweetened (no refined sugar)
- Vegan
- Extremely versatile and delicious
Tips and tricks
- If you use a no-sugar or low-salt ketchup as a base, taste and adjust the vinegar and spices since ketchup already contains some sweetness and acidity.
- Brew the coffee strong for the best flavor — about 1/2 cup of strong brewed coffee works well.
- Choose a good-quality dark chocolate (a small square of 70%+ works nicely) to deepen the sauce.
- Soft dates blend more easily, but firmer dates will soften during cooking and blend fine afterward.
- This sauce is excellent on cauliflower wings, baked tofu, grilled vegetables, burgers and as a dipping sauce.
If you try this Chocolate Coffee BBQ Sauce, I’d love to hear how you liked it — leave a comment or tag your photos on Instagram @Okonomikitchen.
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Chocolate Coffee BBQ Sauce
- Author: Lisa Kitahara
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 2 cups
Description
This BBQ sauce is infused with coffee and dark chocolate for a bold, rich flavour. The smoky, sweet and tangy combination is perfect brushed over proteins or roasted vegetables. Naturally sweetened with dates, it’s free from refined sugar.
Ingredients
- 1 can tomato sauce (400 g)
- 1/2 cup strong brewed coffee
- 1 tbsp soy sauce (use tamari for gluten-free)
- 1.5 tbsp molasses
- 1 tbsp vinegar (apple cider or balsamic)
- 1 tsp each: garlic powder, onion powder, paprika
- 1/4 cup soft dates (about 40 g)
- 1 square dark chocolate (about 10 g)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients except the chocolate in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a strong simmer and cook for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Remove from heat and stir in the dark chocolate until melted and incorporated.
- Transfer the mixture to a high-speed blender and blend until completely smooth. Allow to cool before using.
- Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 10 days.
Notes
- For gluten-free, use tamari or a certified gluten-free soy sauce.
- This sauce keeps up to 10 days refrigerated.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Condiments
- Method: Stove Top
- Cuisine: North American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 tbsp
- Calories: 24
- Sugar: 3.2 g
- Sodium: 168 mg
- Fat: 0.4 g
- Saturated Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 4.9 g
- Fiber: 0.7 g
- Protein: 0.6 g
- Cholesterol: 0