Caribbean Guava BBQ Sauce
I was very excited to find ripe guava in a local grocery store, as I have several recipes I’ve been meaning to share with you that use guava.
Ingredients · Servings 2
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 stalks scallions (finely chopped)
- 6 sprigs thyme (destemmed)
- 1/2 Vadilia onion (large, diced fine)
- 2 cloves garlic (smashed)
- 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoon molasses
- 1 1/4 cup chili sauce
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon hot smoked paprika
- 1/2 cup apple juice
Method · 1 h 15 min
- Wash and trim the tops off the guavas, then cut into segments.
- In a large saucepan, combine the guavas, 3 cups of apple juice, brown sugar, cinnamon stick, cloves, and lime juice. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
- Once boiling, reduce heat to a simmer and cook for 25-30 minutes until guavas are soft.
- In a separate medium saucepan, heat olive oil over low heat. Add scallions, thyme leaves, Vidalia onion, and garlic. Sauté for 4-5 minutes until fragrant.
- Add hot smoked paprika to the sautéed mixture and stir well.
- Stir in tomato paste and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes, ensuring it doesn't burn.
- Deglaze the pan with 1/2 cup apple juice and apple cider vinegar. Increase heat to bring to a boil.
- Add black pepper, salt, molasses, chili sauce, and Worcestershire sauce. Stir to combine.
- Reduce heat to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes.
- Strain the guava mixture through a fine mesh strainer into the saucepan with the sauce base, pressing to extract as much liquid as possible. Discard solids.
- Bring the combined sauce to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook for 35-40 minutes until thickened.
- Use an immersion blender to puree the sauce until smooth. If using a traditional blender, allow the sauce to cool slightly before blending.
This Caribbean Guava BBQ Sauce combines the tropical sweetness of ripe guavas with aromatic spices and herbs, creating a unique and flavorful condiment. The natural sugars in guava caramelize beautifully when grilled, adding depth to meats like chicken, pork, and even seafood. This sauce is a delightful way to bring Caribbean flair to your grilling sessions.
