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Home » Recipes » Sauces and Spice Mixes

Homemade Plum BBQ Sauce

Published: Apr 29, 2023 · Modified: Jul 14, 2023 by Debra Clark · 57 Comments

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Plum BBQ Sauce is the star of this meal. Sweet and just a little spicy it's tangy, tasty, easy to make and perfect with pork, chicken, fish or seafood!

If you love a great sauce on your bbq, be sure to try the Alabama white sauce recipe next, it's perfect for dunking!

Plumb BBQ Sauce in cast iron skillet on grill with kabobs
Veggie Kabob with Plumb BBQ Sauce

Plumb BBQ Sauce

Are you planning a cookout this week?. I know we've been doing a ton of grilling!

If you are too, I have the perfect easy and deliciously tasty sauce for you to mop all over your grilling goodies, Plumb BBQ Sauce!

I find when I'm working with food, I will cook what's in season (that's good!) but then because I'm focusing on that one ingredient, I present several recipes using that ingredient.

Bad? Not sure - you guys tell me! If you get tired of something, don't be afraid to let me know ok? I think earlier this season I must have posted 4 recipes using corn, then strawberries, etc.

Now I've moved onto sweet bell peppers. You know the ones you buy at the store in a bag and there's 12-15 in a bag? It's kinda hard to use them all up, but I hate throwing food away.

Here's what I always say....it can go to waist...but not to waste! 😀  I've put the bell peppers in salads, made sweet pickled peppers and I'm working on an amazing appetizer too. Yum!!

BBQ Sauce in skillet on grill with spoon.
This sauce is super easy to make and you can cook it on the grill.

Plum BBQ Sauce Recipe

Along with those peppers came a pile of plums. They were plump and so sweet. I got a large bag of them at the farmers market and decided to make sauce with them.

You'll love this recipe - it's not your ordinary sauce! AND it's 100 times better than what you get in a bottle.

Using ordinary ingredients that you have on hand, this comes together in a snap! No need to heat up the house either, you can cook it right on the grill.

Ingredients

  • plums
  • catsup
  • brown sugar
  • apple cider vinegar
  • Worcestershire sauce
  • salt
  • pepper
  • red pepper flakes
  • garlic powder
Veggie Kabobs
Grilled Veggie Kabobs

Grilled Veggie Kabobs

I wanted to make kabobs with just peppers....but there wasn't quite enough so I added some zucchini and red onion, but of course use your favorite vegetables.

The true star of this blog is the Plum BBQ Sauce. Sweet and just a little spicy it's perfect for an easy kabob!

Plum BBQ Sauce in skillet with spoon.
What's your favorite kabob?

Plum Barbecue Sauce

Do I need to peel the plums?

Not at all, peeling the plums is not necessary. Just remove the pits and give the plums a rough chop.

I don't have plums, can I substitute another fruit?

Absolutely! Actually, you can use almost any fruit! I would recommend peaches, nectarines or apricots. Strawberries or even blackberries would also be delicious!

If you do substitute another fruit like peaches, nectarines or apricots I wouldn't worry about peeling those either.

What is barbeque sauce made of?

Many barbecue sauces are tomato based and get their tangy from vinegar and spices

Is BBQ sauce unhealthy?

Because many are loaded with sugar and preservatives they sure can be. Making your own sauce helps you control the ingredients.

Instructions

  1. Clean the plum, slice in half remove the pit. 
  2. Give them a rough chop.
  3. Add the plums and remaining ingredients to a blender and process until smooth. 
  4. Pour into a small skillet or pan and cook over medium heat for 10 minutes stirring frequently to avoid burning.

It is so delicious and super simple! All of the ingredients went into the blender and it was processed until smooth and then poured it into a small cast iron skillet and it cooked and reduced right on the grill.

While the kabobs grilled, I basted them with the sauce. The sauce bubbled away cooked and reduced. I kept stirring it while it was bubbly and hot. (Of course if you don't want to use the grill you can certainly reduce the sauce on the stove top, it would only take about 10 minutes.)

Serve with

  • Tri Tip - slather it on at the end - so tasty!
  • Lamb Chops would be perfect!
  • Shrimp Kabobs - sweet shrimp and this sweet, tangy sauce? YUM!
  • Chicken Kabobs - delicious!

Side Dishes to pair with this meal!

If you're grilling up a protein, I'd recommend some Corn on the Cob and a great pasta salad, like my Bow Tie Pasta Salt, Macaroni Pasta Salad or Southern Style Ham Pasta Salad - wouldn't that be delicious?

For dessert consider serving Grandma Darnell's Blueberry Cobbler or my Mom's recipe for Rhubarb Pie - YUM!!!

More great spice mixes and sauces

  • Chicken Seasoning Blend - this is THE perfect spice mix for chicken. It's perfect for your bbq!
  • Smashburger Sauce Recipe - this makes every burger better!
  • Huli Huli Sauce - so good on chicken, shrimp or pork, this tangy, slightly spicy sauce is such a hit.
  • Montreal Steak Seasoning - I think this is the most versatile spice blend. Make your own, it's a TON better.
Easy Plumb BBQ Sauce
What can be easier than Veggie Kabobs with Plumb BBQ Sauce you make right on the grill. Simple and so flavorful!

See it just bubbling away? Awesome flavor from the sweet plums with just a hint of spice. It's over the top delicious!

Plumb bbq sauce in cast iron skillet on grill.
5 from 26 votes

Homemade Plum BBQ Sauce

Plum BBQ Sauce is the star of this meal. Sweet and just a little spicy it's perfect for your favorite kabob!
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Prep Time10 minutes mins
Cook Time10 minutes mins
Total Time20 minutes mins
Course: Vegetarian and Vegan
Cuisine: American
Servings: 2
Calories: 230kcal
Author: Deb Clark

Ingredients

  • 1 cup chopped plums 2-3 plums depending upon the size
  • â…“ cup catsup
  • â…“ cup brown sugar
  • 2 Tablespoons Apple Cider Vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce or soy sauce vegan
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
  • Veggies of choice for the kabob

Instructions

  • There is no need to peel the plums. Add all of the ingredients to your blender or food processor. Process until smooth.
  •  If reducing on the grill, pour into a small cast iron skillet and reduce the sauce. You'll need to stir it frequently so it doesn't burn. If reducing on the stove, place in a small sauce pan over medium heat and reduce stirring frequently. This takes about 10 minutes, either on the grill or stovetop. 
  • Choose your veggies and prepare the skewers. After cleaning the vegetables, thread them onto the skewer, brush with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. 
  • Grill about 3 minutes each side, mop with sauce, flip & repeat until the vegetables are cooked.

Notes

Pollo tropical cilantro garlic sauce makes a great dip for the veggie kabobs!

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    Nutrition

    Calories: 230kcal | Carbohydrates: 57g | Protein: 1g | Sodium: 989mg | Potassium: 328mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 52g | Vitamin A: 565IU | Vitamin C: 9.5mg | Calcium: 37mg | Iron: 0.7mg

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    7.3K shares

    About Debra Clark

    Hey I'm Deb Clark, and I'm the owner of Bowl Me Over! We live in the sleepy little town of Scappoose, Oregon. And I admit it... I love food! Join me in this foodie journey (even if you've never cooked before!) I will help you learn to be confident in the kitchen! Want to learn more? Let's stay connected, you can email me at debra@bowl-me-over.com and find me on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.

    Comments

      5 from 26 votes (18 ratings without comment)

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Melody says

      September 16, 2020 at 11:29 am

      First of all, this BBQ sauce came out plum delicious!

      I had a few of these prune plums that I bought on a whim but didn't enjoy eating by themselves. Not very sweet at all, too tart, no balance. I stumbled across your recipe, and with just enough plum left, it fit the bill. I followed the recipe as written, but, knowing that I don't have a grill and wouldn't get the associated flavors in conjunction with the sauce, I added several shakes of liquid smoke! It was the right move.

      Sweet, tangy, savory and a hint of spice and smoke is what I call a good BBQ sauce! First I'll probably marinade and brush this sauce onto some chicken thighs before broiling, but then I'll surely devise a way to get this sauce to a veggie medley of some sort. Thanks, Deb!

      Reply
      • Bowl Me Over says

        September 17, 2020 at 10:03 am

        That's wonderful Melody! Sounds like you're enjoying the sauce, you nailed it - sweet, savory with just a little tang - enjoy!!!

        Reply
    2. ryvir says

      September 03, 2019 at 11:28 am

      5 stars
      This was my first attempt at a homemade bbq sauce. Very tasty. I tripled it based on how many plums I had and it still tastes delicious. Just enough heat to add to it without overpowering.

      Reply
      • Bowl Me Over says

        September 13, 2019 at 1:20 pm

        Wonderful! I'm so glad you love this sauce, it freezes well so hopefully you'll have some in the coming months too!!!

        Reply
    3. BBQ says

      August 05, 2019 at 12:03 am

      5 stars
      This is very good article for plum BBQ sauce. Thank you very much for sharing this awesome recipe. Today I will try this recipe. This is really helpful for us.

      Reply
      • Bowl Me Over says

        August 09, 2019 at 8:32 am

        Wonderful, I hope you really enjoy this tasty sauce!

        Reply
    4. Mary Sarah says

      July 15, 2019 at 1:38 pm

      I too want those veggie skewers and no they are not listed in the article. Could you please supply the link.

      Reply
      • Bowl Me Over says

        July 15, 2019 at 2:56 pm

        Hey Mary I just updated the post with the link! It's right above the recipe. With Amazon Prime Day, today's the day to grab them!!

        Reply
    5. Amy says

      October 03, 2018 at 6:16 pm

      This might have been answered already but I didn’t have the time to read through all the comments. Where did you get those kabob skewers?

      Reply
      • Bowl Me Over says

        October 04, 2018 at 6:23 am

        Hey Amy, yes it's in the recipe - use your veggies of choice! I especially love those little bell peppers, onions and zucchini. If you have some mushrooms, even better!

        Reply
    6. Margo Miller says

      September 15, 2018 at 10:04 am

      5 stars
      I made this sauce today and love the combination of sweet, sour, and spicy. I don't have a grill, so I thought I'd use the sauce for dipping with roasted vegetables. Does that sound like a good idea?

      Reply
      • Bowl Me Over says

        September 15, 2018 at 8:25 pm

        Hey Margo, that would be perfect! You’ll love this sauce with veggies!

        Reply
    7. Andrea J says

      October 05, 2017 at 4:27 am

      Looks and sounds great. Just wondering if you can make larger batches and store it .

      Reply
      • Bowl Me Over says

        October 05, 2017 at 4:37 pm

        Hey Andrea - You sure could, just make it up - seal well and freeze. Thanks for checking!

        Reply
    8. Jessica says

      August 25, 2017 at 7:17 pm

      Hi there 🙂 do the plums need to be peeled beforehand? Looks great!

      Reply
      • Bowl Me Over says

        August 26, 2017 at 3:51 pm

        Hey Jessica, I'm so excited you're making this sauce - it's just spectacular! No need to peel the plums, just remove the pits. That's a great question, I'll update the recipe to alleviate future confusion. Thank you!!

        Reply
      • Charity says

        June 18, 2023 at 4:11 pm

        Have you tried making a batch large enough to can it for storage or give as gifts?

        Reply
        • Bowl Me Over says

          June 18, 2023 at 4:50 pm

          No, I have not canned this recipe. I've frozen, but never canned it. I'm not sure if it can be canned.

          Reply
        • Annie says

          August 02, 2023 at 7:31 pm

          I quadrupled this recipe last year and canned it with no problems at all. I simply referenced canning instructions for some other sauces to get an idea of how long to process pints of this in the canner. We are enjoying the last jar right now, just in time for this year's plum harvest. 🙂

          Reply
          • Bowl Me Over says

            August 05, 2023 at 5:39 pm

            How wonderful, Annie - that sounds so good! I've never canned the Plum BBQ Sauce recipe so you're a step ahead of me! Glad it's a hit!!

            Reply
          • Melanie says

            September 19, 2023 at 4:10 pm

            Hi Annie. I live at about 4400 elevation and was thinking about 25 minutes per pint. Is this similar to your elevation/time ? Thanks…Melanie

            Reply
          • Noel says

            October 08, 2023 at 1:52 pm

            How long did you process for, what is your elevation? And did you increase the acid in it to make it safe?

            Reply
            • Bowl Me Over says

              October 08, 2023 at 3:05 pm

              Hopefully, Annie will reply to you, Noel. If she doesn't, I wanted to pop in and say I've frozen this recipe but never canned it.

    9. Angela says

      October 12, 2016 at 6:41 am

      Ive never had a plum BBQ sauce but boy does it sound wonderful!!! Love grilled veggies so this is certainly one I need to try!

      Reply
      • Bowl Me Over says

        October 12, 2016 at 3:15 pm

        I love plums and jus the other day my friend Michelle and I were talking that plums are the overlooked fruit! 😀 I hope you give this a try - simple and yummy!

        Reply
    10. Camilla says

      October 10, 2016 at 7:47 am

      This plum sauce sounds mega tasty, perfect for this time of year:-)

      Reply
      • Bowl Me Over says

        October 12, 2016 at 3:17 pm

        Indeed Camilla - full of big delicious flavor! I enjoy!

        Reply
    11. Emily @ Recipes to Nourish says

      September 19, 2016 at 8:47 am

      Plum sauce!!! That sounds AMAZING!! I bet the veggies are so delicious with that beautiful sauce.

      Reply
    12. linda spiker says

      September 19, 2016 at 7:45 am

      5 stars
      Yummmm! I am still grilling and this recipe is on the list!

      Reply
    13. christine says

      September 19, 2016 at 7:37 am

      I've never made my own BBQ sauce. Wow, this one looks packed with flavor and I think I might give it a go!

      Reply
    14. Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says

      September 16, 2016 at 8:44 pm

      That plum bbq sauce looks and sounds soooo good!

      Reply
      • Bowl Me Over says

        September 18, 2016 at 1:35 pm

        Thank you so much Kimberly! I love I was able to capture the bubbly goodness in the sauce! 😀

        Reply
    15. Dee Dee (My Midlife Kitchen) says

      September 16, 2016 at 6:55 am

      I love kabobs of any sort. You feel like you're getting a huge meal, but I find it easier to control portions this way. I love the sauce you use on these veggies, too. Yum!

      Reply
      • Bowl Me Over says

        September 18, 2016 at 1:34 pm

        I agree Dee Dee and it's such a great way to sneak in more veggies - grilled peppers are my fav veggie so delish!

        Reply
    16. Sandra Shaffer says

      September 14, 2016 at 7:20 pm

      5 stars
      That plumb sauce looks delicious and so flavorful! I have plenty of grilling time here in CA, so I'm going to give this recipe a try!

      Reply
      • Bowl Me Over says

        September 14, 2016 at 7:40 pm

        That's the beauty of living in Cali Sandra, gotta love our sunshine! Thank you so much and enjoy!

        Reply
    17. Citra Kale @Citra's Home Diary says

      September 12, 2016 at 3:27 pm

      O wow... I love the sauce you make here... And those veggie kabobs seriously amazing!

      Reply
      • Bowl Me Over says

        September 12, 2016 at 7:49 pm

        Thanks Citra, such a great use for our tasty plums!

        Reply
    18. Julie @ Texan New Yorker says

      September 10, 2016 at 4:17 am

      Look at that char!! Amazing! I love that you use fresh plums in your sauce, which also looks incredible!

      Reply
      • Bowl Me Over says

        September 10, 2016 at 3:40 pm

        That char is definitely where it's at! Thanks so much Julie!!

        Reply
    19. Adriana Lopez-Martin says

      September 09, 2016 at 8:30 pm

      What a great idea to use plumbs for BBQ sauce tangy and sweet, loved it =)

      Reply
      • Bowl Me Over says

        September 10, 2016 at 3:41 pm

        Thanks Adriana, the plums work so nicely in this recipe. Enjoy!

        Reply
    20. Patty Haxton Anderson says

      September 09, 2016 at 3:06 am

      I made a jalapeno plum bbq sauce last summer and plums just add such great flavor to a bbq sauce. I love that you've grilled veggies to go with your version and that you can reduce it right on the grill in the cast iron skillet - it looks scrumptious!

      Reply
      • Bowl Me Over says

        September 09, 2016 at 7:46 am

        Mmmmm! Loving your sweet/heat combo, that sounds delicious! That sauce on the grill is just bubbly goodness!!!

        Reply
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