Guinness barbecue sauce is a delicious way to bring a taste of Ireland to grilling season.
This homemade BBQ sauce is perfect for marinating or basting meats, and is scrumptious served on the side.

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Cooking with Guinness
Barbecue season is one of my favorite times of year for cooking outside the kitchen - everything tastes better in the fresh air.
As you well know, I love to cook with Guinness. Over the years I've shared many recipes made with Ireland's favorite stout or beer.
Here's a quick look at the many ways to use Guinness when cooking.
These are all amazing Irish recipes, but during the summer months it's wonderful to have a go to barbecue sauce recipe, that gives your grilling a unique and distintive appeal.
Guinness BBQ sauce is the way to go. Kansas City barbecue sauce may be America's favorite grilling sauce, but I say this Guinness version should be one of the top BBQ sauces in the world.
Here's how simple this delicious grilling sauce is to make.

Ingredients for Guinness Barbeque Sauce
Here's a quick list of the ingredients required. You'll find exact amounts in the recipe card together with nutritional information. You can also toggle between US and Metric measurements.
- butter
- onion diced
- garlic cloves
- Guinness Stout
- ketchup
- yellow mustard
- molasses
- apple cider vinegar
- brown sugar
- honey
- worcestershire sauce
- paprika
- ground cinnamon
- salt
- black pepper
- red pepper flakes
Suggestions and Substitutions
These are the ingredients that make up my Guinness sauce, but the exact combo for what Guinness sauce is made of is totally dependent on the cook.
You can add other ingredients as you see fit, and to suit your taste buds. If you like a little extra kick to your barbecue sauce add a little Tabasco or some cayenne pepper.
If you prefer a deeper flavor of tomato in your sauce then add a tablespoon or two of tomato paste. There are no hard and fast rules.

Star anise is another nice ingredient to add to a simmering pot of BBQ sauce, but do remove it from the sauce pan before you blend the mix.
Onion powder or garlic powder can be used to add a little more pungency to the sauce.
However, I like the blend of ingrdients in my recipe card. I hope you'll like it too, but never be afraid to experiment.
Directions For Irish Barbecue Sauce
This is quite a simple, one-pot recipe. Here you'll find step-by-step photographic instructions for making this delicious sauce.
Sweat the Onions
First you need to soften the onions and garlic. This step involves carmelizing the onions.
Do not skip this step since this process adds to the sweetness of your sauce.

Melt the butter in a medium sauce pan over medium high heat.
Add the diced onions together with the minced garlic.
Stir the vegetables to completely coat them in butter, them sautée until tender. This takes up to 10 minutes, so don't rush this step.

Simmer the Sauce
Now all you have to do is add all the rest of the ingredients to the pot.
Give them a good stir together. Raise the heat to bring the sauce to simmering point.
Do not over boil the sauce, but lower the heat and simmer for about 40 minutes. This is a gently cooking process - a low rolling boil only.
The aroma of this sauce will fill your kitchen. Trust me - you'll feel hungry as this sauce fills the air around you.
Stir the sauce frequently as it cooks to make sure it does not stick.
When it's cooked, simply turn off the heat and let the sauce cool.

Purée the Sauce
Use an immersion blender or a food processor to blitz the sauce until it is smooth and delicious.
Be sure to puree the sauce until it is completely smooth.
Storage of Guinness Sauce
You can store this sauce in a sterilized mason jar.
Store this sauce for up to two weeks in the refrigerator. If you seal the jar and do not reopen it, the sauce should last for one to two months.
Make a big batch at the start of the summer and it should last for most of the season. For my crew, it needs to be a very beg batch since this sauce is finger lickin' good.
Store bought sauces will last much longer than the homemade variety since they contain preservatives. But this sauce will last for an adequate amount of time once you sterilize the storage jar properly and ensure it has an air tight seal.

Now you're ready to barbecue. I love to use this Guinness sauce to baste ribs for grilling. Believe me, they are over the top delicious.
You can use this sauce in any of your favorite recipes that call for barbecue sauce. I
t's a lovely marinade for chicken tenders and burgers are extra delicious served with this sauce. This may also become your favorite BBQ sauce for pulled pork.
I hope you'll like this summer condiment with a true taste of Ireland.
Recipe Card for Guinness BBQ Sauce
Here's the recipe card for your kitchen files.
You can toggle between US and Metric equivalents for the ingredients, plus you can choose to print the recipe with or without pictures.
Guinness Barbecue Sauce
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 ounce butter
- 1 large onion diced
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 2 cups Guinness Stout
- ½ cup ketchup
- ¼ cup yellow mustard
- ½ cup molasses
- ½ cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 cup brown sugar
- ½ cup honey
- 2 tablespoons worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ⅛ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
Instructions
- Melt the butter in a large saucepan. Add the diced onion and minced garlic and sautée until tender and beginning to caramelize, about 8 to 10 minutes.
- Add the Guinness, ketchup, molasses, vinegar, honey, brown sugar and seasonings. Stir well together and bring to a boil.
- Simmer for 40 minutes, stirring every few minutes to prevent it sticking.
- Turn off the heat and let the sauce come to room temperature. Purée using an immersion blender or transfer to a blender and blitz until smooth.
- Transfer to a sterilized jar with a tight fitting lid for storage in the refrigerator.
Nutrition Information is estimated based on the ingredients and cooking instructions as described in each recipe and is intended to be used for informational purposes only. Please note that nutrition details may vary based on methods of preparation, origin and freshness of ingredients used.
Wishing you all a very happy summer grilling season.
Please share this recipe with any of your Irish family and friends who love to barbecue. It's perfect for Memorial Day and 4th of July barbecues.

Slán agus beannacht,
(Goodbye and blessings)
Irish American Mom
Dijana
My favorite time of the year, too! Wonderful recipe! I'm bringing this to my next barbecue!
Irish American Mom
Hi Dijana - I too get excited once the days get brighter and warmer and we can light up the grill. So glad you like this barbecue sauce.
All the best,
Mairéad
peter
I was a bit nervous making this recipe, but boy am I glad that I did. I haven't cooked with Guinness before, but this recipe delivered! Rich in flavor, we enjoyed it with pork ribs. Definitely making again!
Irish American Mom
Hi Peter - Guinness is an amazing ingredient. I'm so glad this recipe helped introduce you to the bold and robust flavor Guinness adds to BBQ sauce.
All the best,
Mairéad
Liz
I absolutely love a good homemade barbecue sauce. During the summer we love to smoke ribs and I never would have thought to add Guinness to the sauce! It was out of this world delicious and my hubby can't wait to make it again for family next time.
Irish American Mom
Hi Liz - Homemade is always the best for sauces and condiments. So glad your family liked this Irish barbeque sauce recipe.
All the best,
Mairéad
Kris
So easy, rich and flavorful! We love to dip our fries in it. 🙂 Thank you for another winner!
Irish American Mom
Hi Kris - Great to hear you give this BBQ sauce your seal of approval. Thanks for stopping by.
All the best,
Mairéad
Alina
It is such a thick and delicious barbecue sauce! I love this recipe, thank you
Irish American Mom
Hi Alina - I love how sticky and thick this barbecue sauce turns out. Thanks for taking the time to check out my recipe.
All the best,
Mairéad
Kinseth
So many levels of flavor in a sauce, it’s triumphant. Smoked baby back ribs with pecan with this sauce. It was amazing! I added zest and juice of a clementine which added another flavor, I really wanted a blood orange but the my butcher is closed today. Amazing! Thank you so much. This is now my go to sauce.
Irish American Mom
Hi Kinseth - I'm delighted to hear you enjoyed this Irish barbecue sauce. Thank you so much for taking the time to comment and rate my recipe. That means a lot.
All the best, and happy barbecuing this summer.
Mairéad