Chile-Coffee BBQ Sauce Recipe

Name: Chile-Coffee BBQ Sauce
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 3 guajillo chiles; 3 mulato chiles; 1/2 medium onion, cut into wedges; 6 cloves garlic, unpeeled; 2 tablespoons corn oil; 1 cup tomato puree; 1 cup strong black coffee; 1/4 cup turbinado sugar; 1 tablespoon kosher salt, plus additional for seasoning; 1 teaspoon dried oregano, preferably Mexican; Pinch ground cloves; Pinch cumin; 2 teaspoons cider vinegar

Servings: persons

3 guajillo chiles
3 mulato chiles
1/2 medium onion, cut into wedges
6 cloves garlic, unpeeled
2 tablespoons corn oil
1 cup tomato puree
1 cup strong black coffee
1/4 cup turbinado sugar
1 tablespoon kosher salt, plus additional for seasoning
1 teaspoon dried oregano, preferably Mexican
Pinch ground cloves
Pinch cumin
2 teaspoons cider vinegar

1
Split, stem, and seed the chiles.
2
Toast the chiles in a dry skillet over medium-high heat, turning and flattening with a spatula, until fragrant, about 3 minutes.
3
Put the chiles in a heatproof bowl, cover with very hot water, and set aside until soft, about 30 minutes.
4
Drain, reserve soaking liquid, chop chiles roughly, and set aside.
5
While the chiles soak, char the onion and garlic in the same dry skillet over medium heat until the onion blackens slightly and garlic softens in the skin, about 8 minutes.
6
Cool, squeeze the garlic out of the skin, and put in a blender with chiles and onion.
7
Puree to a paste, adding soaking liquid as needed (about 3/4 cup) to help the mixture break down.
8
Heat the oil in the skillet over medium-high heat.
9
Add the chile mixture and cook, stirring, until thick and fragrant, about 4 minutes.
10
Add the tomato puree, coffee, sugar, 1 tablespoon salt, oregano, cloves, and cumin.
11
Adjust the heat to maintain a gentle simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened, about 15 minutes.
12
Stir in vinegar and season with salt to taste.
13
Cook's Note: For this recipe, we prefer Mexican oregano.
14
It's stronger than Italian oregano, so it can hold its own with the other assertive flavors in this sauce.

kcal

Calories

Carbs

Protein

Carbs Protein

* Per serving · 4 servings · Values may vary.

Tips for the best results

Read through all the steps once before you start and measure out your ingredients first — it makes everything go more smoothly.
Taste as you go and adjust the seasoning before serving.
Avoid overcrowding the pan — cook in batches if needed for the best texture.
Let the dish rest for a few minutes before serving so the flavors settle.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and enjoy within a few days.

Variations & substitutions

Brown sugar instead of white sugar adds a deeper, more caramel-like flavor.

No specific allergen information. Please check the ingredient list for possible allergens.

My Personal Notes

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How did you like this recipe?

This recipe makes 4 servings. You can adjust the portion size directly on this page.

You need 13 ingredients. The key ingredients include: 3 guajillo chiles, 3 mulato chiles, 1/2 medium onion, cut into wedges, 6 cloves garlic, unpeeled, and more.

Yes, Chile-Coffee BBQ Sauce falls under the General category and is a great choice for this type of meal.

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. Reheat gently before serving.

That's it — enjoy your meal!

Chile-Coffee BBQ Sauce

Tips for the best results

Variations & substitutions

My Personal Notes

How did you like this recipe?

Frequently Asked Questions