Jack Daniels BBQ Sauce: The Secret Recipe That Won Awards (20+ Years in the Making)
"THE SECRET IS IN THE SAUCE" — A championship-winning whiskey barbecue sauce that's been a family treasure for over two decades.
"I've had this recipe for over 20 years and couldn't find it so my sister sent it to me! I made 6 times the recipe and got 17 jars!" — A family treasure finally shared.
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This isn't just any barbecue sauce. This is the award-winning recipe from Jeff (J.J.) Miller of Plain City, Ohio — a sauce that combines the smoky sweetness of brown sugar, the tang of ketchup, the kick of hot pepper sauce, and the unmistakable smoothness of Gentleman Jack Rare Tennessee Whiskey. The result? A barbecue sauce that's won competitions and stolen hearts for over 20 years.
📌 In This Article
📖 The 20-Year Story: A Recipe Lost and Found
Over two decades ago, Jeff (J.J.) Miller of Plain City, Ohio created this championship-winning barbecue sauce. It quickly became a family favorite — the kind of recipe that makes people ask for seconds and beg for the secret.
But as the years passed, the recipe got misplaced. Lost in a drawer, buried in a cookbook, forgotten in a move. For years, the family searched. Then, a hero emerged — the maker's sister, who had kept a copy all along.
"I made 6 times the recipe and got 17 jars!" the maker shared. That's the beauty of this sauce — it scales beautifully. Make a single batch for a weekend cookout, or multiply it for canning and gift-giving.
The original recipe comes from a competition winner, proudly displayed as "WINNING RECIPES — J.J.'S BARBECUE SAUCE." Now, it's here for you to enjoy.
"WINNING RECIPES"
Jeff (J.J.) Miller
Plain City, Ohio
🏆 J.J.'s Award-Winning Jack Daniels BBQ Sauce Recipe
Yield: About 2 cups (scales up easily) | Prep time: 5 minutes | Cook time: 20 minutes
📦 Ingredients
| Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Ketchup | 1 ½ cups |
| Gentleman Jack Rare Tennessee Whiskey® | ½ cup |
| Firmly packed brown sugar | ¾ cup |
| Bottled sweet and sour sauce | ¼ cup |
| Worcestershire sauce | 3 tablespoons |
| Minced dried onion | 3 tablespoons |
| Hot pepper sauce | 1 tablespoon |
| Garlic powder | 2 teaspoons |
📝 Instructions
Step 1 – Combine All Ingredients
In a medium saucepan, combine all ingredients: ketchup, Gentleman Jack whiskey, brown sugar, sweet and sour sauce, Worcestershire sauce, minced dried onion, hot pepper sauce, and garlic powder.
Step 2 – Bring to a Boil
Place the saucepan over medium heat. Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring frequently to prevent sticking and ensure everything is well combined.
Step 3 – Simmer Low and Slow
Once boiling, reduce heat to low and simmer for 20 minutes, stirring frequently. This allows the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken to the perfect consistency.
Step 4 – Cool and Store
Remove from heat and let cool completely. Transfer to an airtight container or jar. Cover and store in the refrigerator. The flavors will continue to develop overnight — it's even better the next day!
🔥 How to Use Your Jack Daniels BBQ Sauce
Ribs
Brush on during last 15 min of grilling
Chicken
Grilled or baked
Burgers
Spread on patties
Fries
Dipping sauce
Pizza
BBQ chicken pizza base
Meatloaf
Glaze on top
🥫 Canning & Storage Instructions
The maker made 6 times the recipe and got 17 jars! Here's how to preserve this sauce for long-term storage:
- Refrigerator storage: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 months.
- Water bath canning: Pour hot sauce into sterilized jars, leaving ½ inch headspace. Process in a boiling water bath for 15 minutes. Store in a cool, dark place for up to 1 year.
- Freezing: Pour into freezer-safe containers or ice cube trays. Freeze for up to 6 months.
🏆 The Winning Recipe: J.J.'s Barbecue Sauce
This recipe comes from Jeff (J.J.) Miller of Plain City, Ohio — a true barbecue champion. The original recipe card proudly displays:
"WINNING RECIPES — J.J.'S BARBECUE SAUCE"
Whether you're competing in a barbecue competition or just feeding your family, this sauce brings award-winning flavor to every meal.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
📄 Printable Recipe Card
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║ J.J.'S AWARD-WINNING JACK DANIELS BBQ SAUCE ║
║ "THE SECRET IS IN THE SAUCE" ║
╚══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝
Yield: About 2 cups | Cook time: 20 minutes
INGREDIENTS:
- 1 ½ cups ketchup
- ½ cup Gentleman Jack Rare Tennessee Whiskey®
- ¾ cup firmly packed brown sugar
- ¼ cup bottled sweet and sour sauce
- 3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 3 tablespoons minced dried onion
- 1 tablespoon hot pepper sauce
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Combine all ingredients in a medium saucepan
2. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring frequently
3. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 20 minutes
4. Cool completely, then store in refrigerator
STORAGE:
- Refrigerator: 3 months
- Canned (water bath): 1 year
SCALING:
- 6x recipe = 17 small jars
- Multiply all ingredients equally
FROM THE MAKER:
"I've had this recipe for over 20 years.
My sister sent it to me when I couldn't find it!
I made 6 times the recipe and got 17 jars."
🥃 Ready to Make Award-Winning BBQ Sauce?
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