Hershey’s Chocolate BBQ Sauce: Rich, Smoky-Sweet Grilling Magic

Discover the magic of chocolate in BBQ with this game-changing Hershey’s chocolate BBQ sauce. This isn’t just another barbecue sauce – it’s a luxurious blend that brings together the rich complexity of Hershey’s Special Dark chocolate with classic BBQ flavors, creating a sauce that’s both familiar and excitingly different. What sets this sauce apart is its ability to enhance and deepen the natural flavors of grilled meats without overwhelming them.

The Secret Behind Chocolate BBQ Sauce

While chocolate in BBQ sauce might sound unconventional, it’s actually a secret weapon in crafting complex flavor profiles. The dark chocolate adds depth without sweetness, creates a silky-smooth texture, and enhances the natural umami flavors of grilled meats. This isn’t about making your BBQ taste like dessert – it’s about elevating your grilling game with a professional pitmaster technique.

The science behind this combination is fascinating. Chocolate, particularly dark chocolate, contains compounds called flavanols that actually enhance and complement the Maillard reaction – that beautiful browning process that occurs during grilling. When combined with traditional BBQ ingredients, these compounds create a depth of flavor that’s impossible to achieve through conventional ingredients alone.

Key Ingredients and Their Magic

The heart of this sauce lies in Hershey’s Special Dark syrup, carefully balanced with tangy apple cider vinegar and aromatic spices. Each ingredient plays a crucial role: the dark chocolate provides richness and body, while paprika and black pepper add warmth and complexity. The addition of sautéed onions and garlic creates a deep flavor foundation that sets this sauce apart from store-bought alternatives.

The choice of Hershey’s Special Dark specifically isn’t just about brand recognition – it’s about the perfect balance of cocoa solids and sugar content. This particular formulation integrates seamlessly into the sauce without creating separation or texture issues that can occur with other chocolate products. The liquid form also ensures even distribution throughout the sauce, creating a consistent flavor in every bite.

Pro Tips for Perfect Results

For best results, simmer the sauce slowly to allow the flavors to meld properly. The chocolate should be added gradually while stirring to ensure smooth integration. Don’t rush the cooking process – those 25 minutes are essential for developing the perfect consistency and allowing the flavors to mature. For extra depth, try adding a splash of bourbon or a pinch of espresso powder to enhance the chocolate notes.

Temperature control is crucial when working with chocolate-based sauces. Keep the heat moderate to low to prevent the sugars from burning or the chocolate from separating. If you notice any separation, a quick whisking while the sauce is warm will bring it back together. When applying to meats, remember that this sauce contains more natural sugars than traditional BBQ sauces, so apply it in the final stages of cooking to prevent burning.

Creative Uses Beyond Basic BBQ

While this sauce shines on traditional grilled meats, its versatility extends far beyond. Try it as a unique pizza sauce base, topped with grilled chicken and caramelized onions. It makes an excellent glaze for roasted vegetables, particularly root vegetables like sweet potatoes or carrots. Some pit masters even use it as a secret ingredient in their baked beans, adding a depth that guests can’t quite identify but absolutely love.

Serving and Storage Guide

This versatile sauce shines on everything from pulled pork to grilled chicken. For optimal results, apply it during the last 15 minutes of cooking to prevent burning. The sauce keeps well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks, though you’ll likely use it all before then!

When storing, remember that chocolate-based sauces can thicken significantly when chilled. To revive the sauce to its perfect consistency, gently warm it in a water bath or microwave in short bursts, stirring between each interval. If needed, you can thin it with a small amount of apple cider vinegar or water to reach your desired consistency.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use regular chocolate syrup instead of Special Dark?

While possible, Special Dark provides the optimal balance of richness without excessive sweetness. If using regular syrup, reduce the amount by 25% and consider adding a teaspoon of unsweetened cocoa powder to maintain the depth of flavor.

How can I adjust the heat level?

Customize the spice by adjusting the hot sauce amount or adding chipotle powder for a smoky heat that complements the chocolate. Start with small adjustments – you can always add more heat, but you can’t take it away once it’s in the sauce.

What’s the best meat pairing?

This sauce particularly shines on pork ribs and chicken, where its rich flavors can fully develop during the grilling process. For beef, it works best on cuts that benefit from a touch of sweetness, like tri-tip or short ribs.

Can I make this sauce ahead for a party?

Absolutely! In fact, making it 24-48 hours ahead allows the flavors to develop even more fully. Just remember to store it properly in the refrigerator and warm it gently before serving.

Hershey's Chocolate BBQ Sauce

A rich and complex barbecue sauce that combines Hershey's Special Dark chocolate syrup with traditional BBQ ingredients for a unique, smoky-sweet flavor profile. Perfect for grilling and ideal for pork, chicken, and beef.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Course Condiment, Sauce

Cuisine American, BBQ

Servings 2 cups

Calories 45 kcal

Equipment

• Saucepan medium-sized, heavy-bottom preferred
• Wooden spoon for stirring
• Measuring cups and spoons for accurate portioning

Ingredients

  

• 1½ cups ketchup regular, not reduced sugar
• ¼ cup apple cider vinegar raw unfiltered preferred
• ¼ cup Hershey's Special Dark syrup Special Dark recommended over regular
• ¼ cup olive oil
• 1 small onion finely diced
• 2 cloves garlic minced
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice fresh
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ tablespoon black pepper freshly cracked
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 tablespoon prepared mustard
• ½ teaspoon hot sauce adjust to taste

Instructions

 

• Heat olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add diced onions and garlic, cooking until tender and translucent, about 5 minutes.
• Add lemon juice, salt, pepper, paprika, and hot sauce. Simmer for 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally, then reduce heat to low.
• Stir in ketchup, apple cider vinegar, and Hershey's Special Dark syrup until well combined.
• Simmer on low heat for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until sauce thickens to desired consistency.
• Let cool slightly before transferring to an airtight container.

Notes

For best results, allow sauce to cool completely before refrigerating. Flavors will continue to develop overnight. Warm slightly before using if refrigerated.

Keywords chocolate barbecue sauce, chocolate bbq sauce, cocoa bbq sauce, hershey's barbecue

Chris Johns

Chris is the founder of BBQ Report® and has been an avid barbecue fan for over 20 years. His mission is to make grilling and smoking the best food possible easy for everyone. And each year, he continues to help more people with grilling, smoking, and barbecue recipe recommendations.

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