Crockpot Smokies with Rhubarb BBQ Sauce

I have a rather large red rhubarb plant growing in my yard. 

I usually gravitate toward sweet treats when I cook with rhubarb, but this time I decided to go savory.

I came across the recipe for rhubarb BBQ and I could not get it out my head!  I knew that it would either be delicious or horrifying.  Since my plant was looking waaaay overgrown (and I was having a huge group of people over), I went ahead and tried it!

And ermergerd.  It is delicious!  The rhubarb lends a slight tartness to the BBQ without being overwhelming.  In fact, if you didn’t know there was rhubarb in the sauce, you’d never detect it.  The tartness blends right in with the sweetness from the molasses and sugar and the spiciness from the chipotle peppers.

I’ve been using this sauce on everything!  Lil’ Smokies, BBQ chicken, fries, burgers, everything!  Good thing my rhubarb plant is still huge, because I’m going to be making it all summer long!

Rhubarb BBQ Sauce

Adapted from Grandma Loy’s Kitchen

1 cup chopped red rhubarb

2/3 cup water

1 tsp extra virgin olive oil

1 medium onion, diced

3 cloves garlic, minced

2 chipotle peppers + 1 tbsp adobo sauce

1 cup ketchup

2/3 cup brown sugar, packed

½ cup molasses

2 tbsp cider vinegar

2 tbsp worchestershire sauce

1 tbsp Dijon mustard

¼ tsp salt

Place the rhubarb and water in a small saucepan over medium-high heat and bring to a boil.  Reduce the heat and simmer for 5-7 minutes or until the rhubarb is tender.  Place the cooked rhubarb in the bowl of a food processor or blender.

In the same saucepan, heat the oil over medium heat.  Add the onion and cook until tender, about 5 minutes.  Then add the garlic and cook for a minute longer. 

Place the onion mixture and chipotle peppers in the food processor with the rhubarb and blend until smooth.  Add the remaining ingredients and blend until thoroughly mixed.

Return the mixture to the saucepan and simmer for 5 minutes.  Cool the sauce and store in the refrigerator.

Makes about 3 ½ cups

To make ‘Lil Smokies, place 2 pounds of smokies in a 4 quart crock pot.  Cover with 2 cups of BBQ sauce.  Cook on low for 2-3 hours, stirring occasionally.