Do you remember the legendary Kenny Rogers Roasters restaurants that captivated America in the 1990s? Their rotisserie chicken was famous, but the unique barbecue sauce truly set them apart from every other chicken joint. This wasn’t your typical smoky barbecue sauce. Instead, it featured an unexpected sweetness from applesauce and a warm hint of cinnamon that made it irresistible.
Kenny Rogers’ barbecue sauce became a legend, with fans desperately seeking the recipe long after the restaurants closed. What made it so special was the perfect balance of sweet and tangy flavors, creating a sauce that worked beautifully on everything from rotisserie chicken to grilled ribs. You can recreate this nostalgic favorite in your kitchen with simple pantry ingredients.
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Why This Recipe Works
The genius of Kenny Rogers’ barbecue sauce lies in its unexpected ingredient: applesauce. This creates a naturally sweet base that’s less cloying than corn syrup-heavy sauces while adding subtle fruit notes that complement grilled meats beautifully. The cinnamon provides warmth without overpowering, and the careful cooking ensures all the flavors meld perfectly.
The two-stage cooking method is crucial for developing the sauce’s signature consistency and depth. The initial high-heat cooking dissolves the sugar altogether, while the long, gentle simmer concentrates flavors and creates the perfect glossy texture that clings beautifully to meat.
Ingredients
- Applesauce – Creates the sweet, fruity base that makes this sauce unique
- Heinz ketchup – Provides tangy tomato flavor and helps create the classic barbecue sauce color
- Light brown sugar – Adds caramel sweetness and helps create the glossy finish
- Lemon juice – Contributes bright acidity that balances the sweetness
- Salt and pepper – Essential seasonings that enhance all other flavors
- Paprika – Adds mild pepper flavor and contributes to the rich color
- Garlic salt – Provides savory depth and aromatic complexity
- Cinnamon – The secret ingredient that gives this sauce its distinctive warm spice note
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Combine All Ingredients
In a heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine applesauce, Heinz ketchup, light brown sugar, lemon juice, salt, pepper, paprika, garlic salt, and cinnamon. Whisk together until well combined and no lumps of brown sugar remain.
2. Initial High-Heat Cooking
Bring the mixture to a rolling boil over medium-high heat, stirring constantly for 4-5 minutes. This initial vigorous stirring is crucial for dissolving the brown sugar completely and preventing scorching.
3. Reduce and Continue Stirring
Turn heat to low and continue stirring for an additional 5 minutes. During this phase, ensure the sugar is completely dissolved and the mixture has begun to thicken slightly.
4. Gentle Simmering Phase
Allow the sauce to cook without stirring for 15 minutes on the lowest possible heat setting, uncovered. This slow cooking concentrates the flavors and develops the sauce’s signature consistency.
5. Finishing Options
For immediate use as a basting sauce during cooking, transfer to the top of a double boiler over simmering water to keep warm. For future use, allow the sauce to cool completely before transferring to clean glass jars and refrigerating.
Chef’s Notes
The quality of your applesauce makes a significant difference in the final product. Choose a smooth, unsweetened variety for the best results. The heavy-bottomed saucepan is essential for preventing hot spots that could cause the sauce to scorch during the long cooking process.
Watch the sauce carefully during the final 15 minutes of cooking. If your stove runs hot, you may need to use a heat diffuser or reduce the temperature further to prevent burning.
Storage and Usage Instructions
Store the cooled sauce in clean glass jars in the refrigerator for up to 30 days. The sauce will thicken as it cools, so thin with a bit of water or apple juice if needed when reheating.
For basting during cooking, keep the sauce warm in a double boiler to prevent burning. Never use sauce that touches raw meat when serving at the table.
Perfect Applications
This versatile sauce shines on rotisserie or grilled chicken like the original Kenny Rogers restaurants. It’s also excellent on pork ribs, grilled pork chops, and even as a glaze for ham. The sweet-tangy profile makes it perfect for family-friendly meals where traditional spicy barbecue sauces might be too intense.
Try it as a dipping sauce for chicken tenders, a glaze for meatloaf, or even as a unique pizza sauce base for BBQ chicken pizza.
Love BBQ sauce? Try some of the barbeque sauce recipes
- Rajun Cajun BBQ Sauce
- Luther’s BBQ Sauce
- Missouri Style Barbecue Sauce
- Swiss Chalet BBQ Sauce for Dipping
Kenny Rogers Barbecue Sauce – Sweet Copycat Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup applesauce
- 1/2 cup Heinz ketchup
- 1 1/4 cup light brown sugar
- 6 tablespoons lemon juice
- salt and pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions
- In heavy saucepan bring mixture to boil. Stir constantly about 4 to 5 minutes. Turn heat to low and continue to stir (about 5 minutes) making sure sugar is completely dissolved. Allow to cook without stirring for 15 minutes on lowest possible heat, uncovered. Transfer to top of double boiler over simmering water if to be used as a basting sauce for ribs or chicken during baking; or cool sauce and refrigerate covered to use within 30 days.
Can you water bath can this or do I need to pressure can it
The sugar should be enough.
Living in South Korea I don’t have access to apple sauce so I made my own. It came out good but very thick. Not liquidy at all.
Making it right now. It is currently doing its 15min simmer with the gas down low.
Smells pretty good. Might be nice with some raisins added or something as the spices give it that fruity smell.
Am going to use it to baste chicken drumsticks tonight as a tester. Will let you know how it goes.
How was it?
Having problems getting the applesauce texture out of it any suggestions?
I would mix it in a blender for about 30 seconds.