Name: Flora Farms BBQ Sauce (copycat)
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 90 min
Ingredients: 1 can San Marzano whole peeled tomatoes (28 ounces); 1 cup Apple Cider Vinegar; 1 cup brown sugar; 1 pouch of apple sauce (90 grams); 1 medium onion; 8 cloves of garlic; 1 stick of cinnamon; 2 star anise; Salt and Pepper (1 tsp each)

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Simple recipe, BIG flavors!

Delicious and simple to make. What a great sauce to have in your spring/summer BBQ sesh.

Flora Farms is a 150-acre farm in the foothills of the sierra in San Jose del Cabo about 25 minutes from Cabo San Lucas is one of my favourite places in the world. This place has the most incredible farm-to-table restaurant.

I fell in love with their cocktails, sunset, rescued dogs that run around freely, nightly live bands and of course the FOOD. One that stands out the most is the pork chop with their house-made BBQ sauce. I asked the server what was in the sauce? I was surprised when he told me how simple the ingredients were. Tomatoes, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, cinnamon, star anise. They only use the BEST ingredients from their farm.

These are the fundamentals I live by. Except back home, we do not have a tropical desert farm. Only a Whole Foods haha.

Here is my copycat version of the Flora Farms BBQ Sauce.

link to my INSTANT POT BBQ PORK RIBS recipe

My take on this recipe

My version of this sauce is quite simple. I DO NOT have a 150-acre farm on the Baja therefore, I am using the second-best thing. Canned tomatoes. I am also using an apple sauce pouch from my snack pantry. However, when I taste this sauce I feel like I am transported back to my happy place…

My Cabo History. My inspo.

Cabo San Lucas has my heart. I got married there. It was the first vacation I ever went with my then-boyfriend and now-husband. So much history took place in Cabo. Plus, it is only 4.5 hour flight from Vancouver.

The place, people, food, and culture are just amazing. I would happily live there. 100%.

As a girl who lived in the Philippines, I have always loved the warm weather. Manila wasn't close to the beach. When you live in a tropical country, you need to be close to the ocean because the heat can be unbearable. In Cabo, the ocean is right outside.

What you need

San Marzano whole peeled tomatoes (28 oz can)

This is what I used but feel free to use what you have on hand. Again, try to use the best of what you have available.

apple cider vinegar

I love this vinegar. This is one of the ingredients that the server mentioned.

brown sugar

This is the standard on most BBQ sauces. The dark molasses taste of this sugar adds so much depth to the sauce.

apple sauce

Apples and bbq sauce goes hand in hand.

stick of cinnamon

Cinnamon goes hand in hand with Star Anise. It is powerful, you only need to use 1 stick.

Star anise

This is a very powerful spice. Use with caution. The first time I used 3 and it overpowered everything. ONLY USE 2 stars.

aromatics

onion and garlic. My holy grail.

equipment

Blender
Large pot
Wooden Spoon
Knife and cutting board

How to make your bbq sauce

Step 1 - PREP YOUR INGREDIENTS

Roughly chop the onion and garlic. Everything will be blended so no need to be fancy.

Step 2 - COOK YOUR SAUCE

Add all the ingredients to a pot.
Bring it to a boil then lower the temperature to a low simmer. Stir every 15 mins.
After 45 minutes, check seasoning. Add more vinegar if you want your BBQ sauce to be tangier, add more salt if needed and add more sugar if it's too tangy.

Step 3 - BLEND & STORE

Remove the cinnamon and star anise. DO NOT FORGET THIS STEP! It will not taste good, and you won't be transported to Mexico… lol
Cool it for 30 minutes to an hour then put it in a blender and store. Label, label, label!
Store in a mason jar for up to 2 weeks. Freeze if longer than 2 weeks.Store in a freezer-safe container.Keeps in the fridge for up to 1 week and freezer for 3 months

How to store your BBQ Sauce

Stores in the fridge for up to 1 week.
Freezable for up to 3 months.
This sauce is completely plant-based just add whatever protein.
Use as a marinade or as a BBQ Sauce
Great for meal planning.

Still hungry? Try my other recipes!

Air Fryer Frozen Dumplings with the Best Chili Garlic Oil Sauce

Teriyaki Salmon Air Fryer

Grilled BBQ Chicken Thighs - Filipino Style

Filipino BBQ Pork Skewers

Carmen Spillette