Bronco Berry Sauce from Arby’s is arguably one of the most popular fast food sauces, which is sweet, tangy, and lightly spicy. I’ve been trying to recreate this gem at home for years, and after lots of tweaks and tests, I am happy to say that I captured the essence of the original. Now, after countless attempts and spent cooking weekends, I am finally ready to share my copycat recipe with you.
Homemade sauces are always better than store-bought ones, and they’re definitely healthier, and this Bronco Berry Sauce is no different. You can whip this sauce up in no time and it will serve you whenever you want to spice up your sandwiches or serve as a fruity dipping sauce for family meals. If you’re like me and love fruits, then this sauce will definitely satisfy your sweet tooth.
What is Unique For You About Bronco Berry Sauce
What makes Bronco Berry Sauce stand out among its competitors in the condiment world is the ratio of sweet and spicy flavors it features. The sweet base comes from raspberry preservers and is heated up by hot sauce. Unlike other sauces where berries are overly sweet or pepper jelly are extremely hot, Bronco Berry Sauce manages to combine both extremes effortlessly.
As for the taste, fans of Arby’s know the sauce is recognized by it’s distinct red color and semi transparent, jelly like consistency. Arby’s version shows off some bits of red pepper, which adds to the aesthetic and textural interest of the sauce, while the base flavor is mainly raspberry preservers.
Unlike many other condiments, it goes well with savory and fried dishes. The sauce can be used on ordinary sandwiches and chicken tenders, or even on more sophisticated meals like mozzarella sticks to give the dish an extra touch.
Ingredients for Bronco Berry Sauce Recipe
- Seedless red raspberry: 1 cup
- Ketchup: 1/2 cup
- Sauce Tabasco: 2 tbsp
- Worcestershire sauce: 1 tbsp
- Garlic powder: 1/2 tbsp
- Onion powder: 1/4 tbsp
- Cayenne pepper: 1/4 tbsp
- Cornstarch: 1 tbsp (optional)
- Bell pepper: 2 tbsp
- Clean glass jars with lids: several
Equipment and tools
- Medium saucepan
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Spiddle
- Small whisk
- Tabtop
- Cool Off Time: 30 minutes
- Preparation Time: 10 minutes
- Cooking Time: 15-20 Minutes
- Total time: 1 hour
Combine all lasting products for storage to achieve combination, then cut Cold Water into a clean spaced jar with various lids.
Instructions to make Arby’s Bronco Berry Sauce Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Ingredients
Gather all your ingredients before starting. This is what chefs call “mise en place” and it makes the cooking process much smoother. Finely mince the red bell pepper into tiny pieces – they should be small enough to distribute throughout the sauce but large enough to be visible for that authentic look.
Step 2: Combine Base Ingredients
In your medium saucepan, add raspberry preserves, ketchup, hot sauce, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne pepper. Stir well to combine all ingredients thoroughly before applying heat.
Step 3: Add the Minced Peppers
Add the finely minced red bell pepper to the mixture. These pepper pieces are key to recreating the authentic look and texture of Arby’s sauce.
Step 4: Heat and Simmer
Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Once it begins to bubble slightly, reduce the heat to medium-low. Let it simmer for about 15 minutes, stirring frequently with your wooden spoon to prevent sticking or burning. The sauce will gradually thicken and the flavors will meld together beautifully.
Step 5: Adjust Consistency (Optional)
If you prefer a thicker sauce, mix 1 teaspoon of cornstarch with 1 tablespoon of cold water in a small bowl until smooth. Slowly whisk this slurry into your simmering sauce and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until it reaches your desired thickness.
Step 6: Taste and Adjust
This is where you personalize your sauce. Give it a taste (be careful, it’s hot!) and adjust the seasonings as needed. Want it sweeter? Add a bit more preserves. Need more heat? Add a dash more cayenne or hot sauce. Remember, it’s easier to add more seasoning than to dilute it.
Step 7: Cool and Store
Remove from heat and allow the sauce to cool completely to room temperature. As it cools, it will continue to thicken slightly. Once cooled, transfer to clean glass jars with tight-fitting lids.
Serving Ideas
Bronco sauce can be used for many different purposes. Here are a few of my preferred ways to enjoy it:
- As a dip for mozzarella sticks and jalapeño poppers, as well as other fried foods.
- On sandwiches made with turkey, chicken, or roast beef for a sweet and spicy flavor.
- Accompanied with chicken tenders and chicken nuggets.
- As an appetizer spread on cream cheese served with crackers.
- As a final glaze on grilled chicken or pork for the last few minutes of the cook time.
- Combined with olive oil as an unconventional dressing for a salad.
- Alongside a cheese board as an unexpected treat.
Tips and Tricks
- Preserves Choice: For Bronco sauce, it is important to choose a good quality raspberry preserves as it impacts the sauce’s overall flavor. Always choose those with high fruit content and minimal additional ingredients.
- Simmering Heat: It is crucial to maintain low heat while simmering. Too high temperature can burn the sugar in the preserves and leave a bitter flavor behind.
- Thick Sauce: If Bronco sauce is too thick post refrigeration, it can be microwaved for 10 to 15 seconds or have a splash of water stirred in.
- Make it your own: Feel free to make it your own! For a little extra tang, toss in a splash of apple cider vinegar or a tablespoon of brown sugar for extra sweetness.
- Straining option: If you want a completely smooth sauce without raspberry seeds or pepper bits, you can strain the sauce through a fine-mesh sieve after cooking.
- Storage container: Glass jars are ideal for storage since they will not take on the color or flavor of the sauce. Just be sure that they are properly washed and dried before filling.
Arby’s Bronco Berry Sauce
Equipment
- Medium saucepan
- Measuring cups and sppons
- Spiddle
- Small Whisk
- Table Top
Ingredients
- 1 cup Seedless red raspberry
- 1/2 cup Ketchup
- 2 tbsp Sauce Tabasco
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 tbsp Garlic powder
- 1/4 tbsp Onion powder
- 1/4 tbsp Cayenne pepper
- 1 tbsp Cornstarch optional
- 2 tbsp Bell pepper
- Clean glass jars with lids Several
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare Your Ingredients
- Gather all your ingredients before starting. This is what chefs call “mise en place” and it makes the cooking process much smoother. Finely mince the red bell pepper into tiny pieces – they should be small enough to distribute throughout the sauce but large enough to be visible for that authentic look.
Step 2: Combine Base Ingredients
- In your medium saucepan, add raspberry preserves, ketchup, hot sauce, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne pepper. Stir well to combine all ingredients thoroughly before applying heat.
Step 3: Add the Minced Peppers
- Add the finely minced red bell pepper to the mixture. These pepper pieces are key to recreating the authentic look and texture of Arby’s sauce.
Step 4: Heat and Simmer
- Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Once it begins to bubble slightly, reduce the heat to medium-low. Let it simmer for about 15 minutes, stirring frequently with your wooden spoon to prevent sticking or burning. The sauce will gradually thicken and the flavors will meld together beautifully.
Step 5: Adjust Consistency (Optional)
- If you prefer a thicker sauce, mix 1 teaspoon of cornstarch with 1 tablespoon of cold water in a small bowl until smooth. Slowly whisk this slurry into your simmering sauce and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until it reaches your desired thickness.
Step 6: Taste and Adjust
- This is where you personalize your sauce. Give it a taste (be careful, it’s hot!) and adjust the seasonings as needed. Want it sweeter? Add a bit more preserves. Need more heat? Add a dash more cayenne or hot sauce. Remember, it’s easier to add more seasoning than to dilute it.
Step 7: Cool and Store
- Remove from heat and allow the sauce to cool completely to room temperature. As it cools, it will continue to thicken slightly. Once cooled, transfer to clean glass jars with tight-fitting lids.
Video
Questions Regarding the Arby’s Bronco Berry Sauce Recipe
For how long can you keep bronco berry sauce?
In the fridge and kept in an airtight container, the sauce is good for 2 weeks. Because of the high sugar and acid amounts, it helps preserve it naturally.
Is it possible to freeze bronco berry sauce?
Certainly! Put the cooled sauce in freezer safe containers and keep it for up to 3 months. Just make sure to leave around half an inch of headspace. To thaw, leave in the fridge overnight before use.
Is this sauce gluten-free?
Checking ingredients of Worcestershire sauce and hot sauce is important because most ingredients in the recipe are gluten-free. Some brands may contain gluten or be processed in gluten containing facilities.
Can I make this sauce less spicy?
You can remove or reduce the amount of cayenne pepper and hot sauce to your liking. Feel free to increase the spice later on if you want. To achieve a very mild version, switch out Tabasco hot sauce with Cholula.
Can I use fresh raspberries instead of preserves?
To achieve the right thickness, the fresh raspberries must be cooked down with sugar alongside added pectin. Otherwise, the fresh berries won’t reach the right consistency due to their lacking pectin and sugar levels.
Why is my sauce too thin?
You can sprinkle in cornstarch slurry next time or simmer it longer to reduce it further in order to thicken the sauce. The sauce should be fine after cooling, if not too thin, then sauce can be cooled further.
Is it possible to can this sauce for long-term storage?
This recipe hasn’t been tested for water bath or pressure canning safety. For long term storage, freezing is the recommended method.
What exactly is different about it from normal raspberry jam?
Raspberry preserves become a more complicated condiment to pair with savory dishes due to the addition of ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, and other spices. Bronco Berry Sauce is unique because it combines sweet, tangy, and spicy flavors.