Watermelon BBQ Sauce

In honor of National Watermelon Day, I put together a watermelon inspired menu for a casual dinner party I was having.

Spice rubbed pork loin with watermelon BBQ sauce with a side of brown rice and green beans topped with a watermelon salsa.

Overall the meal was tasty. The rice was a total failure which left the salsa a bit out of place on the plate. But the pork loin with the watermelon BBQ sauce was a big hit and a wonderful tribute to Watermelon Day. 

Watermelon BBQ Sauce

Ingredients:

1 tbsp olive oil

1/2 white onion diced

3-4 cloves garlic minced

1-2 jalapeño diced

1/2 cup watermelon diced

3-4 Roma tomatoes diced

1/2 cup watermelon juice

3-4 oz tomato paste

2 tbsp brown sugar

1 tsp cayenne pepper

2-3 tbsp cider vinegar 

1-2 tbsp lime juice

1 tbsp cilantro

Water

Salt & pepper

Preparation:

Heat olive oil in medium sauce pan

Add onions, garlic and jalapeño over med high heat until onion is slightly translucent (3-5 min)

Add watermelon and tomatoes until they just begin to break down (3-5 min)

Add and stir in watermelon juice, brown sugar, cayenne, vinegar, lime juice cilantro and tomato paste. 

Season with salt and pepper

Add water to thin the sauce as needed

Bring entire mixture to a boil, reduce heat and simmer 60 minutes. 

This is a great sauce to compliment pork, chicken and even salmon. Leave it a little chunky if you like a nice hearty sauce or use an immersion blender to smooth it out depending on your taste. 

Enjoy this unique take on BBQ sauce and everyday can be a celebration of the watermelon.