Red Robin Campfire Sauce

Capture the irresistible flavor of campfire cooking with this easy homemade sauce! Sweet, tangy, smoky perfection with a secret espresso kick.

Red Robin Campfire Sauce

There's just something about the aroma of a crackling campfire that stirs up so many wonderful childhood memories. I can vividly picture my family's annual camping trips to the Ozark Mountains in Arkansas. We'd spend our days hiking through lush green forests, dipping our toes in cool creek waters, and our nights gathered around the fire pit, flames dancing as we roasted marshmallows to gooey perfection.

And oh, that incredible smell - a smoky, slightly sweet scent thatPermeated the night air and lingered on our clothes long after we returned home. It's a scent that transports me back to those carefree days any time I catch a whiff of it. That's why I was utterly delighted when I first tasted the Campfire Sauce at Red Robin and discovered they had bottled up that nostalgic campfire essence in sauce form.

This Kansas City-style BBQ sauce quickly became an obsession. I drizzled it over burgers, dipped my bottomless fries in it, heck I even started putting it on my morning eggs! But getting my fix meant frequent trips to the restaurant, which isn't the most convenient or budget-friendly option.

So I decided to try replicating that magical taste at home. After some trial and error, I finally nailed a homemade Campfire Sauce recipe that captures that authentic smoky bliss. The best part? This sauce is ridiculously easy to make and the ingredients are pantry staples.

"It's the perfect condiment for all your grilling, backyard barbecue, and campfire cooking needs!"

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Red Robin Campfire Sauce Recipe

5 minutes prep time with 20 minutes cook time.

Serves almost 2 cups and contains approximately 110 calories per 1/4 serving.

American / Condiment / Sauce

Ingredients

• 1 cup ketchup
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 2 tablespoons yellow mustard
• 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1/4 cup brewed coffee or espresso (for that deep, rich smokiness)

Directions

1. Combine all ingredients in a saucepan and whisk until fully incorporated.
2. Simmer the mixture over medium-low heat for 15-20 minutes, stirring frequently, until it thickens to your desired consistency. Pro tip: The longer you simmer it, the more intense the smoky flavor becomes as the liquids reduce down.
3. Let the sauce cool slightly and transfer to a lidded container or mason jar. It will continue to thicken as it cools.
4. Brush, drizzle or dunk everything from burgers and fries to grilled meats and roasted veggies in this smoky, sweet, tangy sauce. I also love mixing some into shredded pork or chicken for amazingly flavorful BBQ sandwiches.

The first time you open that jar, the aroma is simply intoxicating. You're immediately enveloped in that familiar campfire scent, topped with layers of rich tomato, brown sugar, vinegar tang and just a hint of heat from the cayenne and mustard.

One taste and you're transported to a starry summer night, fireflies blinking as you savor every smoky, sweet, utterly crave-worthy bite. This sauce has turned even a routine weeknight dinner into a mini backyard campout celebration in my house.

Disclaimer: While delicious, this sauce sadly cannot actually take you time-traveling back to childhood. But it's probably the next best thing in capturing those nostalgic flavors we all love.

So skip the trip to the restaurant and fire up your own taste of campfire bliss with this easy homemade sauce. It's the perfect condiment for all your grilling, backyard BBQ and campfire cooking needs! Just be warned - you'll likely find yourself putting this smoky nectar of the gods on everything.

Red Robin Campfire Sauce

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Rated 4.9 by 27 reviewers.

Recipe Tags: Red Robin Campfire Sauce, Red Robin Campfire Sauce Recipe, Easy

Published by: Dish Dupes

Craving that irresistible campfire flavor you get from Red Robin's signature sauce? You're in luck! This homemade Campfire Sauce recipe lets you capture that smoky, sweet, and tangy bliss right in your own kitchen. But we know you likely have some burning questions, so let's dive in and answer them!

What is the origin of Red Robin's Campfire Sauce?

Red Robin's Campfire Sauce is a Kansas City-style BBQ sauce that has been a beloved menu staple since the early 2000s.

The chain was inspired by the irresistible aromas of camping and cooking over an open fire, aiming to bottle up those nostalgic flavors in condiment form.

Their version quickly gained a cult following for its unique blend of smoky, sweet, and tangy notes. While the full list of ingredients is a closely guarded secret, the sauce's distinct campfire essence is often attributed to the addition of liquid smoke or smoked spices.

What are the main ingredients in Campfire Sauce?

This easy homemade version draws its incredible flavor from a blend of:

• Ketchup: The tomato base adds tang and body.
• Brown Sugar: For that perfectly balanced sweetness.
• Apple Cider Vinegar: Brings a bright, tangy punch.
• Worcestershire Sauce: Lends a savory, umami depth of flavor.
• Mustard: Both for subtle heat and to enhance the other flavors.
• Smoked Paprika: The key smoky, slightly spicy essence.
• Garlic & Onion Powders: Aromatic undertones.
• Cayenne Pepper: For an optional kick of heat.
• Brewed Coffee or Espresso: The secret for intense, authentic campfire notes.

How does the coffee/espresso add to the flavor?

While it may seem like an odd addition, the coffee or espresso is what really makes this sauce taste like it came straight off the campfire. As it simmers, the bitter notes in the coffee grounds or espresso take on those incredibly rich, deep, slightly ashy and smoky nuances you get from cooking over an open flame.

It adds unbeatable depth and dimension you just can't get from standard liquid smoke alone. That roasty, charred aroma is absolute campfire magic!

Can the sauce be made without coffee/espresso?

Absolutely, but your sauce will be lacking in that distinctive campfire essence. If you're looking for a more standard BBQ sauce and want to skip the smoky notes, simply omit the coffee or espresso from the ingredient list.

To compensate and boost the other flavors, you could add a teaspoon of liquid smoke, a dash of smoked salt, or an extra teaspoon or two of smoked paprika. But for the full authentic experience, don't skip the java!

Is the sauce spicy or mild?

This particular recipe keeps things fairly mild, with just a hint of background heat from the paprika, mustard, and a touch of cayenne pepper. That way, the sauce complements rather than overpowers other dishes.

However, it's easy to customize the heat level to your personal preference! For a spicier sauce, simply increase the amount of cayenne pepper or add in minced jalapeños, habaneros, or your favorite hot sauce.

Conversely, if you want to tame it down even further, scale back or omit the cayenne altogether.

How long does the homemade sauce last?

When stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, this scrumptious sauce will keep for up to 2 weeks. However, the honest truth is it never lasts that long in my house before we devour every last drop!

If you plan to make a larger batch, the sauce can also be frozen for several months. Just be sure to leave some headspace in your container, as the sauce may expand slightly as it freezes.

What are some creative ways to use the sauce beyond dipping fries?

While phenomenal for french fry dipping, this versatile campfire sauce can easily elevate all kinds of dishes with its addictive flavors:

• Burgers & Sandwiches: Slather it onto burger patties, pulled pork, brisket, or chicken sandwiches.
• Appetizers: Toss it with roasted veggies like cauliflower or brussels sprouts for an irresistible starter.
• Meats & Proteins: Brush onto grilled or smoked meats, or use as a wet rub before cooking.
• Dips & Spreads: Mix with cream cheese or sour cream for a zesty chip or veggie dip.
• Pizza & Flatbreads: Drizzle over the top or use as a base sauce in place of marinara.
• Eggs & More: Yes, it's even delicious drizzled over scrambled eggs or breakfast potatoes!

Can the recipe be modified to make it vegan/vegetarian?

You bet! This recipe is super easy to make vegetarian or even 100% vegan with a couple simple swaps.

For a vegetarian version, simply replace the Worcestershire sauce (which contains anchovies) with a vegan-friendly alternative like Henderson's Relish, soy sauce, or coconut aminos.

To make it fully vegan, use a plant-based ketchup, vegan brown sugar, and swap the Worcestershire for one of those vegan options above.

The rest of the ingredients like the spices, vinegar, and coffee are already naturally vegan. So simple!

How does the homemade version compare to Red Robin's original?

In my humble opinion, this homemade campfire sauce captured that insanely addictive flavor even better than the original! Of course, taste is subjective, but I found this sauce to have a more pronounced and authentic smoky richness compared to what I've tasted from the bottled stuff.

With the ability to control the ingredient amounts, you can really dial in your ideal balance of sweet, tangy, smoky and spicy notes. The fresher, high-quality ingredients also lend an unbeatable vibrancy to the flavors.

However, I'll let you be the judge! Give it a try and see if this easy homemade version doesn't have you wondering why you ever bought the store-bought kind.

Are there any special tips or tricks for getting the perfect consistency?

Absolutely! While this sauce is quite simple to make, a couple easy tips will ensure you nail that luxurious, velvety texture every time:

1. Simmer Low and Slow: Resist the urge to crank up the heat. Gently simmering the sauce allows the flavors to meld and the liquid to reduce down slowly, achieving that perfect thick and luxurious body.

2. Stir Frequently: Frequent stirring prevents any hot spots from forming on the bottom of the pan, which can cause the sauce to scorch or become too thick in some areas.

3. Let It Rest: As tempting as it is to dig right in, letting the finished sauce rest for 10-15 minutes off the heat allows the flavors to bloom and the body to set up beautifully.

4. Adjust Consistency: If your sauce gets too thick during simmering, simply thin it out with a splash of stock, broth or even water. Too thin? Keep simmering until it reduces down further.

With these simple tips and a little patience, you'll be rewarded with a sauce so impossibly rich, smoky and velvety, you'd swear it came from an upscale BBQ joint!

So what are you waiting for? Get simmering on this finger-licking campfire sauce for a downright irresistible taste of smoky nostalgia.