Let’s talk about THIS SAUCE. For years I’ve been playing around with BBQ sauce spin-offs. And thanks to a little faith and audacity, I have discovered a few unexpected combos that will change your life.
You think I’m exaggerating. But actually, if there exists a sauce that will change your life, this is it. I’ve posted before about blueberry BBQ sauce and cranberry BBQ sauce–both big winners. Today is the debut of strawberry BBQ sauce, which I might even venture to say is the BEST of any I’ve tried. I might also dare to say it will be your new all-time favorite pizza sauce. Because holy wow this stuff is good.
Specifically, 1 part Stubb’s Original BBQ sauce (important) + 1 part strawberry jam (multiple brands or homemade will work). Just stir together and that’s it!
For the pizza, go for your favorite dough or crust, or try whole grain naan like I’m using here. (Whole Foods and Stonefire are both great.) Cooked on a pizza pan with holes, the naan comes out thin and crisp but still with the perfect amount of chew. Plus, the pizza only takes about 12 minutes and no prep!
To bring the flavor and texture over-the-top, add crispy turkey bacon (I love Applegate), sautéed yellow onion, lightly wilted spinach, smoked gouda, and a sprinkle of dried chives. Pro tip: Wait to add the cheese in the last 5 minutes so the pizza can get super crispy without the cheese hardening or burning.
Other proteins like pulled chicken or pork would also be yummy! For the cheese, smoked gouda brings an incredible rich flavor, but others like fontina, smoked cheddar, mozzarella/smoked mozzarella, provolone, and muenster would also be great.
Notes
Increase amounts as needed for a larger pizza.
Ingredients
- Dough for personal (6-8") pizza (such as this homemade whole wheat pizza dough ) OR 1 whole grain naan
- 1/2 Tbsp Stubb's Original BBQ sauce
- 1/2 Tbsp strawberry jam
- 1 strip (turkey) bacon (such as Applegate)
- ~1-2 tsp broth or water for deglazing pan
- handful thinly sliced yellow onion
- large handful spinach, roughly chopped
- pinch black pepper
- 1 oz smoked gouda, freshly shredded (or mozzarella, fontina, provolone, gruyere, smoked cheddar, or Monterey jack)
- sprinkle dried chives
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 450ºF, or follow instructions for homemade dough/pizza stone if using.
- For the sauce, mix BBQ sauce and strawberry jam in a small bowl. Set aside.
- Cook bacon over medium heat in a small skillet on each side until crisp. Set aside.
- If necessary, add 1/2 tsp oil or butter to the same skillet. Add onions with a splash of liquid to deglaze the browned bits. Add a sprinkle of black pepper, to taste. Cook over medium/low a few minutes, until tender. Stir in the spinach just until wilted. Remove from heat.
- Spread prepared sauce on dough or naan. Tear bacon into small pieces and assemble on top. Evenly add onion/spinach mixture. (Don't add the cheese yet.)
- On a pizza pan (preferably with holes) or preheated pizza stone, transfer pizza to the oven and bake ~8 minutes.
- Quickly remove pizza, reduce oven temperature to 425ºF, add cheese, and return pizza to oven. Bake 4-5 minutes longer with cheese, or until crust is crisp and cheese is melted.
- Top with dried chives. Slice and enjoy!
