When most people think of tea recipes, they think of lattes, iced teas, and mocktails. But tea can be just as delicious in savory dishes, especially when it comes to summer grilling.
This Smoky Cowboy Chai BBQ Glaze uses our Smoky Mountains Cowboy Chai as the secret ingredient for a rich, smoky-sweet sauce that's perfect for grilled chicken, pork, vegetables, and burgers. The naturally smoky notes from Lapsang Souchong tea combine with warming chai spices, brown sugar, tomato paste, and apple cider vinegar to create a glaze that's bold, complex, and packed with flavor.
Unlike traditional barbecue sauces that rely heavily on liquid smoke, this recipe gets its depth from real tea leaves and spices. The result is a homemade BBQ glaze that feels unique while still delivering the sweet, smoky flavor everyone loves.
Whether you're firing up the grill for a backyard cookout, planning a summer barbecue, or looking for creative ways to cook with tea, this easy homemade BBQ glaze brings a fresh twist to classic grilling recipes.
Brush it onto chicken during the last few minutes of cooking, toss it with grilled vegetables, or use it as a finishing sauce for pulled pork sandwiches. Once you try tea in your barbecue sauce, you may never look at loose leaf tea the same way again.
