Copycat TGI Friday’s Jack Daniel’s Sauce

Name: TGI Friday's Jack Daniels Sauce
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 50 min
Total time: 60 min
Ingredients: 1 Tablespoon minced garlic (OR 1 head of garlic - see instructions above); 1 Tablespoon olive oil; 2/3 cup water; 1 cup pineapple juice; 1/4 cup teriyaki sauce; 1 Tablespoon soy sauce; 1 1/3 cups dark brown sugar; 3 Tablespoons lemon juice; 3 Tablespoons minced white onion; 1 Tablespoon Jack Daniels Whiskey; 1 Tablespoon crushed pineapple; 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

chicken 76 Comments

This post may contain affiliate links meaning if you buy from them, I will make a few pennies, at no cost to you. See disclosure here.

Print Recipe

Copycat TGI Friday’s Jack Daniel’s Sauce – an easy, from scratch sauce that is great on chicken, fish, veggies – the possibilities are endless!

Click HERE to save recipe to Pinterest

I got an email way back in 2003 called Insider’s Recipes for Brand Name Foods that included this recipe. I love Jack Daniels sauce from Friday’s & this recipe tastes just like it.

WHAT DOES JACK DANIEL’S TASTE LIKE

Jack Daniel’s tastes similar to a bourbon. It’s a Tennessee whiskey, which is the same as bourbon except its been charcoal filtered so it’s a little less harsh and more charcoal flavors, which makes it great in a sauce (especially paired with grilled foods).

Today we paired this Jack Daniel’s with this boneless wings recipe & it tasted just like the Sesame Jack Strips appetizer from TGI Friday’s.

The second day (since there was a lot left), I made grilled chicken breasts & brushed the sauce over them. Delicious.

HOW DO YOU MAKE JD BBQ SAUCE?

Making Jack Daniels Sauce is probably easier than you think. You take everyday ingredients (listed below) and bring them to a boil. Once they’re boiling, you let it simmer until it thickens. Easy!

TGI FRIDAYS JACK DANIEL’S SAUCE INGREDIENTS

Minced Garlic – I give instructions on how to roast a head of garlic below. If you want a short cut, you can buy the minced garlic in oil from the grocery store that I always keep on hand.
Olive Oil
Water
Pineapple Juice – you can use the juice from the crushed pineapple can you’ll need
Teriyaki Sauce
Soy Sauce – you can use low sodium if that’s what you prefer
Dark Brown Sugar – dark brown sugar has more molasses and a more complex flavor
Lemon Juice – fresh is best!
White Onion – white onions are sweeter & cleaner in flavor than yellow onions with a milder flavor
Jack Daniels Whiskey
Crushed Pineapple – buy a can and also use the juice from it
Cayenne Pepper

HOW LONG DOES THIS SAUCE KEEP?

You can keep this Jack Daniel’s sauce up to 5 days sealed in the fridge safely. Longer than that, I’d freeze it. (it’s probably fine longer because it has some natural preservatives in it, but I always am leery). I have not tried to can it.

IS JACK DANIEL’S SAUCE VEGETARIAN?

Jack Daniels Sauce is vegetarian – even better, it’s vegan! You can use it as a dipping sauce, a glaze, or a marinade so meat eaters and vegetarians alike can enjoy it.

HOW TO ROAST YOUR OWN GARLIC

If you have time (and inclination), you can roast your own garlic for this recipe. Here’s how:
First, preheat the oven to 325 degrees.

Next, cut about 1/2″ off of the top of the garlic. Cut the roots so that the garlic will sit flat. Remove the papery skin from the garlic, but leave enough so that the cloves stay together. Put garlic into a small casserole dish or baking pan, drizzle olive oil over it, and cover with foil. Bake for 1 hour.

Finally, remove garlic and let it cool until you can handle it.

TOOLS FOUND ON AMAZON TO HELP YOU:

Whisk – I actually need a new one and this one is calling my name.
Medium Saucepan – I really like when pans are dishwasher safe.
Container – for storing the extra sauce.
Silicone brush – for brushing this sauce onto chicken, veggies, etc.

Watch how easy this copycat TGI Friday’s Jack Daniel’s Sauce is to make:

CONNECT WITH PERSNICKETY PLATES!

Follow along on my social media so you never miss a post!

Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram

I made a fun group on Facebook for sharing recipes, asking questions, and talking about food. I’d love to have you! Request to join HERE.

Also, sign up to receive an email in your inbox for each new recipe:

FREE EMAIL SUBSCRIPTION & EBOOK

If you MAKE & LOVE this recipe, share it on Instagram and tag me #persnicketyplates so I can see it. I LOVE seeing what you make & I’ll share it in my stories!

TGI Friday's Jack Daniels Sauce

Melissa | Persnickety Plates

Copycat TGI Friday's Jack Daniels Sauce - great on chicken, fish, veggies - the possibilities are endless!

4.25 from 110 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate Recipe

Prep Time 10 mins

Cook Time 50 mins

Total Time 1 hr

Course Side Dish

Cuisine American

Servings cup

Calories 86 kcal

Ingredients

1 Tablespoon minced garlic OR 1 head of garlic - see instructions above
1 Tablespoon olive oil
2/3 cup water
1 cup pineapple juice
1/4 cup teriyaki sauce
1 Tablespoon soy sauce
1 1/3 cups dark brown sugar
3 Tablespoons lemon juice
3 Tablespoons minced white onion
1 Tablespoon Jack Daniels Whiskey
1 Tablespoon crushed pineapple
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Instructions

In a medium saucepan, add the water, pineapple juice, teriyaki sauce, soy sauce, and brown sugar over medium/high heat. Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring occasionally, then reduce the heat until mixture is just simmering.
Add the minced garlic (OR if you're roasting your own garlic, over the saucepan, squeeze the sides of the head of garlic until the pasty roasted garlic comes out). Whisk to combine.
Add remaining ingredients to the pan and stir.
Let the mixture simmer for 40-50 minutes or until the sauce has reduced by about half and is thick and syrupy. Don't let it boil over.

Notes

Adapted from Insider's Recipes for Brand Name Foods

Instructions for roasting your own garlic is above.

The recipe makes approximately 1 cup once cooked down. For nutrition facts, I assumed a serving size is 1 Tablespoon.

Nutrition

Serving: 1TablespoonCalories: 86kcalCarbohydrates: 20gSodium: 117mgSugar: 19g

Nutritional information is an estimate and provided to you as a courtesy. You should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe using your preferred nutrition calculator.

Tried this recipe? Tag me!Mention @melissa_pplates or tag #persnicketyplates!

Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying/pasting and/or screenshots of full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited. Content and photographs are copyright protected.