TGI Fridays Jack Daniels Sauce

Guys, it’s all about the sauce, and this copycat TGI Fridays Jack Daniels Sauce is so finger-licking delish that you’ll want to put it on everything! A little bit sweet, a little bit tangy, a wee bit spicy, and with the amazing flavor of Jack Daniels whiskey, this sauce is ah-mazing and tastes just as good as what they serve in restaurants.

Years ago, my family and I lived in an apartment community right beside a TGI Fridays, and whenever we ate out that is usually where we went.  You might think it was the convenience that kept us going back, but that thinking would be wrong.  It was the Jack Daniels sauce that they used that kept us going back for more. If you’ve ever tried it, you know exactly what I mean – and you will be so eager to try this recipe.

I love how easy this Jack Daniels glaze is. Sure, there’s some measuring and simmering involved, but that’s not too hard. And, once it’s made, it’ll keep in the fridge for a week or more in case you can’t get to it right away. 

In fact, make a double batch of this sauce because it’s just that darn good, and you can put it on so many different kinds of meats and even veggies. See all my suggestions below!

Ingredients

• Garlic – You’ll need a whole head. Trust me on this!
• Olive oil
• Water
• Pineapple juice – Buy a can of crushed pineapple and squeeze the juice from it. You’ll also need a spoonful of the crushed pineapple.
• Teriyaki sauce
• Soy sauce
• Dark brown sugar – Dark brown sugar has more molasses in it, but if all you have is light brown sugar, use that.
• Cayenne pepper – Adds a bit of heat! Adjust this to your liking.
• Lemon juice – Fresh lemon juice will balance the sweetness.
• Onion – Minced white onion.
• Jack Daniels Whiskey – You don’t need much.
• Crushed pineapple

How to Make Jack Daniels Sauce

There are 2 steps to this recipe: first, you’ll need to roast the garlic and then make the glaze. You can roast the garlic up to a day ahead of time.

1. Cut about ½-inch off the top of the head of garlic to expose the garlic cloves. Cut the root end a bit so that the garlic sits flat.
2. Remove the papery skin from the garlic, but leave enough so that the cloves stay together.
3. Put the head of garlic into a small baking dish and drizzle the top of the garlic with olive oil, cover it and bake in a 325-F oven for an hour.
4. Let the garlic cool until you can handle it.
5. Combine the water, pineapple juice, teriyaki sauce, soy sauce, brown sugar, and cayenne in a medium saucepan until it boils. Turn it down to simmer.
6. Squeeze the garlic out of the head and add it to the pot with the glaze in it. 
7. Add the lemon juice, onion, whiskey, and crushed pineapple. 
8. Simmer over very low heat for 50 minutes or until the sauce has reduced by half and is thick and syrupy. 
9. Spread it over everything and enjoy!

How to Use Jack Daniels Sauce

This is my favorite Jack Daniels wing sauce, but don’t limit yourself.  This sauce is good on anything, and here are some of my favorites:

• Grilled chicken
• On burgers – Burgers with this easy whiskey glaze and caramelized onions are so crazy good!
• Fish – Try glazing salmon with it. Incredible!
• Shrimp – glaze them and then BBQ them. Yum!
• Steaks
• Roasts
• Heck, I bet it’d even be good on a hot dog. It’s that kinda good! 
• Dipping sauce for nuggets

Storage

This Jack Daniels sauce recipe will keep in the fridge in an airtight container for a week or a bit longer. I usually make a double batch – it’s just that good!

Frequently Asked Questions

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TGI Friday’s Jack Daniels Sauce

Ingredients

• 1 head of garlic
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• ⅔ cup water
• 1 cup pineapple juice
• ¼ cup teriyaki sauce
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1⅓ cup dark brown sugar
• 3 tablespoons lemon juice
• 3 heaping tablespoons minced white onion
• 1 tablespoon Jack Daniels whiskey
• 1 heaping tablespoon crushed pineapple
• ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper

Instructions

• Cut about ½ inch off 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 small casserole dish or baking pan, drizzle olive oil over it, and cover with foil. Bake in a preheated 325 degree oven for 1 hour. Remove the garlic and let it cool until you can handle it.
• Combine water, pineapple juice, teriyaki sauce, soy sauce, brown sugar, & cayenne pepper in a medium saucepan over medium high heat. Stir occasionally until mixture boils. Reduce heat until mixture is just simmering.
• Squeeze the sides of the heat of garlic until the roasted garlic is squeezed out. Add remaining ingredients to the pan and stir.
• Let mixture simmer for 50 minutes, or until sauce has reduced by half and is thick and syrupy. Make sure it doesn’t boil over.
• *Makes one cup of glaze

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