Create a sweet and savory sugar free BBQ sauce that is so much better than store-bought sauces. It’s so easy and is made with wholesome ingredients, including your favorite alternative sweetener. You're sure to love this low-carb sauce because the best BBQ doesn’t rely on sugar!
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Even if you’re a seasoned BBQ master and can smoke the best pit BBQ, you still need a great sauce. Store-bought has its place, but there’s nothing like adding your own homemade sauce to your backyard BBQ menu. And, making your own is more economical than buying a bottle at the store.
This exceptional sauce is a perfect balance of sweet and spicy, with a touch of tanginess. It works with any BBQ rub, I like to use it with a homemade Sugar-Free BBQ Rub. It’s also the best BBQ sauce for pulled pork in a slow cooker.
Why you’ll love this recipe
- Delicious and customizable – enjoy rich, complex flavors that can be customized to suit your particular tastes
- No ketchup – it's so quick and easy to make homemade bbq sauce without ketchup
- Made with pantry staples – all it takes are some basic ingredients you probably already have in your pantry
- Special diet friendly – this keto BBQ sauce has only 2g net carbs per serving, and is easily modified to make a paleo or Whole30 BBQ sauce (see Variations, below)
Ingredients
Simple ingredients make the best BBQ. See my Modifications for Special Diets for paleo and Whole30 and Low-FODMAP.
For complete instructions and measurements, see the recipe card, below.
- Tomato sauce – I like using the Pomi brand. Try their Passata to make it extra smooth.
- Molasses – adds a rich flavor and is okay for a low-carb diet if consumed in very small quantities. Blackstrap is best.
- Red wine vinegar – you can also use apple cider vinegar
- Sweetener of choice – I like to use powdered stevia to keep the recipe low-carb
- Worcestershire sauce – adds an incredible amount of umami
- Smoked paprika – lends a nice smokiness and is a great liquid smoke substitute
- Mustard powder – you can also use regular yellow or Dijon mustard
- Allspice – contributes amazing depth of flavor
- Cumin powder – is nutty, warm and slightly smoky
- Onion powder – adds savoriness, umami and subtle sweet flavor.
- Garlic powder – you can also use granulated garlic or pureed garlic.
- Powdered clove – adds a strong, pungent, sweetness
- Powdered coriander – optional, but adds a light, sweet citrus flavor
- Red pepper flakes or Aleppo pepper – for a gentle kick. Read more about Aleppo pepper in my Aleppo pepper ingredient spotlight.
- Salt and pepper – brings the flavors together
Modifications for special diets
To make this compliant for paleo and Whole30, simply eliminate the Worcestershire. For Whole30, use date paste as a sweetener.
For low-FODMAP, you'll love this recipe for Low-FODMAP BBQ Sauce.
Instructions
Let’s make this quick and easy recipe:
Add all ingredients to a medium saucepan over medium heat.
Whisk together and simmer for 5-10 minutes, until slightly thickened.
TIP: The flavors will continue to grow and combine the longer it sits. While this can be used right away, it's best to make it a day ahead of time for even better flavor.
How to store
After it has cooled to room temperature, transfer to an air-tight container and refrigerate for up to two weeks. I find mason jars are perfect for storing.
How to serve
Slather on just about anything. Here are a few of my favorites:
- BBQ Bacon Burger – add to your burgers while they’re cooking and/or spoon it on as a condiment when serving
- Pulled pork sandwiches – mix in to shredded Pulled Pork or this amazing pork carnitas for the perfect sandwich. Feel free to add more after you pile the meat on the bun. It's so good!
- Smoked beef – baste on Smoked Poor Man's Burnt Ends, or on these Smoked Beef Ribs for a drool worthy meal
- Use as a dip – dip some smoked flank steak or grilled veggies
- Pizza sauce – make your own BBQ chicken pizza with this low-carb pizza dough
Variations
- Smokehouse BBQ – to create an extra smoky flavor, add a ⅛ - ¼ teaspoon of liquid smoke
- Spicy BBQ sauce – increase the red chili or Aleppo pepper, add some cayenne or a touch of your favorite hot sauce, such as Tapatio or sriracha
- Lower the sodium – make it a low-sodium BBQ sauce by eliminating or cutting back on the Worcestershire
FAQ
The main difference between ketchup and tomato sauce is that ketchup contains vinegar and spices, where tomato sauce is often made from only tomatoes with very few spices. Ketchup is seasoned to be a condiment and to not need additional seasoning, where tomato sauce is meant to be used as a base for other sauces and recipes.
Either can be used to make BBQ sauce. Tomatoes in ketchup have already been cooked with seasonings and the flavors have been infused throughout the mixture. Tomato sauce based barbecue sauces require additional spices and cooking to bring the flavors together, eliminating the need to include ketchup. Using tomato sauce tends to be less expensive, as it typically costs less than ketchup.
Absolutely! Place it in an airtight, freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 6 months.
Yes, you can substitute mustard powder for Dijon or other liquid-based mustards. While I feel mustard really adds flavor to the recipe, you can leave it out if you need to.
Did you make this recipe? Let me know how you liked it by giving a star rating and leaving a comment!
📖 Recipe
Sugar-free BBQ Sauce
Ingredients
- 15 ounces tomato sauce (1 can)
- 3 tablespoons molasses (blackstrap is best - omit for Whole30)
- ⅓ cup red wine vinegar (can also use apple cider vinegar)
- ⅓ cup powdered stevia (or sweetener of choice)
- 3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce (omit for paleo and Whole30)
- 2 teaspoons mustard powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon onion powder (omit for low-FODMAP)
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder (omit for low-FODMAP)
- ½ teaspoon allspice
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (or Aleppo pepper - read more about Aleppo pepper in my Aleppo pepper ingredient spotlight)
- ⅛ teaspoon powdered clove
- ½ teaspoon powdered coriander (optional)
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a medium saucepan.
- Simmer over medium heat for 5-10 minutes, until slightly thickened, whisking often.
Notes
Modifications for special diets
To make this compliant for paleo and Whole30 diets, simply eliminate the Worcestershire. For Whole30, use date paste as a sweetener. For low-FODMAP, you'll love this recipe for Low-FODMAP BBQ Sauce. See post for variations and storage instructions.Nutrition
*Net carbs = carbohydrates - fiber
Nutritional information is an estimate, calculated using online tools and does not include optional ingredients unless otherwise indicated.
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