Skip the sugary store-bought sauces and make this easy homemade BBQ sauce instead! It has the same sweet, smoky, and tangy flavor you love—just with less sugar and simple, real-food ingredients.
I don’t know if it’s the thought of summer or what, but I’ve been craving all things BBQ lately!
My first instinct was to grab a jar of BBQ sauce from the store, but I quickly realized that finding a healthier bottled option is surprisingly tough. Most store-bought sauces are loaded with sugar—some even list high fructose corn syrup as the first ingredient! On top of that, they’re packed with sodium and preservatives… not exactly real food or EBF-friendly.
So I said “no thanks” to the bottle and grabbed ingredients to make my own healthy homemade BBQ sauce instead.
Turns out, making BBQ sauce from scratch is incredibly easy. Everything goes into one pot and it’s ready in under 20 minutes.
The final result? A bold, flavorful, sweet-and-spicy sauce that’s honestly better than any store-bought version I’ve tried.
Why You’ll Love This Sauce
If you’re a BBQ sauce lover but want to keep things a bit cleaner, this recipe is for you:
- Quick + Easy – Just toss everything into a saucepan and simmer. No complicated steps, and it’s ready in about 20 minutes.
- Naturally Sweetened – We use maple syrup and molasses as sweeteners in this sauce. It has only 5 grams of sugar per 2 tablespoons, compared to Sweet Baby Ray’s BBQ Sauce, which packs in 17 grams for the same serving!
- Healthier – No high fructose corn syrup or preservatives in this homemade version!
- Versatile – Use it as a marinade, dip, or even as a salad dressing. The options are endless! I especially love it on my BBQ chicken breasts and BBQ chicken salad during grilling season!
// ★★★★★ Review //
“Excellent flavor and comes together quickly. Day two: using this as a base for baked beans. Yum!!” – Lynn
Ingredients Needed
You only need a handful of pantry staples to whip up this bold and tangy BBQ sauce at home.
- olive oil – just a touch to sauté the onion and garlic. You can also use coconut oil if preferred.
- garlic and yellow onion – these aromatics are the base of flavor and make the sauce extra savory.
- tomato sauce and tomato paste – this duo creates a rich, velvety tomato base.
- maple syrup – naturally sweetens the sauce without refined sugar. You can use honey or coconut sugar instead if you prefer.
- molasses – adds depth and that classic BBQ richness.
- apple cider vinegar – brings the tang! This is a must for balance.
- tamari – adds a savory, umami kick. Coconut aminos or soy sauce can be used instead. Just note: if you use soy sauce, the recipe won’t be gluten-free anymore
- dijon mustard – a little sharpness to round out the sweetness.
- spices – we’re using sea salt, paprika, cayenne pepper, chili powder, black pepper, and a dash of cinnamon for warmth and smoky heat.
Recipe Notes
This recipe is super flexible and easy to customize with what you have on hand. Here are a few simple swaps to make it work for you:
- Want more spice? Love a spicy BBQ sauce? Add extra cayenne, a pinch of red pepper flakes, or stir in a chopped chipotle pepper in adobo.
- Want more smokiness? Try using smoked paprika instead of regular or add a tiny splash of liquid smoke for a deeper BBQ flavor.
How to Make Homemade BBQ Sauce
Step 1: Add oil to a medium sized saucepan and heat over medium heat. Add garlic and onion and sauté until fragrant, about 5 minutes. .
Step 2: Add tomato sauce, tomato paste, maple syrup, molasses, apple cider vinegar, tamari and mustard into the pan. Stir to combine.
Step 3: Add in seasonings and spices: salt, paprika, cayenne pepper, chili powder, ground pepper and cinnamon. Stir to combine.
Step 4: Allow sauce to a simmer over medium-low heat and cook for about 12-15 minutes, stirring frequently.
Tips For Making The Best BBQ Sauce!
- Low and slow is key: Letting the sauce simmer gently allows the flavors to meld beautifully. Just don’t rush it or cook on high, or you might end up with splatters everywhere!
- Taste and tweak: After simmering, taste your sauce. Want it tangier? Add a splash more vinegar. Too sweet? Balance it with more mustard or salt.
- Double it! This recipe makes about 2 cups, but it freezes well, so consider making a double batch and saving some for later.
Ways to Use BBQ Sauce
Once you make this BBQ sauce, you’ll want to slather it on everything. From grilled proteins to grain bowls and sandwiches, it brings bold, tangy flavor to just about any meal. Here are some ideas:
How to Store Leftovers
Let the BBQ sauce cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container or glass jar. Store it in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
You can also freeze it! Just pour into a freezer-safe jar or silicone cube tray, freeze, and thaw individual portions as needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Definitely! This BBQ sauce works great as a marinade for proteins like chicken, tofu, tempeh, or even jackfruit (like my BBQ jackfruit sandwiches). Let your protein sit in the sauce for a few hours before cooking.
If you’re short on time, there are a few store-bought BBQ sauces I recommend. Look for ones without high fructose corn syrup and with less than 10g of sugar and 300mg of sodium per serving. I like Primal Kitchen’s BBQ sauce (their golden BBQ version is delicious).
Yes — as long as you use tamari or coconut aminos instead of regular soy sauce, this BBQ sauce is naturally gluten-free. If you swap in soy sauce, the recipe will no longer be gluten-free.
More Popular Condiments
Be sure to check out all of my sauce and condiment recipes on EBF!
If you enjoyed this recipe, please consider leaving a star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below.
Add oil to a medium sized saucepan and heat over medium heat. Add garlic and onion and sauté until fragrant, about 5 minutes. Make sure to stir the mixture frequently and watch the garlic because it can burn easily.
Add tomato sauce, tomato paste, maple syrup, molasses, apple cider vinegar, tamari and mustard into the pan. Stir to combine.
Add in seasonings and spices: salt, paprika, cayenne pepper, chili powder, ground pepper and cinnamon. Stir to combine.
Allow mixture to come to a simmer over medium-low heat and cook for about 12-15 minutes, stirring frequently. Just be careful because if the heat is too high, the mixture will start to boil and splatter.
Use right away or let cool and refrigerate for later use.
Prevent your screen from going dark
- To lower the sugar content, use powdered or liquid stevia or monkfruit instead of maple syrup. Start with a little (like 1/8 teaspoon) taste and add more until the sweetness level suits your needs.
- Storing: Let the BBQ sauce cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container or glass jar. Store it in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
- Freezing: Just pour into a freezer-safe jar or silicone cube tray, freeze, and thaw individual portions as needed.
Serving: 2 Tablespoons | Calories: 33kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 1mg | Sodium: 292mg | Potassium: 126mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 5g
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Publisher: Source link
