Sugar Free BBQ Sauce
Homemade sugar free BBQ sauce is one of the easiest condiments to make. Learn how to create this Whole30 approved sauce in a jiffy with just a handful of pantry staples and without refined sugar!
Sugar Free BBQ Sauce Recipe
During my first Whole30 in 2014, I was shocked to learn that sugar is in nearly every single condiment in my fridge and pantry. I couldn’t believe it! I realized I needed to make my own Whole30 compatible condiments, and I set off on a mission to recreate all of my favorites without all the unnecessary sneaky sugars.
The first condiment I ever made was Whole30 BBQ sauce! Nowadays, Whole30 condiments are readily available at a lot of grocery stores, but it’s still so easy to make them on your own and tends to be a lot more budget friendly too.
Sugar free barbecue sauce means I can enjoy so many of my favorite meals, while still sticking to a Whole30 diet. BBQ chicken thighs are so tasty with this homemade sauce, and Instant Pot pork butt served with sugar free pickled onions is melt-in-your-mouth delicious.
Making a sugar-free version of your favorite dipping sauce shouldn’t have to be difficult. I’ve made it easy for you to enjoy all of the best sauces, with Whole30 friendly ingredients. My Whole30 buffalo sauce will transform game-day wings and this teriyaki sauce is way better than store-bought. Add this homemade BBQ sauce to the mix, and you’ve got every sauce you could ever need!
Why You’ll Love this Recipe
What’s not to love about a sugar free BBQ sauce recipe? It’s a win win:
- A good BBQ sauce can be hard to come by, so that’s just another perk of making your own. You can adjust the flavors and seasonings to make your sauce however you want!
- This is a much healthier option than store-bought BBQ sauce. There are no additives, refined sugar, high fructose corn syrup, and funky ingredients. Just a sugar-free version of a sweet sauce, made from real food ingredients, that everyone loves!
- You only need a handful of ingredients to make this sauce. It’s super simple and comes together really quickly!
Ingredients
Here’s what you need to make this fabulous barbecue sauce at home! Most ingredients at pantry essentials and can be found at your favorite grocery store. Here’s what you need:
- ketchup
- apple cider vinegar
- pitted dates
- coconut aminos
- garlic powder
- onion powder
- salt
- black pepper
- smoked paprika
Substitutions and Variations
Be sure you grab Whole30 compatible ketchup! If you’re not concerned about making a Whole30 BBQ sauce, you can still follow this recipe with regular ketchup.
Don’t have apple cider vinegar on hand? White wine vinegar, red wine vinegar and white vinegar are all good swaps.
If you don’t need to keep this recipe Whole30, you can swap coconut aminos for low sodium soy sauce.
Feel free to add any additional spices! Red pepper would give your BBQ sauce some kick and spices like chili powder can bring some warmth and depth to the sauce.
How to Make Homemade Whole30 BBQ Sauce
Follow these step-by-step instructions to make the best homemade BBQ sauce:
First, soak your dates in warm water in a small dish. Since they’ve been dried, this helps to rehydrates and soften them.
Next, add all ingredients to a food processor or blender. Pulse together, and then blend on high until well combined.
Once the mixture is smooth, transfer to a small sauce pan. Bring the sauce to a simmer over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Simmer for about 5-7 minutes, or until reduced by about one third. It should be sticky and thickened slightly.
Allow the BBQ sauce to cool, then transfer it to an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to a month and use in your favorite Whole30 recipes!
How to Store Sugar Free BBQ Sauce
Store this BBQ sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. You can freeze homemade barbecue sauce too! Just transfer to a freezer safe container and store for 2-3 months. Thaw completely before consuming.
How to Use Sugar Free BBQ Sauce
Homemade BBQ sauce can be added to your favorite proteins, and there are TONS of other Whole30 recipes that use BBQ sauce. Some of my favorites are:
- BBQ Chicken and Ranch Sliders
- BBQ Chicken Drumsticks
- Air Fryer Meatloaf
- Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Thighs
- Slow Cooker Hawaiian Chicken
You can also simply use this sugar free BBQ sauce recipe as a dipping sauce! Dunk some homemade chicken nuggets and french fries in this sweet sauce.
Tips for Success
These few helpful tips will keep your Whole30 BBQ sauce as yummy as can be:
- Make sure you blend the mixture thoroughly so that it’s smooth. You can also strain it through a fine mesh strainer to ensure you remove any chunks.
- If you’d like a thinner sauce, add a bit more ketchup or even a small splash of water. You can always adjust the amount of ingredients until you reach the consistency you need!
- I recommend grabbing a reusable sauce bottle with an airtight lid for storage. It’ll make it easy to use you BBQ sauce and easy to pour.
FAQ
If you find the natural sweetness of the dates has made your delicious sugar free BBQ sauce too sweet, add a little bit more vinegar. Even some regular yellow mustard can help cut through the sweet flavor!
Dates are a wonderful substitute for sugar! You can also use monk fruit sweetener, stevia or agave nectar as a substitute for sugar.
More Sauce and Seasoning Recipes
- Homemade Big Mac Sauce
- Healthy Copycat Chick fil a Sauce
- Ranch Seasoning Mix
- Homemade Fajita Seasoning Mix
Like this recipe? Drop a star rating below or tag me on Instagram @cookathomemom!
Sugar Free BBQ Sauce
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup ketchup be sure it's compatible with no additives or sugar
- 6 pitted dates soaked
- 1/3 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1.5 teaspoons coconut aminos
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/8 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 pinch salt
- 1 pinch pepper
Instructions
- First, soak your dates in warm water in a small dish for about 10 minutes.
- Add all ingredients to a high speed blender or food process. Pulse, then blend on low until the dates and broken down and fully incorporated.
- Transfer the mixture to a small saucepan and bring to a simmer, stirring occasionally. Simmer for 5-7 minutes, until it reduces and has the sticky consistency of bbq sauce.
- Transfer to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to a month.
