Homemade Barbecue Sauce
You’ll love how easy it is to make this barbecue sauce at home. Simply add the ingredients to a bowl and stir! Serve with chicken, ribs, pulled pork, or sandwiches to make any meal even better!
Most store-bought barbecue sauces contain preservatives, strange sounding ingredients, and sugar or honey. I’m going to show you how easy it is to create a flavorful sauce that’s refined sugar free, dairy free, and gluten free!
I’ve experimented with this Homemade Barbecue Sauce for a few years now and tweaked it repeatedly until finally getting to this exact recipe. It’s got that true barbecue flavor but is fairly mild so the whole family can enjoy it.
This sauce is made from simple ingredients. No blender required. Just add everything to a bowl and stir until well combined. It’s that simple!
For this recipe you’ll need (full list of ingredients and instructions are in the recipe card below):
- Ketchup
- Coconut aminos
- Apple cider vinegar
- A few seasonings
Add all ingredients to a small pot on the stovetop. Stir on medium-low heat for a few minutes until sauce is warmed.
What is coconut aminos?
Coconut aminos is a soy sauce substitute that has a lot less sodium and contains no soy. It truly tastes like a slightly sweet soy sauce! Learn more about what it is and why it’s so popular in healthy recipes here.
Is this sauce spicy?
No. The sauce is mild with a hint of sweetness so it can be enjoyed by the whole family including anyone who is heat averse.
How to make this sauce spicy
For a spicier sauce simply add cayenne pepper or a few drops of your favorite hot sauce to taste.
Is this sauce sugar free and Whole30 compliant?
Yes. Just check the label on your ketchup to make sure it’s allowed on Whole30. Many ketchup brands include sugar. Here are a few brands that offer compliant ketchup at the time of this recipe posting:
Whole30 Ketchup: Tessemae’s Organic Ketchup, Primal Kitchen Organic Unsweetened Ketchup, Good Food for Good Organic Ketchup
How to store barbecue sauce
Store your sauce in an airtight container (I use a glass mason jar) in the refrigerator for up to 7 days.
How to freeze barbecue sauce
If you’re not planning to use this sauce within the week simply store it in an airtight container in the freezer. It will remain good for up to 3 months.
How to serve this
There are so many ways to enjoy barbecue sauce! Here are a few of my favorites:
- Chicken – Use on baked, grilled, sautéed, or even a store-bought rotisserie chicken. You’ll also love this sauce on chicken wings!
- Salmon – Slather your salmon with this delicious sauce for a winning entree.
- Pork – Add barbecue sauce to pulled pork and you’ll feel like you’re in your favorite barbecue joint.
- Beef – Hamburgers or brisket would greatly benefit from this sauce.
- Pizza – Friday nights are pizza nights in my house and we love to drizzle barbecue sauce right on top of our pizza after baking.
- Sandwiches – Almost any sandwich is better when you add this sauce.
- Dip – Chicken tenders and fries are great for dipping!
More recipes like this:
Sugar Free BBQ Grilled Chicken
Homemade Barbecue Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 cup ketchup, If strictly sugar free make sure you select a ketchup without sugar.
- 3/4 cup coconut aminos
- 1 tsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 1/2 tsp chili powder
- 1 1/2 tsp ground mustard
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp onion powder
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a small pot on the stovetop. Stir on medium-low heat for a few minutes until sauce is warmed.
