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This 10-minute sugar-free BBQ sauce requires no cooking and contains just a few simple ingredients and no added sugar.
Simply drop the ingredients into a bowl, whisk them for two minutes, and your delicious homemade sauce is ready!
BBQ sauce is delicious, but store-bought varieties often contain large amounts of sugar. This homemade version is just as good, and it's sugar-free.
It's also incredibly easy to make - it requires no cooking and is ready in just a few minutes. You can keep the leftovers in the fridge for up to a week; I make a batch almost weekly and use it in several recipes.
Jump to:
- Ingredients
- Variations
- Instructions
- Expert Tip
- Recipe FAQs
- Serving Suggestions
- Storing Leftovers
- Related Recipes
- Foodie Newsletter
- Recipe Card
Ingredients
You'll only need a few simple ingredients to make this recipe. The exact measurements are included in the recipe card below. Here's an overview of what you'll need:
- Tomato paste: I use tomato paste in a 7-ounce glass jar. After I empty out the tomato paste, I use it to measure the vinegar.
- Balsamic vinegar: You definitely want to use balsamic vinegar in this recipe. Other types of vinegar will be too harsh and acidic, especially distilled white vinegar.
- To season: Kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and smoked paprika.
- Sweetener: You can use any sugar-free liquid sweetener or the equivalent in stevia.
Variations
- Sometimes I use smoked salt instead of regular salt. It adds a lovely smoky flavor to the sauce.
- You can add 1-2 tablespoons of melted butter for a richer sauce.
- If you don't mind the carbs, you can use real maple syrup or honey instead of a sugar-free sweetener.
- To make it spicy, add a generous pinch of cayenne pepper.
Instructions
Making this sugar-free BBQ sauce is easy! Scroll down to the recipe card for detailed instructions. Here are the basic steps:
- Place the tomato paste in a medium bowl. (Photo 1).
- Add the balsamic vinegar. (Photo 2).
- Add salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and smoked paprika. (Photo 3).
- Add a sweetener.(Photo 4).
- Use a hand whisk to whisk the ingredients until well-blended. (Photo 5).
- Use immediately in your favorite recipe, or refrigerate for up to a week. (Photo 6).
Expert Tip
It's fine to use this sauce immediately after you mix it, but it's even better to make it an hour or so ahead and let it rest at room temperature. This allows the flavors to meld and makes for a more flavorful sauce. Give it another stir before using it.
Recipe FAQs
How do you define "sugar-free?"
I define it as "free of added sugar." So while there are naturally occurring sugars in the tomato paste and balsamic vinegar used in this recipe, I don't add any sugar to the sauce or use ingredients that contain added sugar.
Can I freeze BBQ sauce?
Yes. You can freeze it in a freezer-safe container for up to three months and thaw it overnight in the fridge. You can use an ice cube tray if you'd like to freeze small quantities. Once the cubes are frozen, transfer them to a freezer bag.
Can I substitute white vinegar for balsamic?
No. Balsamic vinegar is syrupy and almost sweet; white vinegar is acidic and harsh. I hardly ever use white vinegar for cooking. It's much better as a cleaning agent!
How is sugar-free BBQ sauce sweetened if it doesn't contain sugar?
This sauce is sweetened with a sugar-free sweetener such as stevia.
How does the taste of this sauce compare to regular BBQ sauce?
It's very similar, but it's not as sweet, and it's a bit more acidic. It's best used as a cooking sauce, not a dipping sauce.
Serving Suggestions
This sauce is excellent for brushing on meats, then slow cooking or grilling them. Cooking caramelizes the natural sugars in the sauce and brings out its sweetness.
Without cooking, this sauce is a bit acidic. So I don't use it as a dipping sauce. I typically use it when making oven-baked ribs, pulled pork, BBQ beef, or pulled chicken.
Storing Leftovers
You can store this sauce in a sealed jar in the fridge for up to a week. Remember to stir it again before using it.
- Carolina BBQ Sauce
- Pulled Beef
- Oven-Baked Ribs
- Slow Cooker Pulled Pork
Recipe Card
4.98 from 403 votes
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Sugar-Free BBQ Sauce
This 10-minute sugar-free BBQ sauce requires no cooking and contains just a few simple ingredients and no added sugar.
Prep Time10 minutes mins
Total Time10 minutes mins
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Servings: 12 servings
Calories: 26kcal
Author: Vered DeLeeuw
Ingredients
- 1 (7-ounce) jar tomato paste (¾ cup)
- ¾ cup balsamic vinegar
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 2 tablespoons liquid sugar-free sweetener or the equivalent in stevia
Instructions
Place the tomato paste, balsamic vinegar, salt, pepper, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and sweetener in a medium bowl or jar.
Use a hand whisk to whisk everything together until well-blended.
Use immediately in your favorite recipe, or cover and refrigerate for up to a week.
Video
Notes
- This recipe makes about 1.5 cups of sauce.
- While it's OK to use this sauce immediately after you mix it, it's even better to make it an hour or so ahead of time and let it rest at room temperature, allowing the flavors to meld. Just make sure to give it another stir before using it.
- You can store this sauce in a sealed jar in the fridge for up to a week. Remember to stir it again before using it.
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Nutrition per Serving
Serving: 2tablespoons | Calories: 26kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 1g | Sodium: 190mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 4g
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Cup measurements refer to the standard American cup, which is 240 milliliters. Most of my recipes are low-carb (or keto) and gluten-free, but some are not. Please verify that a recipe fits your needs before using it. Recommended and linked products are not guaranteed to be gluten-free. Nutrition info is approximate, and the carb count excludes non-nutritive sweeteners. Nutrition info may contain errors, so please verify it independently. Recipes may contain errors, so please use your common sense when following them. Please read these Terms of Use carefully before using any of my recipes.
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About the Author
Vered DeLeeuw, LL.M., CNC, has been following a low-carb real-food diet and blogging about it since 2011. She's a Certified Nutrition Coach (NASM-CNC), has taken courses at the Harvard School of Public Health, and has earned a Nutrition and Healthy Living Certificate from Cornell University. Her work has appeared in several major media outlets, including Healthline, HuffPost, Today, Women's Health, Shape, and Country Living. Click to learn more about Vered.
Reader Interactions
Comments
Linda
What could you use that’s more healthy (whole-food type ingredient) instead of the liquid sweetener?
Reply
Vered DeLeeuw
Hi Linda,
If you don't mind the added carbs, you can use maple syrup.Reply
Faith
Love how easy this is and it tastes amazing!Reply
Vered DeLeeuw
I'm so glad you like this BBQ sauce, Faith! Thank you for leaving a comment.
Reply
