Name: The BEST Sugar-Free Homemade BBQ Sauce Recipe - Keto
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Ingredients: 1 cup sugar-free ketchup; 1/2 cup brown sugar substitute; 1/2 cup water; 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar; 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce; 1 tbsp yacon syrup (or molasses); 1 tsp salt; 1 tsp garlic powder; 1 tsp onion flakes (or 1/2 tsp onion powder); 1/4 tsp mustard dried; 1/4 tsp paprika

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The BEST Sugar-free Homemade BBQ Sauce Recipe – Ready in 15 minutes, you’ll have the best Homemade Barbecue Sauce which is a keto version of your favourite sweet and tangy BBQ sauce. Easy to make from scratch and the absolutely necessary sauce to help you stick to your Keto Diet!

the best homemade sugar-free bbq sauce that can be made in under 15 minutes and stored in jars for up to 2 weeks

This is by far the BEST Sugar-free Homemade BBQ sauce recipe out there. And although there are so many different types of BBQ sauces such as the North Carolina style BBQ sauce, Kansas City style BBQ sauce, White Alabama BBQ sauce, and as well as the Memphis style with no sauce at all (well, maybe just a smidge). Everyone has their personal favourites.

And it is the one sauce I do not think I could live without!

I’ve shared my Whole30 Smokey Onion Bacon BBQ Sauce with you which is the one that I always make when I am following a Whole30 diet. I have also shared my Delicious Keto Cranberry Jalapeno Meatballs in a Cranberry BBQ Sauce that I always make during the holidays as well as my Easy Keto Mexican Sauce which is a Mexican-inspired keto BBQ sauce recipe.

Table of Contents

What is typically in BBQ sauce?

Sugar, sugar and then some more sugar! That's why making homemade sugar-free BBQ sauce has to be in your repertoire if you plan on living a keto lifestyle.

Although all BBQ sauces vary quite a bit, most include vinegar, tomato paste, or mayonnaise (or a combination) as a base, as well as liquid smoke, onion powder, spices such as mustard and black pepper, and sweeteners such as sugar or molasses.

On average, regular store-bought BBQ sauce contains over 15 grams of sugar for 2 tablespoons of sugar. Definitely not a keto option!

So, with a couple of simple swaps, you can make the BEST sugar-free homemade BBQ sauce in about 15 minutes!

keto bbq sauce recipe is easy to make and delicious to eat

Ingredients

Although the ingredient list is longer than most of my other keto recipes, most of the ingredients are probably already in your pantry and fridge!

Ketchup – I always have a bottle of Primal Kitchen’s Ketchup in my fridge so this is what I use. If you use a different brand, you may need to add additional sweetness to your sugar-free BBQ sauce. Taste it when it is done and add a tablespoon of additional brown sugar substitute until it reaches the level of sweetness you desire. If you want to make your own homemade keto and sugar-free ketchup, you can find recipes here, here and here!

Sweetener – I used Lakanto Golden which is a brown sugar substitute along with some Yacon syrup. Yacon syrup is extracted from the roots of the yacon plant. It’s a sweet-tasting syrup with a look and consistency similar to molasses. Yacon syrup has about 7 grams of sugar per tablespoon whereas molasses contains about 15 grams of carbs. Since you are only adding a single tablespoon, using molasses will not really make a significant difference in carbs since this recipe makes about 2 cups of sauce which means that adding yacon will add 0.5 grams of sugar for a two-tablespoon serving. If you do not have any yacon syrup, simply omit it and add more brown sugar substitutes.

Seasoning – To round out the flavours of this keto BBQ sauce recipe, I used a combination of apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire, garlic powder, onion flakes (or powder), dry mustard powder, salt and paprika.

*See the recipe card for quantities.

How to Make the BEST Sugar-free Homemade BBQ Sauce

Cook the BBQ Sauce. Whisk together all of the ingredients in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Allow the sauce to bubble and then reduce the heat and allow it to simmer for 10 minutes. This helps to deepen the flavours and thicken the sauce. For a thicker sauce, keep simmering for up to 1 hour.

easy homemade keto bbq sauce comes together in a saucepan

Serve. You can use this sauce immediately or save it for later.

How to Store Homemade Keto BBQ Sauce

If you have prepared this sauce as a make-ahead recipe to use for meal prep, you can allow it to cool slightly and then pour it into a mason jar. Seal it with a tight-fitting lid and store it in the refrigerator to use for quick and easy meals throughout the week!

This sauce should last about 2 weeks if stored properly.

easy sweet and tangy homemade keto bbq sauce stored in airtight containers

Variations

This keto BBQ sauce recipe can be modified to suit a variety of different flavours.

Spicy - add chili pepper flakes while cooking to imbue heat into the dish, or some hot sauce for a spicier version
Creamy - add some mayo, sour cream or greek yogurt to add a extra level of creaminess - it is the flavour that would happen if West North Carolina got together with Alabama and made a "baby" sauce!
Mustard - add some prepared yellow mustard (or dijon) for a South Carolina twist.

See this keto and sugar-free Alabama White BBQ Sauce on my website!

homemade sugar-free and keto BBQ sauce is really easy to make

Favourite Ways to Use Homemade Sugar-free BBQ Sauce

Chicken – Use on baked chicken for a flavorful meal or drizzled over Dill Pickle Brined Chicken
Pork – Delicious with ribs, slow cooker brisket and definitely with pulled pork.
Burgers – Dollop some in the center of this Pancetta Burger bowl in place of ketchup for a tasty BBQ Burger.
Pizza – Use in place of pizza sauce on my Dairy Free Avocado Pizza Crust or my Beet Pizza Crust
Dip – as a dip to go along with this Prosciutto Shrimp and Brie Appetizer and or drizzle it overtop of Whole30 Loaded Mustard Vinaigrette Coleslaw

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