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 or freeze them for several months. I make a batch almost weekly and use it in several recipes.
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Ingredients
You'll only need a few simple ingredients to make this sauce. 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. It's fine to use a 6-ounce can of tomato paste if that's all you can find.
- 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. Please don't skip the sweetener. It balances out the acidity of the vinegar.
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, balsamic vinegar, salt, pepper, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and sweetener in a medium bowl or jar.
Use a hand whisk to whisk the ingredients until well-blended.
Use immediately in your favorite recipe, or refrigerate for up to a week.
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
Yes. You can use two teaspoons of fresh minced garlic.
No. Balsamic vinegar is syrupy and almost sweet, while white vinegar is acidic and harsh. I hardly ever use white vinegar for cooking. It's much better as a cleaning agent!
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 and 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.
You can also freeze it in a freezer-safe container for up to three months and thaw it overnight in the fridge. If you'd like to freeze small quantities, use an ice cube tray. Once the cubes are frozen, transfer them to a freezer bag.
More BBQ Recipes
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Recipe Card
Sugar-Free BBQ Sauce
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.Â
- 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.
Nutrition per Serving
Disclaimers
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.
Susie
We used sugar rather than sweetener and it was delicious and so easy! Slow cooked with chicken.
Vered DeLeeuw
I'm so glad you enjoyed this recipe, Susie! Thank you for taking the time to write a review.
Linda
What could you use that’s more healthy (whole-food type ingredient) instead of the liquid sweetener?
Vered DeLeeuw
Hi Linda,
If you don't mind the added carbs, you can use maple syrup.
Faith
Love how easy this is and it tastes amazing!
Vered DeLeeuw
I'm so glad you like this BBQ sauce, Faith! Thank you for leaving a comment.