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Easy Homemade BBQ Sauce

by 155 Comments

Never buy bottled BBQ sauce again! This homemade BBQ sauce is not only easy, but healthy too. It’s gluten-free, vegan, and can be sugar-free, made with pure ingredients and spices. The perfect coating, spread, dip, rub, or marinade for all your healthy cooking or grilling needs!

Easy Homemade BBQ Sauce | Strength and Sunshine @RebeccaGF666 And easy homemade gluten-free, vegan, paleo, and sugar-free recipe for a classic healthy sauce!

I couldn’t hold out on this one. After the response I got from that easy homemade ketchup, and my own homemade condiment obsession, BBQ sauce was next on the list. Plus I love BBQ sauce almost as much as I love ketchup (almost!) Just like with my ketchup, I know my favorites in the store. And just like ketchup, making your own is not only fun, but affordable, healthy, easy, and customizable. Secretly, (or not so secretly now), I also just feel super badass making my own condiments all the time now.

Easy Homemade BBQ Sauce | Strength and Sunshine @RebeccaGF666 And easy homemade gluten-free, vegan, paleo, and sugar-free recipe for a classic healthy sauce!

This recipe should also hint at the fact that I will be making a homemade version for every condiment now 😉 I guess you can call me the granola queen, pancake queen, AND the condiment queen. I’ll hold all those titles with pride. You can rest assured that they’ll always be super healthy and allergy friendly too.

Easy Homemade BBQ Sauce | Strength and Sunshine @RebeccaGF666 And easy homemade gluten-free, vegan, paleo, and sugar-free recipe for a classic healthy sauce!

As I was doing my “pre-cook” food research for the perfect BBQ sauce recipe, I realized there are just so many variations. From sweet, spicy, tangy, smokey, and thick, chunky, drippy, even different colors than the typical deep red. Really, it all depends on the region you’re in (South/North) that kind of thing.

Easy Homemade BBQ Sauce | Strength and Sunshine @RebeccaGF666 And easy homemade gluten-free, vegan, paleo, and sugar-free recipe for a classic healthy sauce!

I knew for my first go-round, I wanted to keep it simple and classic. Nothing fancy, just nice and subtly sweet and smooth. I wanted it to be the perfect flavoring for any dish. Summer is a time for everything BBQ and that means we need a lot of BBQ sauce! Right?

Easy Homemade BBQ Sauce | Strength and Sunshine @RebeccaGF666 And easy homemade gluten-free, vegan, paleo, and sugar-free recipe for a classic healthy sauce!

Just imagine, those nice grill marks on your favorite burger, chicken breast, or portobello cap, slathered in glistening beautiful BBQ sauce. Or if you’re like me, even the perfect dip for fries. A summer essential that should be at all cook-outs, gathering, and BBQs!

Easy Homemade BBQ Sauce | Strength and Sunshine @RebeccaGF666 And easy homemade gluten-free, vegan, paleo, and sugar-free recipe for a classic healthy sauce!

I also have a double feature surprise with this sauce just like I did with the ketchup. No, I just realized it now as I was typing that the same sauce/fry thing was going to happen. Opps or yay? You can decide on Wednesday. I have a feeling you’ll be pretty happy though, don’t worry! The recipe on Wednesday actually requires you use the sauce so….that’s why this happened, I just didn’t realize it was a fry and sauce deal again. Hahaha!

Easy Homemade BBQ Sauce

Easy Homemade BBQ Sauce | Strength and Sunshine @RebeccaGF666 And easy homemade gluten-free, vegan, paleo, and sugar-free recipe for a classic healthy sauce!

Print

Easy Homemade BBQ Sauce

Never buy bottled BBQ sauce again! This homemade BBQ sauce is not only easy, but healthy too. It’s gluten-free, vegan, and can be sugar-free, made with pure ingredients and spices. The perfect coating, spread, dip, rub, or marinade for all your healthy cooking or grilling needs!

  • Author: Rebecca Pytell
  • Yield: 2 1/2 Cups (20oz) 1x
  • Category: Condiment
  • Cuisine: American
Scale

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. In a large mixing bowl, combine all ingredients in order. Stir to combine.
  2. Let it cool a bit, before storing in a large glass jar. Refrigerate and keep for 2 weeks.

Easy Homemade BBQ Sauce | Strength and Sunshine @RebeccaGF666 And easy homemade gluten-free, vegan, paleo, and sugar-free recipe for a classic healthy sauce!

I worked hard on the perfect blend of spices to create the most palate pleasing and not overpowering, “all-purpose” BBQ sauce. I think I nailed it here! I like the maple flavor, so if you use molasses it will taste a bit different of course, but still yummy! All around, this healthy homemade, 5 minutes, gluten-free, vegan, and paleo sauce will be the perfect addition to anything you want to add the good to! Really, what are you waiting for? You have 5 minutes? Go make this!

So tell me:

+ Favorite type of BBQ sauce? Either something smokey or brown sugar. Okay, really I love any BBQ sauce no matter what flavor or texture! I guess I just really like condiments!

+ What sauce do you want to see me make next? (I already have a few made, I’d love to hear which to post first!)


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Comments

  1. Betty says

    We always have barbecues whenever we have special gathering. It’s either we grill our own or we just order from a barbecue restaurant if we don’t feel grilling. Barbecue sauce just like hot sauce, salsa and spices is a very important ingredient or pair in the kitchen. It’s also nice to make your own rendition of barbecue sauce? Who knows this will match the flavor of your taste.

    Reply

  3. Melanie Redd says

    This bbq sauce looks great. I’m going to have to give your recipe a try!

    I live in the bbq capitol of the US – Memphis, TN. We take our bbq very seriously down here! Can’t wait to give your sauce a try~

    Found you on the Awesome Life Friday link up. Glad to find your site. And, I followed you on Pinterest.
    Blessings,
    Melanie

    Reply

    • Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says

      Thank you so much! O I’d loved to hear what you think 😉 Haha!
      And thank you so much dear! XOXO

      Reply

  5. Miz Helen says

    I love the combination of ingredients for your BBQ Sauce, it looks awesome. Thanks so much for sharing your post with Full Plate Thursday and have a great day!
    Come Back Soon,
    Miz Helen

    Reply

  6. Brittany says

    I am seriously so excited to try out this recipe. I like the taste of ketchup but hate that there is so much salt and sugar in the stuff. Thank you so much for the recipe! We are going to feature this perfect recipe this Thursday at Get Your Shine On Link Party. Hope to see you there again this week! (also pinned to our Pinterest board!)

    Reply

  8. Deborah Davis says

    I love to include healthy, nutritious condiments in my diet in a variety of ways, so I am delighted that you shared your
    wonderful Homemade BBQ Sauce recipe with us on the Healthy Happy Green and Natural Party Blog Hop. I’m pinning and sharing.

    Reply

  15. lisa says

    Wow, it’s difficult to find a sauce that is gluten free, so this is perfect. Your recipe sounds delicious. Living in Austin, TX BBQ sauce is a serious need. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply

  20. Ashley Beolens says

    We always have lots of BBQ’s over the summer and this sounds a great new sauce to try, so much better than the shop brought ones as well, much healthier without all their added extras.

    I may have missed it in the text (sorry if I have) but how long does it keep for?

    Reply

    • Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says

      That’s what I wanted! A super healthy sauce!
      2 weeks! I like to freeze some too! Really easy, just put it in a plastic bag, lay it flat until frozen and then store where ever in the freezer!

      Reply

  23. Marla says

    Hi Rebecca,
    Great recipe and perfect for summer time grilling. This sounds so much better than the chemically laden store bought brands. Thanks for sharing on Real Food Fridays. Pinned & twitted.

    Reply

  26. Judi Graber says

    Barbecue sauce just says summer and grilling, for me anyways! I have lots of good sauces for different meats, veggies, etc. and now I have another one. Happy Fiesta Friday #73 🙂

    Reply

  27. Kaila (GF Life 24/7) says

    I love how you kept the flavors simple, and once again made your own staple! We make our own BBQ sauce sometimes, but I must admit, we’re too lazy for our daily barbecue needs. Your bacon seasoning sounds delicious as well. Happy FF and have a fabulous weekend!

    Reply

  33. Mother Mands says

    My husband loves BBQ sauce, so am definitely going to try some (pinned) and Iike you say its good to know what’s in your food, and you can vary it a bit too. I make most other things from scratch but never really think of condiments. Nice one! 😉

    #brillblogposts

    Reply

    • Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says

      Condiments are so super easy to make too! I hope you guys give this a try! XOXO

      Reply

  38. Joanie @ ZagLeft says

    We grill often and use barbecue sauce all the time on chicken. I hate all the junk in many of the bottled brands, it’s great to know exactly what ingredients go into this sauce. Can’t wait to try!

    Reply

    • Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says

      Yes exactly! And grilled chicken is always even better with all the BBQ sauce 😉

      Reply

  39. Des @ Life's Ambrosia says

    Making your own BBQ sauce is such a great idea! I actually do it pretty frequently but never thought to make it without sugar. What a great way to not feel guilty about giving it to my kiddos 🙂

    Reply

  40. Harriet Emily says

    WOW Rebecca! BBQ sauce is my absolute favourite – I am so glad you made a recipe for it, I’ve been looking for one for ages and this sounds soooooooo good. Ahhhh! Those pictures are so mouthwatering too – all I need now is a big bowl of fries to dip into it. Oooh or I bet it would taste amazing as a dip for flatbread, or on top of pizza – the possibilities are endless!!

    Reply

  43. Ellen Hawley says

    I’ve been looking for a barbeque sauce recipe that doesn’t rely on ketchup. I’m living in the U.K. these days, and it’s not barbeque country, so buying bottled stuff isn’t easy. Thanks.

    Reply

  44. Catherine says

    Is it possible to leave out the Liquid Smoke? Or will that alter the taste way too much? Just wondering because I haven’t seen it in stores in my area. Thanks!

    Reply

    • Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says

      No, you don’t need it, but I would add some smoked paprika then. I’m sure you just never looked in the store! Liquid smoke is super cheap and in every store I’ve ever been in, plus online!

      Reply

  47. Briton says

    I’m a huge fan of BBQ sauce! Growing up in Texas I always had the “traditional” tomato based sauces but my husband is from North Carolina and they do it TOTALLY different out there!

    Reply

    • Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says

      Haha, yea! When I was doing my sauce research, I saw how every state had their own “way and variation” of the perfect sauce!

      Reply

  48. Rosi says

    This looks great and I’ve been looking for a good BBQ sauce that’s healthy. I do have a question, any suggestions of something to use besides the stevia syrup. I am just not a fan. I love a good spicy BBQ, I say go for that! 🙂

    Reply

  49. Laura says

    So much better making your own eh? I have made mine soooo many times, and I put it on everything. Sometimes more of a dip than a sauce hahah! Yours looks delicious:)

    Reply

  54. Sarah says

    Not sure I have A favorite but it is one of those things I crave in the summer even when I was vegan. I use to put BBQ on vegetables, on top of coleslaw or salads, pretty much anything!

    Reply

    • Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says

      Mmm, fresh tomatoes would be heavenly (if I weren’t so lazy about it! Love my paste!)
      Thank you so much dear!

      Reply

  60. Stephanie Volkert says

    I love this because I can control how much sugar is in it. I don’t like sweet sauces, and definitely don’t like anything with high fructose corn syrup. I actually have all of these ingredients on hand, too.

    Reply

    • Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says

      Yay! And yes! I don’t want all that sugar. I never cook with sugar anyway, but it is nice to have the option to sweeten as you like!

      Reply

  61. The Vegan 8 says

    Looks wonderful Rebecca! I just recently posted a bbq sauce recipe too and yours looks so amazing, I will need to try it! BBQ sauce is my favorite flavor of all time so I’m totally digging this! Lovely pics!

    Reply

    • Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says

      And isn’t homemade just so good! You can make it however you like! It is one of the best flavors!
      Thank you Brandi!

      Reply

  62. Jenny Shea Rawn says

    I make my husband pulled chicken with store bough bbq sauce every week – and hate how much sweetness and sugar the store versions have. Will definitely try making a big batch of this – sounds smoky and perfectly delicious! Pinning!

    Reply

    • Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says

      Yes! You can load this in with no regrets! Pulled BBQ chicken…is soooo good though 😉 Haha! Thank you dear!

      Reply

    • Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says

      Yea, the bottles one I love, G. Hughes, is sugar-free/allergy-free and amazing! Nothing chemically either!

      Reply

    • Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says

      It’s crazy! All the heavy calories come from the sugar which is just so sad :/ Now you can use tons and not have to worry about overloading something so simple!

      Reply

  69. Natalie @ Feasting on Fruit says

    You are definitely on a condiment roll right now! Me and my baked potato wedges thank you, because just like with pancakes I love to dip! I would love to see some more Asian-inspired sauces, like maybe teriyaki, or sweet and sour or sweet chili or something 🙂

    Reply

  76. Tina Muir says

    Yum!! I love homemade BBQ sauce, it tastes so much better, and often tangier which I like (is that a word?!). Thanks for linking up with us for meatless monday! Have a great week!

    Reply

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Meet Rebecca

Hey there, welcome to Strength and Sunshine! I’m Rebecca and I’m so glad you’re here! This is your go-to destination for delicious, fun, and (mostly) healthy gluten-free and allergy-free recipes, tips & tricks, advice, as well as celiac and food allergy coaching services!

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