The BEST Keto Sugar Free BBQ Sauce (2 Net Carbs!)
This homemade sugar free BBQ Sauce recipe is a low carb, keto barbecue sauce that’s ready in 5 minutes. All you need are 7 ingredients and a mason jar for easy storage! Smother this tangy sauce on meat, salads, dips, pizza, and more.
Table of Contents
What Makes This Recipe Great
You are going to LOVE how easy this Keto BBQ sauce is! It is ready to eat in 10 minutes. I’m serious. Now that I know how easy it is to make a healthy, sugar free BBQ sauce I’m never going to buy store-bought sauce again.
It is healthy, with just 7 simple ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen. Have you read the ingredients in traditional barbecue sauces bought at grocery stores? PACKED with added sugar, high fructose corn syrup, or artificial sugar substitutes. Homemade BBQ sauce is for sure the way to go.
The best part? You can’t even tell it is sweetened naturally. It is still thick with a sweet and tangy flavor, with the added bonus of being much healthier for you.
I add all the ingredients to a pan to slowly warm so the flavors can marry. After it warms on the stove for 5 minutes, I add all the ingredients to my blender and blend on high for 2 minutes. When it’s done blending, it’s ready to start eating. It’s that easy!
Watch How to Make BBQ Sauce Recipe Video
Sugar Free BBQ Sauce Inspiration
I went to buy Tessemae’s at the store, and it was sold out!? I asked the Whole Foods manager, and he said Tessemae’s BBQ sauce was out of stock for the foreseeable future, even on their website and Amazon.
It is July! I need my BBQ sauce!
So, I set out to make my own. I read the ingredients on the label of my almost empty Tessemae bottle and tried to recreate it at home. After a few tries, I got it right! A perfect Tessemae’s BBQ sauce copycat recipe.
Ingredient Notes
The best keto BBQ sauce made with simple, keto-friendly ingredients you probably already have on hand! It’s super simple, absolutely delicious, and easy to make a double batch freeze for later use.
- balsamic vinegar: Some recipes call for apple cider vinegar, but I prefer the flavor of balsamic vinegar.
- tomato paste: Many recipes use ketchup, but tomato paste is a great way to ensure there’s no added sugar. I use paste, not tomato sauce since it’s a bit thicker, and I like my BBQ sauce to be thick.
- monk fruit sweetener (use dates for Whole30!): I use monk fruit sweetener, which is a 1:1 all-natural white sugar replacement. You can swap this for Swerve brown sugar substitute as well. You could also use coconut sugar, honey, maple syrup or date paste for a natural sweetener.
- Dijon mustard
- soy sauce: If you’re gluten-free, swap the soy sauce for Tamari or coconut aminos.
- Spices: Garlic powder, onion powder, sea salt, and black pepper.
That’s it! All real ingredients to make it paleo, gluten-free, dairy-free, refined sugar-free, vegan, and keto BBQ sauce.
Step-By-Step Instructions
- Heat a saucepan over low-medium heat. Add all ingredients, stir to combine, and bring to a low simmer for 5 minutes. You don’t want it to boil, just get warmed through. Heating will allow the flavors to marry.
- (If using dates, transfer the BBQ sauce to a blender and blend on high speed for 2 minutes.)
- Store in an airtight container or wide-mouth pint mason jar. Store in the fridge for up to 3 months or frozen for 1 year.
Expert Tips & Variations
- Gluten-Free: Be sure to use tamari or coconut aminos instead of soy sauce.
- Consistency: I find that this BBQ sauce is best when it is thick, so when I brush it on meat and grill it, the BBQ sauce really stays on. I hate it when it’s too runny and drips off. But this is a personal preference. If you like your BBQ sauce thinner, just add water and blend again until it reaches the consistency you like.
- Flavor Variations: Depending on your flavor preferences, you can jazz up this keto BBQ sauce recipe in various ways. For a smoky flavor, add a few drops of liquid smoke. For a spicier sauce, add a bit of chili powder or cayenne pepper to taste.
Serving Tips
Use this delicious sugar free BBQ sauce for beef, chicken, pork chops, ribs, chicken wings, and more! It also works perfectly paired with my Keto Ranch dressing for salads. You can also use it for dressing and dipping sauce.
Storage Tips
I store my keto BBQ sauce in wide-mouth pint mason jars. This recipe makes about 2-1/2 cups. I use 1/2 cup right away on whatever protein I’m cooking, and the rest fits perfectly in the mason jar, which is an airtight container when the lid is on.
I also love using wide-mouth pint mason jars because they’re freezer-friendly! We make a double batch, freeze 2 pints, and leave the rest in the refrigerator for up to 3 months.
Recipe FAQs
Most store-bought BBQ sauces are full of added sugars or artificial sweeteners like aspartame or sucralose and then the caramel color and preservatives. It’s tricky to find a truly sugar free barbecue sauce that isn’t really expensive! So, making it at home with this simple recipe is really the way to go.
2 net carbs! You get that number by subtracting the dietary fiber from the total carbs. You can find more nutritional info in the recipe card below.
More Keto Recipes
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The BEST Keto Sugar Free BBQ Sauce (2 Net Carbs!)
Ingredients
- 1/2 cups balsamic vinegar
- 1/2 cup water, or more to desired consistency
- 1 6-ounce can tomato paste
- 1/4 cup or more to taste of monk fruit (for Whole30 substitute 8 pitted medjool dates
- 2 tablespoons dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Heat a sauce pan over medium low heat. Add all ingredients, stir to combine, and bring to a low simmer for 5 minutes. You don't want it to boil, just get warmed through. Heating will allow the flavors to marry.
- Store in an airtight container or wide mouth pint mason jar. Will keep in the fridge for at least 3 months, or frozen for 1 year.
Notes
Expert Tips & Variations
-
- Gluten-Free: Be sure to use tamari or coconut aminos instead of soy sauce.
-
- Consistency: I find that this BBQ sauce is best when it is thick, so when I brush it on meat and grill it, the BBQ sauce really stays on. I hate it when it’s too runny and drips off. But this is a personal preference. If you like your BBQ sauce thinner, just add water and blend again until it reaches the consistency you like.
-
- Flavor Variations: Depending on your flavor preferences, you can jazz up this keto BBQ sauce recipe in various ways. For a smoky flavor, add a few drops of liquid smoke. For a spicier sauce, add a bit of chili powder or cayenne pepper to taste.
Serving Tips
Use this delicious keto BBQ sauce for beef, chicken, pork chops, ribs, chicken wings, and more! It also works perfectly paired with my Keto Ranch dressing for salads. You can also use it for dressing and dipping sauce.Storage Tips
I store my BBQ sauce in wide-mouth pint mason jars. This recipe makes about 2-1/2 cups. I use 1/2 cup right away on whatever protein I’m cooking, and the rest fits perfectly in the mason jar, which is an airtight container when the lid is on. I also love using wide-mouth pint mason jars because they’re freezer-friendly! I like to make a double batch, freeze 2 pints, and leave the rest in the refrigerator for up to 3 months.This post contains affiliate links, thanks for the love!
134 Comments on “The BEST Keto Sugar Free BBQ Sauce (2 Net Carbs!)”
Not paleo. Soy products are legumes. Mislabeled recipe.
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OMG, this BBQ sauce recipe is the absolute BEST!! I’ve made it with monkfruit and with date paste, both versions are amazing! The only variation I make is in substituting the soy sauce with coconut aminos. Otherwise, I think it’s perfect, as written! I love how quick and easy it is, and I’ve had it keep in the fridge for weeks without problems. Thanks for such a great recipe!
Thank you so much, Martha! This means the world to me!!
Excellent recipe. I did double the monk fruit, salt and pepper(not quite double that) as it was a bit bland to my taste.
I make this all the time! Spicy and sweet (with the dates). My husband and I love it for all of our bbq
Yea! I am so glad you both love it! It’s one of my favorites too!
Loved this recipe! Perfect combo of sweet and tangy. I used the dates for a sweetener. Not sure what the serving size is though, could you please let me know? I saw 17 calories and two cups, just couldn’t find the breakdown. Thanks!
So glad you liked it! It’s my fav! It makes 2 cups total, and the serving size is 2 tablespoons!
I was excited until I saw medjool dates. Is there another more common, easily accessible substitution for that. I already have too many packages of half used, high-priced ingredients spoiling in my pantry.
Of course! If you don’t need this to be Whole30 or keto, you can use 1/4 maple syrup, honey, brown sugar, white sugar, coconut sugar, etc. Or more to taste.
For keto only monkfruit will keep it low carb.
If you need this to be whole30, sadly dates are the approved substitute.
Hi Natalie,
This looks so good! I want to use it tomorrow but I am confused…I thought soy sauce was not allowed on Whole30. Is this true and if it is can you think of a substitute that would be compliant?
Thanks so much for all the great recipes.
And there it is! At the very bottom! I missed that very last line where you say to use coconut aminos instead of soy sauce if you are on Whole30. Answered my own question! Now to go buy those coconut aminos whatever those are.
Haha! No worries! You can find them at Trader Joe’s, Sprouts, and other markets! It’s such a great substitution for so many things!
You would substitute coconut aminos for Whole30! (It’s in the recipe notes 🥰)
Love this recipe.
I use prunes (pitted of couse) instead of the dates, less expensive and gives a richer flavor. I also cut the water in half and add tomato sauce or add both (for anyone who loves tomato). I also add smoked paprika and chipotle power to taste (I’m a texas girl and if it’s not smoky with a kick, it’s not bbq lol). I make this for family dinners and my husband and college aged sons love it, don’t know it’s whole 30 at all.
Hi Nat! Your substitutions are so fun! Love that you have made it your own!
I was so excited to make this but after realizing that it calls for soy sauce, when it is described as being “gluten free, grain free” is highly disappointing. Please remove the “gluten free/grain free” description before someone new to Celiacs makes this not realizing that soy sauce has wheat in it.
Hi Michelle! I appreciate your feedback! At the bottom of the recipe, there are notes that include how to make it gluten free! I hope this helps! Honored to have you here!
Will it change the taste much if you substituted coconut aminos for the soy sauce?
No it won’t change the taste much at all to sub coconut aminos for soy sauce Ashley. They have a very similar flavor profile.
I really like this recipe, but I noticed it now says soy sauce where it used to say coconut aminos.
So glad you liked it Carolyn!
Now that it has soy sauce as an ingredient it’s not paleo :(
I’ll just use coconut aminos as a sub, but I can’t recommend it to others as paleo since it has soy sauce in the ingredients.
Just tried this and it is amazing! I made a few tweaks based off of personal preference. I added a little less vinegar and added two teaspoons of a paleo liquid smoke. Even my picky husband loved it.
I love the tweaks you did to it Molly! Adapting a recipe to your personal taste is always the best idea. So glad your picky husband liked it too!
Love it! Has tang and sweet and I added smidge of Chipolte pepper becuase I like that kick. Thank you for a great recipe, totally works with my BBQ addiction :)
I too have a BBQ addiction Melissa. LOL! I sure hope you like the pulled pork when you make it this weekend. Sounds like you have an awesome weekend planned.
What is a good name brand of tomato paste & Balsamic vinegar that doesn’t have sugar and thickeners in them? Thank You!
I am currently using Sprouts brand organic balsamic vinegar Debra. You can purchase it at any Sprouts store. I also like Thrive market organic tomato paste. You can purchase that at Thrive Market online.
I sure hope you like the BBQ sauce.
This recipe is SO GOOD!! I had no idea how easy it was to make my own BBQ sauce. My husband is obsessed- I’ve made it several times and today he asked me to donate the other BBQ sauce in our pantry because he can’t eat it anymore after having the BBQ I made with your recipe. You ruined store-bought BBQ sauce for him LOL! Congrats on the babe!
I love that it has ruined store bought BBQ sauce for your husband Kara! I am so glad it was easy to make and you have made it several times.
Love this recipe so much and it’s forgiving when I’m missing some of the ingredients! Ha. Topping chicken with it in the crockpot then shredding it up and eating in on top of salads or lettuce wraps is the best meal.
You are so right, it is a very forgiving recipe Caitlin! I also love it on shredded chicken. Yum!
I have to be honest, I have not had much luck with W30 BBQ sauces. They usually turn out tasting like spicey tomato paste But I made this BBQ sauce tonight and OMGGGGG it is soooo good!! I won’t buy another store bought sauce again. I made the recipe as is and to me it was the perfect tangy sweet, but my Mom who has a major sweet tooth thought it was too tangy so I had a few more dates and some pineapple juice for her and it was even better! I had to stop myself from just eating it with a spoon!
I love that you enjoyed it so much you won’t be buying store bought again Cristy. That is a great idea to sweeten it up for your mom. It’s always tricky to adjust recipes for everyone’s personal taste.
A little too sweet for my taste but overall very, very good! I would just use 5-6 dates next time instead of 8!
Finding the right sweetness level is difficult in a BBQ sauce since everyone’s taste is different Emily. That is a fantastic idea to reduce the dates next time. I hope next time you make it it turns out perfect. Thanks so much for the feedback, I really appreciate it.