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It’s barbecue season again, and nothing completes a grill feast like a delicious barbecue sauce. But here’s the catch – most store-bought sauces are packed with sugar. While a little now and then isn’t a big deal, it’s always great to have a healthier option on hand. Enter: this quick, sugar-free barbecue sauce that’s full of flavor and ready in just 15 minutes!
Table of contents
Why This Recipe Works
- Fast & fuss-free – Ready in 15 minutes!
- Naturally sweetened – No refined sugar, just wholesome ingredients.
- Customizable – Make it sweeter with extra dates or honey, smokier with more paprika, or spicy with a chili kick.
Recipe Ingredients:
- 300 g tomato purée
- 100 ml boiling water, plus extra if needed to thin
- 3 Medjool dates, finely chopped (or 1-2 tbsp honey/maple syrup as an alternative)
- 3 tbsp apple cider vinegar (or any vinegar you prefer)
- 2 tbsp coconut aminos (or soy sauce)
- ½ tbsp coconut oil (or olive oil)
- ½ tsp mustard powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp onion powder
- 150 ml water, for simmering
I love using this simple barbecue sauce recipe even with some chicken satay or grilled prawns. You can make the sauce spicier if you want by adding some piri piri sauce or gochujang. Another great and simple sauce is this teriyaki sauce too.
How To Make The Sugar Free Barbecue Sauce
Step 1: Soften & Blend
In a blender, combine tomato purée, boiling water, vinegar, and chopped dates. Let it sit for 10 minutes to soften the dates slightly.
Blend until smooth. Scrape down the sides if needed. Set aside.
Step 2: Toast the Spices
Heat coconut oil in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add mustard powder, smoked paprika, onion powder, and coconut aminos. Stir for about 30 seconds until fragrant—don’t let it burn!
Step 3: Simmer to Thicken
Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the blended tomato mixture. Add 150 ml of water and return to the stove. Simmer gently with the lid on (it splatters a lot!) until thickened to your liking. Remember, it’ll thicken more as it cools.
Step 4: Cool & Store
Let the sauce cool, then transfer to a clean jar. Store in the fridge for up to 2 weeks, or freeze for up to 3 months.
Serving Suggestions:
This sauce is perfect with grilled chicken, steak, or roasted veggies. You can even use it as a dip for cauliflower bites! Love sauces? Don’t miss our quick peanut sauce, garlic sauce, gorgonzola sauce and classic cocktail sauce.
More Easy Sauce Recipes
Sugar-free barbecue sauce
Ingredients
- 300 grams tomato purée
- 100 ml boiling water plus extra water to thin if necessary
- 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 3 Medjool dates finely chopped
- 1/2 tablespoon coconut oil
- 1/2 teaspoon mustard powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 2 tablespoons coconut aminos
Instructions
- Combine tomato purée, boiling water, apple cider vinegar, and finely chopped dates in a blender. Let stand for 10 minutes to soften the dates slightly.
- Blend the ingredients until smooth. If necessary, scrape the sides a few times to ensure everything is well mixed. Set the tomato purée mixture aside.
- Heat the coconut oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the mustard powder, smoked paprika, onion powder, and coconut aminos. Stir until fragrant. This takes about 30 seconds.
- Remove the pan from the heat, add the tomato purée mixture, and stir well. Add 150 ml of water, then return the saucepan to the heat. Simmer gently with the lid on – it will splatter quite a bit – until the sauce has reached the desired thickness. Keep in mind that the sauce will thicken as it cools.
- Remove the pan from the heat and allow the sauce to cool. Transfer it to a clean, sealable jar, and store it in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.
Nutrition Information per portion:
Disclaimer:
The nutritional values above are calculated per portion. The details are based on standard nutritional tables and do not constitute a professional nutritional advice.
FAQ sugar-free barbecue sauce
Yes! Freeze in portions and use within 3 months
If you’re not a fan of dates you can swap them for honey, maple syrup or coconut blossom sugar. You can also skip sweeteners altogether for a tangier kick
It will be vegan if you stick to either the dates or a vegan sweeteners such as maple syrup.
