Finding a bottle of barbecue sauce with no added sugar can feel impossible. Sugar is a common ingredient in most store-bought BBQ sauces, which makes locating a Whole30-compliant option difficult—and creating one from scratch can be intimidating. After testing and tweaking, this Whole30 BBQ Sauce hits the balance: tangy and vinegary with a touch of heat and subtle sweetness, without any added sugars.
This recipe is simple and uses just a handful of pantry staples. It comes together quickly—combine the ingredients in a saucepan, simmer until the sauce thickens and the flavors meld, and you’re done. In about 20 minutes you’ll have a versatile, Whole30-friendly BBQ sauce that works on everything from grilled meats to sandwiches and sliders.
ingredients:
- Tomato sauce (one 16-ounce can)
- Balsamic vinegar (1/4 cup)
- Garlic cloves, minced (2)
- Yellow mustard (1 tablespoon)
- Crystal hot sauce (or another hot sauce you prefer, 2 teaspoons)
- Smoked paprika (1/2 teaspoon)
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
step-by-step:
step one: make the bbq sauce
Combine all ingredients in a small saucepan set over medium heat. Stir occasionally and let the sauce simmer until it slightly thickens and the flavors meld, about 10 minutes. Taste and adjust salt, pepper, or hot sauce to your preference.
step two: cool and store
Remove the pan from heat and let the sauce cool completely. Transfer to a mason jar or airtight container and refrigerate for up to 7 days.
recipe faqs:
Tabasco or another vinegar-based hot sauce works well as a substitute. Adjust the amount to match your heat preference.
Yes. Freeze the sauce in deli containers or a glass jar, leaving about an inch of headspace for expansion. It will keep for up to three months in the freezer.
This Whole30 BBQ Sauce is extremely versatile—use it on pulled pork, chicken, burgers, tacos, or to add smoky tang to roasted vegetables. Try it on recipes that normally call for sweetened BBQ sauce; the vinegar and spice give it depth without added sugar. If you try it, leave a comment to share how you used it!
looking for recipes to put this bbq sauce to use? try these!
Instant Pot Whole30 BBQ Pulled Pork
Whole30 BBQ Pulled Pork Sliders
Whole30 BBQ Sauce
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Ingredients
- 1 (16-ounce) can tomato sauce
- 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
- 2 teaspoons Crystal hot sauce (or substitute)
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- kosher salt, to taste
- freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
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Combine all ingredients in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir and simmer until the sauce thickens and flavors meld, about 10 minutes.
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Allow to cool completely, then transfer to a mason jar or airtight container. Refrigerate for up to 7 days or freeze for longer storage.
Nutrition information is an estimate and provided for reference only.