Clean Eating Barbecue Sauce Recipe (2024)

ByTiffany McCauley

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This homemade barbecue sauce is a great replacement for the sugar-filled stuff you get at the store.

A lot of you have asked me for this but I put it off for a while because frankly, I buy my barbecue sauce. It’s clean, and I love it. But I also understand that many of you may not have access to buying clean barbecue sauce. So I relented and whipped this up for dinner the other night.

Clean Eating Barbecue Sauce Recipe (1)

My ex husband loved it, Mini Chef refused to even try it (he’s was going through a phase), I enjoyed it but wish I had put it on the chicken while it was still on the grill. I just schmeared it on after the chicken was done, and that was not such a hot idea. In fact, next time, I think I’ll marinate the chicken in the sauce first before barbecuing it because The flavors never got a chance to really get into the chicken. But it was good! We even dipped polenta squares into it. Yum! And needless to say, I think it will be a while before I buy barbecue sauce again. this was just too easy and too yummy.

MORE HEALTHY CONDIMENT RECIPES:

  • Traditional Basil Pesto Sauce
  • Mayonnaise

HOMEMADE BARBECUE SAUCE RECIPE:

Clean Eating Barbecue Sauce Recipe (3)

Homemade Barbecue Sauce

Need a healthier barbecue sauce? Look no further! This clean eating barbecue sauce is delicious as a marinade or brushed on at the grill.

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Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes minutes

Servings: 13 servings

Calories: 138kcal

Ingredients

  • 15 oz. canned tomato sauce (no sugar added)
  • 6 oz. can tomato paste (no sugar added)
  • 1 tsp. low sodium soy sauce OR coconut aminos
  • ½ cup oil
  • 2 tsp. ground cumin
  • 1 tsp. paprika
  • 1 tbsp. garlic powder
  • 1 tbsp. onion powder
  • ¼ cup unsulphured molasses
  • 3 tbsp. honey
  • 3 tbsp. balsamic vinegar

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • Combine all ingredients together in a medium mixing bowl and mix well using a whisk.

  • Use as you would any other bbq sauce!

Notes

Please note that the nutrition data below is a ballpark figure. Exact data is not possible.

Nutrition

Serving: 0.25cup | Calories: 138kcal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 8g | Sodium: 293mg | Potassium: 386mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 11g | Vitamin A: 540IU | Vitamin C: 5.4mg | Calcium: 36mg | Iron: 1.8mg

This recipe from the Gracious Pantry® archives, originally posted 6/19/11.

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  1. Enjoyed the BBQ until the next day, my family didn’t like the consistency. The sauce didn’t stay smooth, does anyone have a suggestion to keeping it smooth and also from separating??

    Reply

    1. Nicole – Heat it up again and add some olive oil. That should smooth it out pretty well.

      Reply

  2. I have to say, I have a son who is allergic to apple & “natural smoke flavor” & this is the FIRST BBQ sauce recipe I’ve found that doesn’t have either! I had given up on a safe BBQ sauce, because when I’ve tried just omitting the liquid smoke, it never actually tasted like BBQ sauce. I’ll definitely be trying this! Thanks!

    Reply

    1. Keira – Awesome!! I hope you enjoy it! 🙂

      Reply

  3. I have a BBQ recipe that calls for 4 C. brown sugar, I understand if you use molasses, the sauce will be thicker….

    How muck molasses should I use??????

    Reply

    1. Larry – I had to look this one up. What I found was this: 1 cup Molasses. = 3/4 cup Brown Sugar (firmly packed) But I’m not sure if that much molasses is a good idea. I would maybe mix in a bit of real maple syrup to offset it a bit. Otherwise the flavor could be a little off.

      Reply

  4. By unsoldered molasses, do you mean unsulphured? Thank you.

    Reply

    1. Leanne – Yes! Thank you for letting me know. It’s been fixed. 🙂

      Reply

  5. What kind of oil do you use?

    Reply

    1. Holly – Any type you usually use. I’ve used olive, grapeseed… even coconut oil. Whatever you have handy is fine.

      Reply

  6. Is there a substitute for molasses for this recipe?

    Reply

    1. Brandi – You can use any sweetener you like. The flavor will be different, but it should still work.

      Reply

  7. What is the serving size used?

    Reply

    1. Jessica – Sorry for the delayed response. I’m going to remake it tomorrow to make sure I give you an accurate answer. Sorry for the wait…

      Reply

    2. Okay, I updated the information. Hope that helps!

      Reply

Clean Eating Barbecue Sauce Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is a healthy substitute for BBQ sauce? ›

Fruit-based sauces are a great option for people looking to cut down the acid content in tomato base sauces like the BBQ. These sauces use fruits like pineapples, mangos, apricots, apples, and even peaches to enhance the taste while doing away with the need to add granulated sugar.

Is white vinegar or apple cider vinegar better for BBQ sauce? ›

The needed acidity for balance is there but without all the sharp edges of white vinegar. Whether you're using your barbecue sauce on pulled pork, ribs, chicken, or meatballs, a little apple cider vinegar can really improve the flavor.

How healthy is barbecue sauce? ›

Bottled barbecue sauce is far from healthy, but that doesn't mean you have to banish it from your picnic menu. Look for brands with the lowest amount of added sugars, and resist the temptation to overpour.

Which is the healthiest barbecue sauce? ›

Texas Pete E.

It's made with just five ingredients and no corn syrup. At 15 calories per serving, it's probably the "healthiest" barbecue sauce on this list.

What is a substitute for 1 cup of BBQ sauce? ›

Make your own barbecue sauce by combining ¾ cup ketchup, 2 tablespoons mustard, and 2 tablespoons brown sugar.

What is a good substitute for BBQ sauce in pulled pork? ›

Here are some alternatives:
  • **Vinegar-Based Sauce:** You can use a vinegar-based sauce, such as Eastern Carolina-style barbecue sauce. ...
  • **Mustard-Based Sauce:** Mustard-based barbecue sauce, often found in South Carolina, is a combination of mustard, vinegar, sugar, and spices. ...
  • **Tomato-Based Sauce:** If.
Nov 1, 2023

What is the best alternative to BBQ? ›

WAYS TO GRILL WITHOUT A GRILL
  1. GRILLING ON A STOVETOP. You can turn your cooktop into a grill station with the help of a cast iron or aluminum grill pan. ...
  2. GRILLING IN AN OVEN. ...
  3. GRILLING IN AN AIR FRYER.

Why add apple cider vinegar to BBQ sauce? ›

Apple Cider Vinegar: Apple cider vinegar is a versatile choice for BBQ sauce. It has a slightly fruity and tangy flavor that pairs well with the smoky and savory elements of BBQ. It adds a pleasant acidity and a touch of sweetness to the sauce.

What is a substitute for vinegar in BBQ sauce? ›

The best thing to use is lemon juice or fortified wine. Note: you'll have to adjust the amounts used For example if the recipe calls for a tablespoon of vinegar, replace it with two tablespoons of lemon juice. Is it easy to make barbecue sauce at home with basic ingredients? Yes, barbecue sauce is easy to make.

What does apple cider vinegar do for BBQ? ›

Spritzing meat helps prevent it from drying out, enhances the flavour profile, promotes a crispy crust outside with tender meat inside, and helps rubs absorb better. My favourite choice for spritzing meat is a mix of apple cider vinegar and water as it helps balance fatty cuts of meat, add moisture, and inject flavour.

Is Sweet Baby Ray's BBQ sauce healthy? ›

Sweet Baby Ray's also uses sodium benzoate as a preservative, which can convert to the carcinogen benzene (via Healthline). Overall, you should consider having Sweet Baby Ray's as an occasional treat, rather than as a dietary fixture.

Is there a healthy BBQ? ›

Using leaner cuts of meat can greatly reduce your saturated fat intake. Buying loin of pork instead of ribs, or lean steak rather than a fattier cut, are healthier choices. And don't forget to remove skin from chicken. It might be more expensive to buy leaner meat, so you need to think differently about how you use it.

What brand of barbecue sauce does not have high fructose corn syrup? ›

Mad Dog & Merrill's #ONE Premium BBQ Sauce - HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP FREE. No High Fructose Corn Syrup, Artificial Flavors or Preservatives! For 30 plus years, we created sauces for grillin'. Mad Dog & Merrill's #ONE is the first and favorite.

What are the three types of BBQ sauce? ›

Generally, barbecue sauces is categorized into four varieties: tomato-based sauces, vinegar-based sauces, mustard-based sauces, and mayonnaise-based sauces. Each category can have a range of BBQ sauce styles, ranging from sweet and tangy to hot and spicy.

What BBQ sauce does not have high fructose corn syrup? ›

Stubb's Sweet Honey and Spice BBQ Sauce | Gluten Free, No High Fructose Corn Syrup - 18 oz. (Pack of 5)

How do you clean a BBQ without chemicals? ›

5 chemical-free ways to clean your BBQ
  1. Soda Scrub down. Baking soda. ...
  2. Antibacterial Cleaner. From bathroom germs to barbecue grime, full-strength white vinegar is pungent on the nose, and on the grease. ...
  3. Beer Bath. Yes, you heard right. ...
  4. Lemon Rub. ...
  5. Pressure cooker.

What is real BBQ sauce? ›

Ingredients vary, but most include vinegar or tomato paste (or a combination) as a base, as well as liquid smoke, onion powder, spices such as mustard and black pepper, and sweeteners such as sugar or molasses.

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