I’m a Certified Nutrition Coach, gluten-free recipe creator, and home detoxification expert with a focus on gut health. I show burned-out women with digestive issues how to take a proactive, holistic approach to healing by sharing nutrient-dense recipes, and sustainable lifestyle tips that are easy to implement in everyday life.
There’s something deeply satisfying about making your condiments from scratch, especially when they’re as simple and flavorful as this homemade barbecue sauce. This no-cook recipe skips the simmering and saves time while still delivering the bold, balanced flavor you expect.
I started making barbecue sauce back when my gut was a mess and I needed to avoid some common ingredients that were triggering inflammation. Years later, I still prefer this homemade barbecue sauce recipe to anything store-bought. It’s made with simple, wholesome, gluten-free ingredients and none of that artificially tasting smoke flavor that makes you gag.
Homemade barbecue sauce is a delicious addition to Ground Bison or oven-baked chicken thighs. You can stir it into burger bowls or toss it with a warm bowl of Sweet Potato Hash or roasted cauliflower. No matter how you use it, you can expect that rich, subtly smoky-sweet tang in every bite.
Whole-Food Ingredients: This recipe is gluten-free with no preservatives, thickeners, artificial flavors, or dyes.
Customizable: Easily adjust the sodium, sugar, and spice levels for your needs.
Ingredients
TOMATO PASTE – The foundation of all homemade barbecue sauce. Grab organic if you can.
COCONUT AMINOS – Adds smoky sweetness without much sugar. Coconut Secret is my go-to gluten-free brand. It’s less syrupy than others.
RAW HONEY –Balances the acidity. See alternative variations below.
BRAGG LIQUID AMINOS – Give the sauce dimension with its salty, umami flavor. Trust me, it tastes so much better than salt alone. Plus, it’s gluten-free.
PAPRIKA – Lends a smokey-sweet flavor. Hungarian Paprika is my favorite variety, but use what you like.
GRANULATED ONION & GARLIC – Try with Roasted Granulated Garlic for even more flavor–it’s amazing! Leave these out if they bother your digestion.
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How to Make Homemade Barbecue Sauce
This really couldn’t be easier.
Combine all the ingredients in a small glass or ceramic bowl and whisk until well combined.
Adjust the seasonings to taste before using.
Refrigerate any leftover sauce in a sealed glass jar for up to 7 days.
Barbecue Chicken Safety Tip
This homemade barbecue sauce recipe yields about ¼ cup, twice as much as needed for 1-2 pounds of chicken. To avoid contamination, pour out only what you need to brush on the meat.
Never return the brush to the sauce after touching raw chicken (unless you plan to use the entire amount).
Variations
Soy-Free: If you have a soy allergy or don’t have Bragg Liquid Aminos, use 1 heaping ¼ teaspoon salt (such as Real Salt) instead.
Maple Syrup: Make a vegan barbecue sauce by swapping the honey for pure maple syrup (bonus points if it’s from Vermont!). The maple adds a slightly different flavor that pairs well with a variety of dishes.
No Added Sugar: Omit the honey and use Pure Liquid Monk Fruit Drops instead. 15-20 drops is the rough equivalent.
Spicy: Give your homemade barbecue sauce a kick with ancho chili, chipotle, or cayenne pepper powder. I can’t take the heat, so experiment with the amount that works for you and report back in the comments below.
FAQs
How long does homemade BBQ sauce last?
Tomato-based sauces, such as homemade BBQ sauce, will last 5-7 days in the refrigerator in a tightly sealed glass jar.
What is the secret to good barbecue sauce?
The secret to good barbecue sauce is flavor balance. The best barbecue sauces have a combination of savory tomato, tangy vinegar, and a touch of sweetness to balance the acidity. From there, you can add additional seasonings to suit your taste.
What is the base for most barbecue sauce?
Tomato is the base for barbecue sauce. You can use tomato paste, tomato puree, tomato sauce, or ketchup. This recipe uses tomato paste for its thick texture and concentrated flavor.
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The perfect balance of sweet, smoky, tangy, and savory, this homemade barbecue sauce recipe is a healthy alternative to store-bought options. This no-cook condiment is ready to serve in less than 5 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
1/4 cuptomato paste
1 tablespoon + 1 teaspooncoconut aminos
1 tablespoonraw honey or maple syrup (see notes)
2 teaspoonsBragg Liquid Aminos (see notes)
1 teaspoonraw apple cider vinegar
1 teaspoonpaprika
1/2 teaspoongranulated onion
1/4 teaspoongranulated garlic
Instructions
Combine all the ingredients in a small glass or ceramic bowl and whisk until well combined.
Adjust the seasonings to taste before using.
Refrigerate leftover sauce in a sealed glass jar for up to 7 days.
Notes
Substitutions:
·Soy-Free: Omit the Bragg Liquid Aminos and use 1 heaping ¼ teaspoon salt instead.
·Vegan Barbecue Sauce: Use pure maple syrup in place of honey.
·No Added Sugar: Swap the honey for Pure Liquid Monk Fruit Drops to taste (15-20 drops is the rough equivalent).
·Add Heat: Give your homemade barbecue sauce a kick with a little ancho chili, chipotle, or cayenne pepper to taste.
Food Safety: This recipe yields about twice as much as needed to coat 1-2 pounds of barbecue chicken. To avoid contamination, dish out only as much as needed and then brush it onto the meat. Never put the brush back into the barbecue sauce container after it touches raw chicken.
