Paleo + Whole30 BBQ Sauce {Sugar-Free BBQ Sauce}

A delicious smoky homemade Whole30 BBQ sauce that is perfect for ribs, pulled pork, chicken, or even veggies. This paleo BBQ sauce is Whole30 compliant, refined sugar-free, and vegan.

I have a thing for sauces. Whether it is putting homemade Cilantro Chimichurri on eveeeeerything, or drizzling some Lemon Tahini Salad Dressing over a big plate of Air Fryer Cauliflower, I just love how a sauce can change the flavor profile of food!

What Ingredients Are in Whole30 BBQ Sauce?

• Tomato paste
• Pineapple (related: How to Freeze Pineapple)
• Liquids – apple cider vinegar, coconut aminos, yellow mustard, liquid smoke (optional), balsamic vinegar (optional)
• Onion & fresh garlic
• Spices – smoked paprika, black pepper, chili powder, celery seed, sea salt

Need help tracking down Whole30 compliant groceries? Get my totally free Trader Joe’s Whole30 Shopping List and Whole30 Costco Shopping List. I have done all the work for you with checking ingredients and figuring out safe foods.

How to Use Healthy BBQ Sauce

Listen, I’m not telling you how to live your life (confession: that is exactly what I am doing), but it would be a damn shame to not dip some Spicy Sweet Potato Fries in this paleo barbecue sauce.

Mix equal parts bbq sauce with Whole30 mayo or plain Greek yogurt if you consume dairy (related: Easy Instant Pot Yogurt) to make the perfect dipping sauce for Air Fryer Green Bean Fries or Blistered Shishito Peppers. It’s also a key ingredient in our Instant Pot Cowboy Beans.

You can also take any leftovers from a Paleo Roasted Chicken and shred to make BBQ chicken salad or wraps. And while it’s not remotely Whole30 compliant, make this BBQ Chicken Mac and Cheese when you’re off round.

Here’s How to Make It

*Detailed and printable recipe card available at the bottom of the post.

Combine all the ingredients in a large saucepan and cook for 20 minutes. If your sauce becomes too thick, add water 2 tbsp at a time to thin. Pro tip: use a larger pan than you think you need to avoid splatter while stirring.

Yeah, these are the least appetizing photos ever. I get it! But it’s worth it for this delicious paleo BBQ sauce

Transfer to a food processor or blender and blend until smooth. If the sauce is a bit too thick, slowly add additional water, apple cider vinegar, or balsamic vinegar to thin.

That’s it! No need to complicate this ish. Save your brain power for harder things. Like helping your fourth grader with their Common Core math homework.

Pro Tips/Recipe Notes

• Homemade Whole30 BBQ sauce will last for two weeks in the fridge. You can totally freeze it too! 
• If you’re not paleo/Whole30, you can sub in soy sauce for the coconut aminos. 
• Optional: add 1 tsp of Whole30/paleo liquid smoke per batch for an even smokier flavor. Paleo liquid smoke brands: Wright’s, Lazy Kettle, Living Nutritionals, and Cedar House. Check out this article for the rundown on the safety of liquid smoke and common alternatives. Hint: one of them is already in this recipe!
• Sub in balsamic vinegar for half of the water for a deeper and darker homemade sugar-free barbecue sauce.
• You can use 5-7 dates soaked in hot water in lieu of the pineapple.

More Recipes Like this:

• Check out all these Pantry Staples You Can Make Yourself
• Healthy Ranch Dressing
• Gluten-Free Teriyaki Sauce
• Chipotle Southwest Sauce
• Dairy-Free Ranch Dressing
• Whole30 Mayo – Paleo Mayo
• Chocolate Coconut Coffee Creamer
• Garden Fresh Crockpot Spaghetti Sauce

WEIGHT WATCHERS POINTS

One serving has 1 WW Freestyle SmartPoints.

Print Recipe

5 from 2 votes

Paleo + Whole30 BBQ Sauce {Sugar-Free BBQ Sauce}

Prep Time5 mins

Cook Time20 mins

Total Time25 mins

A smoky homemade Whole30 BBQ sauce that is perfect for ribs, pulled pork, chicken, or even veggies. This paleo BBQ sauce is Whole30 compliant and vegan.

Servings: 16

Course: Condiments

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Healthy BBQ Sauce, Paleo BBQ Sauce, Whole30 BBQ Sauce

Calories: 21kcal

Author: Sarah Cook - Sustainable Cooks

Ingredients

• ▢ 6 oz tomato paste
• ▢ 3/4 cup pineapple minced
• ▢ 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
• ▢ 2 tsp smoked paprika
• ▢ 3 cloves garlic minced
• ▢ 1/2 cup onion
• ▢ 1 tsp salt
• ▢ 3 tbsp yellow mustard
• ▢ 2 tbsp coconut aminos
• ▢ 1/2 tsp black pepper
• ▢ 1 tsp chili powder
• ▢ 1/4 tsp celery seed
• ▢ 1/2 cup water

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

• Combine all the ingredients in a large saucepan and cook for 20 minutes. If your sauce becomes too thick, add water 2 tbsp at a time to thin.
• Transfer to a food processor or blender and blend until smooth. If the sauce is a bit too thick, slowly add additional water, apple cider vinegar, or balsamic vinegar to thin.

Notes

Homemade Whole30 BBQ sauce will last for two weeks in the fridge. You can totally freeze it too! 

 

If you're not paleo/Whole30, you can sub in soy sauce for the coconut aminos. 

 

Optional: add 1 tsp of Whole30/paleo liquid smoke per batch for an even smokier flavor. Paleo liquid smoke brands: Wright's, Lazy Kettle, Living Nutritionals, and Cedar House. 

 

Sub in balsamic vinegar for half of the water for a deeper and darker homemade sugar-free barbecue sauce.

 

You can use 5-7 dates soaked in hot water in lieu of the pineapple.

Nutrition Facts

Paleo + Whole30 BBQ Sauce {Sugar-Free BBQ Sauce}

Amount Per Serving (2 tbsp)

Calories 21

% Daily Value*

Fat 0g0%

Saturated Fat 0g0%

Cholesterol 0mg0%

Sodium 170mg7%

Potassium 141mg4%

Carbohydrates 4g1%

Fiber 0g0%

Sugar 2g2%

Protein 0g0%

Vitamin A 340IU7%

Vitamin C 6.6mg8%

Calcium 10mg1%

Iron 0.5mg3%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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