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A sugar free BBQ sauce is exactly what you need to take your dinner from bland to outstanding. But where on earth do you find one? Getting high quality, low carb keto BBQ sauce on the shelf at your local grocery market isn’t easy… and when you do, “sugar free barbecue sauce” is usually code for flavor-free and full of artificial ingredients. No, thanks.
Before developing this recipe, I thought store-bought sauces with sucralose were the only way to enjoy that sweet and smoky flavor — but there’s a better way! This rich, tangy, smoky sugar free BBQ sauce has been popular every summer for years, and for good reason. It packs a flavorful punch with no added sugar, and will take your chicken, easy grilling recipes, or whatever else you’re cooking up to the next level. Readers have even told me it won awards in contests. Fire up that grill and get cooking!
Why You’ll Love This Sugar Free BBQ Sauce Recipe
- Sweet, smoky and tangy taste
- Thick and smooth texture
- Ready in less than 30 minutes
- No artificial preservatives, thickeners, colors, or sweeteners
- Just 3.5g net carbs per serving
- Healthy, gluten free, sugar free BBQ sauce for tons of flavor
- Award winning in reader contests!
Since BBQ sauce is a bit sweet, we’re swapping out the sugar, high fructose corn syrup, and artificial sweeteners with Besti Powdered Monk Fruit Allulose Blend. This blend gives super smooth texture to sauces, all with 0g net carbs and just-like-sugar sweetness. I use it to make sugar free ketchup, too!
Ingredients & Substitutions
This section explains how to choose the best sugar free barbecue sauce ingredients, what each one does in the recipe, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card below.
- Tomato Paste – Gives BBQ sauce a thick, rich texture and natural sweetness. If you don’t have any, you can use triple the amount of tomato sauce instead and just simmer for longer to thicken.
- Apple Cider Vinegar – Adds tang. If you don’t have any, you can use white vinegar or lemon juice for a similar tart alternative.
- Besti Powdered Monk Fruit Allulose Blend – I exclusively use and recommend this one because it dissolves completely, unlike other sugar substitutes that can leave your keto BBQ sauce recipe gritty or crystallize when you store it. If you still want to use something else, make sure it’s powdered and use my sweetener conversion chart to get the correct quantity.
- Worcestershire Sauce – Adds umami flavor and slight sweetness. I like this one, which is gluten-free. Technically it contains a trivial amount of sugar, but with 2 tablespoons of Worcestershire sauce used for the entire recipe, each serving would contain only 1/20 tablespoon of it (like a drop). If you prefer, you could omit it or use a dash of blackstrap molasses with a little water instead.
- Liquid Hickory Smoke – For true barbecue flavor, this ingredient makes the biggest difference — don’t skip it! Many grocery stores carry liquid smoke near other seasonings or condiments, or you can find the one I use online here.
- Spices – Like many store bought brands, this sauce uses a combination of smoked paprika, sea salt, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper (more or less depending how spicy you like it), and chili powder to give the perfect flavor.
VARIATION: Want brown sugar flavor?
Replace half of the Besti powdered sweetener with Besti Brown Sugar Substitute! It dissolves just as easily and tastes just like brown sugar, with zero net carbs.
How To Make Sugar Free BBQ Sauce
This section shows how to make keto BBQ sauce, with step-by-step photos and details about the technique, to help you visualize it. For full instructions, including amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card below.
TIP: Water quantity will vary.
Start with a cup of water, then whisk in a bit more at a time, until it reaches a consistency slightly thinner than barbecue sauce. I ended up using about 1 1/2 cups of water, but it will vary depending on how thick your tomato paste is.
- Cook to reduce. Bring to a gentle boil at medium-high heat, then reduce to medium-low. Simmer, stirring frequently, until thickened to your liking.
- Adjust sweetness and heat. Taste and add more Besti or cayenne pepper, if desired.
Storage Instructions
- Store: Keep homemade sugar free BBQ sauce in a mason jar, airtight container, or condiment bottle in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
- Freeze: Keep in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months. You can also freeze in an ice cube tray, then transfer to a freezer bag, to have individual portions on hand for your favorite recipes.
Best Keto BBQ Sauce Uses
You just can’t beat the sweet, smoky, tangy flavors in this sugar free BBQ sauce recipe. It can add a kick of flavor to so many dishes! Here are some of my favorite ways to use it:
- Chicken – Make a BBQ chicken pizza on cauliflower crust, baste crispy oven baked chicken thighs with sauce, or use as a dipping sauce for keto chicken nuggets or keto chicken tenders. You can also toss your shredded chicken in it!
- Beef – Slather sirloin steak, ribs, or chuck eye steak with keto BBQ sauce before throwing them on the grill. Or, use it to top keto meatloaf instead of ketchup.
- Pork – Make pulled pork sandwiches or slather sauce on air fryer pork chops.
More Low Carb Sauce Recipes
Keep sugar and fillers out of your sauces with these recipes. If you like this low carb BBQ sauce, you’ll love these other keto sauces to pair with your favorite low carb mains:
Keto Sugar Free BBQ Sauce
Sugar Free BBQ Sauce (Keto)
Satisfy your craving for barbecue with this sweet, smoky, and tangy keto sugar free BBQ sauce. It's so easy to make and has won awards!
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Ingredients
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Instructions
Tap on the times in the instructions below to start a kitchen timer while you cook.
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Whisk all ingredients together in a saucepan, adding the water last. Start with a cup of water, then whisk in a bit more at a time, until it reaches a consistency *slightly thinner* than barbecue sauce. I ended up using about 1 1/2 cups of water, but it will vary depending on how thick your tomato paste is.
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Bring to a gentle boil at medium-high heat, then reduce to medium-low. Simmer, stirring frequently, for 20 minutes, or until slightly thickened.
- Taste and adjust sweetener or cayenne pepper if you prefer the sauce to be sweeter or spicier. If it’s still thicker than you like, you can stir in additional water, a tablespoon at a time, until reaching desired consistency.
Last Step: Leave A Rating!
Share your recipe picture by tagging @wholesomeyum and hashtag it #wholesomeyum on Instagram, or in our free low carb support group, too – I’d love to see it!
Readers Who Liked This Easy Recipe Also Made:
Recipe Notes
Serving size: 2 tbsp
- Entire recipe makes 2 1/2 cups.
- The Worcestershire sauce linked in the ingredients list is gluten-free. Technically it contains a little sugar, but with 2 tablespoons of Worcestershire sauce used for the entire recipe, each serving would contain only 1/20 tablespoon of it (like a drop). This is factored into the nutrition info and net carbs below. If you prefer, you could even omit it or use a dash of molasses with a little water instead, but it would affect the flavor.
Nutrition facts are provided as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see our nutrition policy.
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271 Comments
Patti
0I made this and added extra cayenne, I like the heat 😊. I didn’t have liquid smoke I’ll try get some and try that next time. This is so good. I like the vinegar taste. Thank you.
Country Roads
0This was a delicious recipe. I ended up using a 28-ounce can of tomato puree in place of paste to make a double batch. It worked out fine, since I decreased the water amount and then simmered to the desired thickness. Hubby and son loved it on their pulled pork! I imagine the sauce will be even better after having a chance to sit in the fridge for 24 hours. (If the menfolk don’t use it all up, first.) Thank you for sharing!
Jenny
0I made this tonight to have with pulled lamb in tacos. It was delicious. I was wondering how long the rest of it will last in the fridge? Do you think it could be made in bulk and canned? I’d like to have it on hand all the time as a healthier option for my sauce loving family. Thanks so much for the recipe.
Wholesome Yum D
0Hi Jenny, It keeps well for at least a week, and yes, you could store the sauce in jars.
Kim
0Delicious. I just made bbq salad. 100 times better than store bought sugar free. Of course I used the Besti sweetener! Thank you so much!
Nancy M.
0Thank you so much for the BBQ sauce recipe. It’s a delicious replacement for commercial sauces. My non-low carb husband said he would never need store bought sauces again. I halved the recipe because there are only two of us. I don’t have the brand name products that you use, so it may taste and act slightly different, but the sauce is delicious, nonetheless. I highly recommend it.
Karen
0Why are SODIUM nutritional values not shown???
Wholesome Yum D
0Hi Karen, Sodium is not a nutritional value traditionally tracked on keto.
Thecla
0Hello,
the Lazy Kettle Brand All Natural Liquid hickory Smoke cannot be bought in the Netherlands, with what I can sub this? I cannot order it on amazon.com and amazon.nl does not sell it.
Wholesome Yum D
0Hi Thecla, You can use any liquid smoke or omit it if you can’t access this ingredient.
Joni
0This was delicious BBQ sauce on chicken. The next day, we mixed it in to a pot of seasoned ground beef and at it as “Sloppy Joe’s”. That was the best we’d ever had! Kids ate it on a bun and hubby and I ate it in a zuchinni boat baked in the oven.
Allen Burt
0As with almost all your Keto (life saving) recipies, the BBQ sauce has rave reviews from freinds and family. Tonight we are haveing it on pulled Pork slow cooked Yum! 🙂
Heather G.
0This is one of the best BBQ sauces I have ever made- but #1 for me, being sugar free! Easy, fast to make and tastes great! I did not have liquid smoke(and Sunday night) so subbed smoked paprika that I had on hand instead. Will definitely make again. Thank you!
Crissie
0This BBQ sauce is divine! Not only delicious but easy to make! I made enough to jar for the future too. Ended up using a full cup of water added to get the consistency I like (slightly on the thicker side). Family loves it too. Winner!
Kate
0Love this recipe! I added 2 Tbsp of brown sweetener in the end because we like it a little bit sweeter but other than that it’s very good!! I’m putting ribs in the crockpot in the morning with it! Can’t wait! Definitely missing BBQ sauce on Keto!
Jimmi
0Fantastic BBQ sauce recipe! Perfect as is, but I decided to add and grind up about 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper and an extra slight shake of cayenne. I discovered the recipe and your site on Google but realize I watched one of your video recipes the other day as well. A great resource you’ve put together, and looking forward to more great dishes and recipes!
Janet watkins
0I appreciate your recipes I’m trying to eat low carb to lose weight. Thank you.
Melissa
0Can it be frozen?
Wholesome Yum D
0Hi Melissa, Yes you can freeze the BBQ sauce.