Name: Healthy BBQ Sauce
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: 1 - 15 oz can tomato sauce; 2 tbsp tomato paste; 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar; 2 tbsp honey; 2 tbsp molasses; 1 tsp tamari (or soy sauce if not gf); 1 tsp smoked paprika; 2 tsp ground mustard; 1 tsp salt; 1/2 tsp pepper; 1 tsp onion powder; 1 tsp garlic powder

Say goodbye to store bought BBQ sauce because after trying this healthy homemade version, you'll never go back! Healthy BBQ Sauce is made from simple ingredients and is ready in just 15 minutes. This paleo sauce is sure to become a dinner time staple.

A Quick Look

Recipe Name: Healthy BBQ Sauce
Ready In: 20 minutes
Serves: 2 cups
Main Ingredients: can tomato sauce, tomato paste, apple cider vinegar, honey, molasses, tamari, smoked paprika, ground mustard
Why You'll Love It: Say goodbye to store bought BBQ sauce because after trying this healthy homemade version, you'll never go back! Healthy BBQ Sauce is made from simple ingredients and is ready in just 15 minutes. This paleo sauce is sure to become a dinner time staple.

The ultimate homemade BBQ sauce

If you're anything like me and obsessed with all types of sauces, then you're going to love this healthy BBQ sauce. After all, food is just a vehicle for the sauce! Just kidding... kind of.

This sauce can be put on anything under the sun especially my Healthy BBQ Chicken Thighs. I even found myself dipping my celery in it the other night when we made homemade wings! Talk about tasty.

This recipe uses just 12 ingredients, many of which are spices. The end result is a sauce that's rich and flavorful and so very savory. To make it, all you have to do is mix everything on the stove!

It's completely paleo, dairy-free, and made with easy ingredients. You can bottle it up and store it in the fridge so you have it on demand whenever a meal calls for it! And yes, it's great for marinating too.

Ingredients in healthy BBQ sauce

Many of these ingredients are probably right in your spice cabinet! When all is said and done, you're gonna be hooked at the first bite.

Tomato sauce
Tomato paste
Apple cider vinegar
Honey
Molasses
Tamari (or soy sauce if gluten is OK)
Smoked paprika
Ground mustard
Salt
Pepper
Onion powder
Garlic powder

Tools used in this recipe for BBQ sauce

To make homemade BBQ sauce, all you'll need is a medium sized saucepan and a stirring utensil. For measuring the ingredients, you'll need the following sizes: ½ tsp, 1 tsp, 1 tbsp, and ½ cup.

How to make BBQ sauce

This whole recipe makes about two cups of sauce, which is a great amount and enough to keep extras stored in the fridge.

To start the cooking process, heat a medium sized saucepan over medium heat. Combine the tomato sauce, tomato paste, honey, molasses, and vinegar.

Next, add the tamari and the rest of the spices. Let everything simmer for 15 minutes on low heat, stirring occasionally.

Once finished, pour into jars and let completely cool at room temperature before storing.

This sauce will last in the refrigerator for up to one month.

A healthier sauce option

As I got older and started to be more intentional about the foods I consume, I got really into ingredients and learning what should and shouldn't make its way onto our plates.

I realized that there was a reason I loved BBQ sauce so much... the sugar! Sweet Baby Ray's BBQ sauce has always been my favorite, but I knew there had to be a way to achieve the same savory flavor without using so much sugar.

The answer was in a classic tomato paste, tomato sauce, honey, and molasses combo. Together, these ingredients (along with 8 others) make a delicious sauce that rivals the "real" thing. By keeping the ingredients as natural as possible, we're able to achieve a healthier result that doesn't even compare to processed brands.

Now, I'll probably never buy store-bought BBQ sauce again!

healthy bbq sauce chicken salad with toppings

Servin' up homemade BBQ sauce

Once you've created your sauce, how should you use it? Well, the options really are endless.

You can use it to marinate chicken and enjoy it with side veggies or atop a BBQ chicken salad with onions, tomatoes, cilantro, cheese, and sauerkraut.

You can also use it to marinate steak or to dip your favorite veggies (and yes, that includes french fries!). Here are three yummy ways to use your sauce.

More sauce (and dip!) recipes

In the mood to try some more homemade sauces? Here are some fun ideas! I'm also sharing two of my favorite dips. All of these recipes are perfect for enjoying at summer BBQs!

Erin Antoniak