Although some of you may think it a stretch to make your own condiments, I make almost everything from scratch, which includes my healthy BBQ sauce. Yes, I sometimes buy store-bought condiments, but I generally limit the ingredients to 4 or 5 depending on what they are. And, I personally like my BBQ sauce recipe better than the store-bought version.
Now that I've been plant-based for over a decade, I'm shocked I used to buy store-bought sauces and dressings! Do you have any idea what's in that stuff? When I first became plant-based, I figured if any product was vegan, it was all good. NOPE! I could use the excuse that I can't see the labels now, without my reading glasses on, but that would be a lie. Not the part about needing the reading glasses, but actually reading the labels before I buy products. Instead, I used an app, which very conveniently told me if a product was vegan or not.
Of course, now I read every label before I buy anything, but I usually just shop in the produce section and leave.
Even though I do often try store-bought products, to rate them for you, I prefer homemade over store-bought any day. And healthy BBQ sauce is no exception. The fun of making your own condiments is you can change up the flavors easily and make it unique each as every time.
(BBQ CAULIFLOWER)
THE REASONS WHY YOU MAKE YOUR OWN BBQ SAUCE
Let's be honest, buying store-bought condiments is more convenient and sometimes cheaper. But, at what risk? Even though I always look for fat-free, or oil-free brands, I realized salt, sugar, and preservatives replace the fat. Basically, when you eat store-bought products, especially those that have ingredients you can't pronounce, you have no idea what you are putting into your body.
For the sake of argument, I took a popular vegan BBQ Sauce, Sweet Baby Rays, and checked out the 21 ingredients.
- Water
- Tomato Paste
- Distilled Vinegar
- Allulose (sugar substitute)
- Salt
- Corn Starch
- Apple Cider Vinegar
- Garlic
- Caramel Color
- Natural Smoke Flavor (liquid smoke)
- Natural flavor (mystery ingredient)
- Potassium Sorbate(a chemical additive used as a preservative)
- Sodium benzoate (chemical pickling agent)
- Spice (uncertain)
- Xanthan Gum (food additive for thickening and stabilizing)
- Mustard flour (dry mustard)
- Paprika
- Onion
- Sucralose (no-calorie artificial sweetener)
- Citric Acid (commonly used as an additive in food, cleaning agents, and nutritional supplements)
- Sodium Citrate (used as a food additive, usually for salty flavor or as a preservative)
Of course, they claim it is sugar-free, but it somehow has 1 gram of sugar per serving. But, there isn't any added sugar? It is a gluten-free food with only 1 gram of carbs. Despite all this spender, it is vegan, so it has that going for it. In a nutshell, this is why I like to make a healthy BBQ sauce instead of buying a bottle at the store.
WHAT INGREDIENTS ARE IN HOMEMADE HEALTHY BBQ SAUCE
(BBQ TEMPEH)
BBQ SAUCE INGREDIENTS
- White Onion
- Garlic
- Organic Tomato Paste
- Organic Tomato Sauce
- Pure Maple Syrup
- Apple Cider Vinegar
- Vegan Worcestershire Sauce
- Molasses
- Dijon Mustard
- Paprika
- Pepper
- Cayenne Pepper
But, I also have a second BBQ sauce recipe I love that only has a few ingredients. We'll call it the quick and easy BBQ sauce version. I use it, for instance, with my Pulled Pork Sweet Potato Sandwich!
QUICK AND EASY BBQ SAUCE INGREDIENTS
- Organic Tomato Sauce
- Chipotle Pepper in Adobo Sauce
- Grape Jelly
- Apple Cider Vinegar
(BBQ TOFU)
VARIATIONS AND SUBSTITUTIONS FOR HEALTHY BBQ SAUCE RECIPE
As with all recipes, you can always tweak the ingredients to give your healthy BBQ sauce your own sass!
- Liquid smoke (hickory or mesquite)
- Agave instead of maple syrup
- Use dates instead of molasses
- Add sriracha for a little kick
- Add pineapple juice for a fruity blend
- For more tang, replace yellow mustard with dijon mustard
(TEMPEH KABOBS)
(SALAD WITH GRILLED PEACHES)
So, the next time you are shopping and reading labels, remember, sometimes it's better to just make healthy BBQ sauce at home!

Healthy BBQ Sauce
Healthy BBQ Sauce is fresh and tangy without any added preservatives or additives. Make your own healthy BBQ sauce and skip the storebought brands.
Ingredients
- 1 white onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 Tablespoons Organic Tomato Paste
- 1 15 ounce can Organic Tomato Sauce
- 4 Tablespoons Pure Maple Syrup
- 1 Tablespoon Vegan Worcestershire Sauce
- 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 1/2 Tablespoons Molasses
- 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika (or smoked paprika)
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Quick and Easy BBQ Sauce (Option 2)
- 1 15 ounce can Organic Tomato Sauce 1 Chipotle Pepper in Adobo Sauce 2 Tablespoons Grape Jelly 2 Tablespoons Apple Cider Vinegar
- 1 15 ounce can Organic Tomato Sauce
- 1 Chipotle Peppers in Adobo Sauce
- 2 Tablespoons Grape Jelly
- 2 Tablespoons Apple Cider Vinegar
Instructions
- Sauté the onions and garlic in a medium in a saucepan until translucent.
- Combine all other ingredients
- Bring to a boil.
- Reduce to simmer.
- Cook 20 minutes on simmer.
QUICK AND EASY BBQ SAUCE OPTION
- Combine all the ingredients in a high-speed blender
- Blend until smooth
- Pour contents into a saucepan
- Warm to the desired temperature
Recommended Products
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
-
Plantation Blackstrap Molasses, Organic, 15 oz (Pack of 2)
-
Smoked Paprika, 16 oz Volume by Unpretentious Baker, A Flavorful Ground Spice Made from Dried Red Chili Peppers Wood Smoked for a Strong & Smoked Flavor, Convenient Shaker Bottle
-
Annie's Naturals, Organic, Worcestershire Sauce, 6.25 fl oz (185 ml)(Pack of 1)
-
Colgin Liquid Smoke, Natural Hickory, 4-Ounce
-
Grey Poupon Dijon Mustard (8 oz Jar)
-
365 by Whole Foods Market, Organic Pure 100% Grade A Maple Syrup, Dark Color Robust Taste, 32 Fl Oz
Nutrition Information
Yield
12 servingsServing Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 23Total Fat 0gSaturated Fat 0gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 0gCholesterol 0mgSodium 210mgCarbohydrates 10gFiber 1gSugar 6gProtein 1g
Nutrition facts may not be 100% accurate.
Hi! My name is Kathy, I am a retired high school English teacher & vegan enthusiast and blogger. My entire blog is fully plant-based vegan. I truly believe what we eat & how we live determines our health & the preservation of our planet! 🙂
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