Homemade Low Sugar BBQ Sauce | Easy Recipe

Low sugar BBQ sauce is a wonderful balance of tangy, smoky and sweet. Perfect for ribs, pulled pork, pizza and much more! Made with whole foods, so don't feel guilty about eating it.

Right now, it's winter.

So you may not have BBQ anything on the brain.

I totally get that. But last week I made some pork spare ribs in the oven, first with a dry rub, then some BBQ sauce baked on in the last 30 minutes and oh baby, was that a great thing to eat on a chilly winter day.

It was a little taste of summer, a little beacon of hope. Just what you need in the winter, at times. A reminder of the summer barbecue times ahead!

So I decided to share this homemade sauce recipe because maybe you want to make some ribs too!

You really should.

*drool*

And if you've never made your own BBQ sauce, it's embarrassingly easy. You could make it even easier by using onion powder and garlic powder, but I prefer using fresh garlic and onion. Here we're just throwing a few things into a pot, blending and simmering.

This is so much healthier than any sauce from the grocery store, which likely has a ton of added sugar (artificial sweeteners, mind you!). We had an old bottle of a popular BBQ sauce in the fridge (that we haven't used in years... shame on me!) and sugar is the FIRST ingredient! Yuck! That means it's the ingredient used the most... Talk about high sugar content!

You can also batch cook the sauce and freeze it for later use. It's sort of like having a bottle handy in the fridge, you just need to thaw it before use.

Ingredients in Low Sugar BBQ Sauce

Ketchup - Tomatoes, the base for any BBQ sauce. But this is pureed tomatoes with some additional flavor. Looks for one without high fructose corn syrup. That's nasty stuff! I opt for an organic version where possible and always check the ingredient list.

Apple cider vinegar - Adds the classic tanginess any BBQ sauce needs.

Blackstrap molasses - My chosen natural sugar, and it really contributes to the flavor. I wouldn't substitute it with anything else. Now, I've labelled this "low sugar" because it has much less sugar than other homemade BBQ sauce recipes, but is by no means a sugar-free BBQ sauce.

Spices and seasonings - Small amounts of many ingredients that come together to create a delicious BBQ sauce! We use onion, garlic, chili powder, dijon mustard, liquid smoke (aka MAGIC, adds an amazing smoky flavor), Worcestershire sauce and pepper.

Uses for Low Sugar BBQ Sauce

A good BBQ sauce can be used for so many things!

• BBQ ribs
• Pulled pork
• On pizza (or just dip your pizza in it!)
• Add it to nachos for a southern twist
• Add it to a homemade vinegraitte
• As a dipping sauce for fried chicken, baked chicken, oven fries or kale chips
• On a hot dog or burger
• As a glaze on meatballs or meatloaf
• BBQ beans

Variations of Low Sugar BBQ Sauce

• If you'd like a sweeter sauce, you can of course add some honey or coconut sugar to taste.
• Use balsamic vinegar in place of apple cider vinegar. The flavor will be different, but still delicious!
• Add ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper for a spicier BBQ sauce.

Tools You May Need

Small saucepan

Measuring cups and spoons

How to Make Low Sugar BBQ Sauce

Ingredients:

• 1 cup ketchup
• 2 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• ¼ cup blackstrap molasses
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 2 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 2 tablespoon dijon mustard
• ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1½ teaspoon liquid hickory smoke
• 2 tablespoon olive oil or melted butter

Instructions:

Blend everything together in a small pot using an immersion blender (or blend in blender or food processor) and bring it to a gentle boil over medium heat, reduce to low heat and simmer for 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally. The sauce will thicken as it simmers.

Taste and adjust seasonings if necessary. If you like a thicker sauce, simmer it for longer. If you want a thinner sauce, stir in some water, 1 tablespoon at a time, until you reach the desired consistency.

How to Store Low Sugar BBQ Sauce

Fridge: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. The flavors tend to mellow after cooling, so taste and adjust seasonings when you reheat it.

Freezer: To keep longer term, store in a freezer bag or freezer-safe container for up to 6 months. You can also freeze the sauce in a mason jar, just make sure to leave room at the top of the jar for expansion. If you fill it too full, your jar will crack in the freezer. Simply place in the fridge to thaw overnight and reheat before serving.

Did you try this recipe? If so, I would really appreciate a 5-star rating and your comments below! Thanks!

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