A delicious keto BBQ sauce is an essential during grilling season and for dipping all year long. This low carb dipping sauce recipe is healthier and tastier than store bought!
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Looking to kick your normal weeknight dinners up a notch? Savory, sweet, smoky BBQ sauce makes the perfect glaze for grilled meat, an ideal dipping sauce for chicken fingers and other appetizers, and even pairs well with veggies. And it’s so easy to make, too!
Why Make a Keto BBQ Sauce Recipe?
While you can buy low carb BBQ sauce, it’s not always simple to find and it often lacks the classic taste you’re looking for. Plus, most companies use undesirable sweetener substitutes that you’d rather avoid.
However, this keto BBQ sauce recipe is easy enough to make at the last minute and will be one you return to over and over again. You can whip it up with common ingredients you (most likely) already have on hand and the flavor will not disappoint.
BBQ sauce is great to have all year long, but it’s basically a requirement for summer….well, that and this low carb chicken marinade for grilling that everyone needs to try. There’s just something about that smoky grilled taste that spells summer and fun and family. Mmm.
A Simple Recipe for Everyday Meals
This particular keto BBQ sauce recipe was inspired by one I found at Food.com that was appealing. You’re going to love not just the taste, but how simple it is. While the ingredients are basic, the taste is anything but! Seriously, homemade sauce beats store bought every single time.
One of the best parts about making this sugar free BBQ sauce at home is that it’s always fresh and tangy, ready when you need it (or just really want it!). The recipe is easily halved or doubled depending upon your needs; as is, it makes more than enough for ten meaty chicken drumsticks on your grill.
Actually, you could probably even stretch that to 15 if you had a crowd, because we were pretty liberal in applying it…I mean, really, can you ever have too much BBQ sauce on your grilled chicken? That’s a no.
Ingredients In Keto BBQ Sauce
Like I said, these are pretty simple ingredients and staples in most low carb kitchens. Here’s what you need this make this easy, great, sugar free BBQ recipe:
- Canned tomato sauce
- Onion powder
- Garlic powder
- Chili powder
- Worcestershire sauce with no added sugar
- Mustard
- Stevia concentrated powder or 1/4 teaspoon liquid (see note)
- Monk fruit concentrated powder or 1/2 teaspoon liquid (see note)
- Liquid smoke, optional for smokey flavor
- Sea salt
- Apple cider vinegar
Just basic, healthy ingredients that delivers a keto BBQ sauce that will have your taste buds singing its praises!
See? No crazy ingredients here! You won’t have to hunt down sugar free ketchup or buy expensive brown sugar substitute like so many other keto recipes.
Liquid Smoke
If you’re new to this ingredient, prepare to be amazed at what just a little bit does to your meals.
Liquid smoke adds a great campfire flavor and -thankfully- it’s a keto friendly ingredient. If you don’t have any on hand you could leave it out, but it’s worth getting if you can.
In fact, it’s a great ingredient for many low carb recipes such as homemade beef jerky and venison jerky or to add to your favorite chili for a hint of campfire flavor.
Worcestershire Sauce
Another ingredient you’ll need is Worcestershire sauce. While Lea & Perrins is what most people use as it’s readily available in local stores, it does have trace amounts of added sugar. If you’d like to be really strict here, you can make this paleo friendly version at home.
Ways To Enjoy Your Low Carb BBQ Sauce
How do I love thee? Let me count the ways…
Cook some pork shoulder or chicken with it in a crockpot for pulled BBQ sandwiches. You can even cook the ingredients in your crockpot slow cooker with the raw meat and skip making the sauce ahead of time!
Shredded BBQ chicken is also really great on a bed of salad greens with some pickles, bacon, tomatoes, and shredded cheddar for a Smoky Mountain Salad. Top it with this keto ranch for a creamy treat! You can serve the meat hot or cold, depending on your preference with this entree salad which makes it a great take to work meal, too.
This low carb BBQ sauce is perfect to dip breaded low carb chicken tenders or your favorite keto fries in. You can even top your favorite burger with it (some caramelized onions, melted cheddar, and smoky bacon with BBQ is ah-mazing!).
Have you ever drizzled BBQ sauce over your roasted veggies? It caramelized beautifully and helps mix things up. Try it on these oven roasted radishes! It’s also quite good on veggie skewers cooked on the grill.
BBQ wings are incredibly delish and a great tailgating food or party appetizer. You can serve them with your favorite low carb onion rings and dip those in your homemade keto BBQ sauce as well.
Keto BBQ Sauce Recipe
I hope you enjoy this easy homemade sauce; the only hard part is deciding what to enjoy it on first.
Quick tip that makes this an even better recipe to save? There’s no need to cook the ingredients first if you’re cooking meat in it; they can just cook together at thee same time! Because of this, it’s great for making BBQ pulled pork or chicken in the slow cooker (or Instant Pot).
I’m using this sauce for my Instant Pot pork chops too!
If you do give the recipe a try, I’ll love to know what you think in the comment section below.
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Low Carb BBQ Sauce
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Ingredients
- 8 ounces canned tomato sauce
- 1 Tablespoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 Tablespoon chili powder
- 2 Tablespoons Worcestershire sauce with no added sugar
- 2 Tablespoons mustard
- 1/8 teaspoon stevia concentrated powder or 1/4 teaspoon liquid (see note)
- 1/4 teaspoon monk fruit concentrated powder or 1/2 teaspoon liquid (see note)
- 2 teaspoons liquid smoke optional for smokey flavor
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 2 Tablespoons apple cider vinegar
Low Carb Sweeteners | Keto Sweetener Conversion Chart
Instructions
- Mix all ingredients together in small sauce pan.
- Bring to a boil, reduce to low and simmer uncovered for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. If desired, cook boneless skinless meat in the sauce and shred for BBQ pulled pork or chicken.
Notes
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Nutrition
Additional Info
Note on Nutritional Information
Nutritional information for the recipe is provided as a courtesy and is approximate only. We cannot guarantee the accuracy of the nutritional information given for any recipe on this site. Erythritol carbs are not included in carb counts as it has been shown not to impact blood sugar. Net carbs are the total carbs minus fiber.
Unauthorized use of this material without written permission from Lisa MarcAurele is strictly prohibited unless for personal offline purposes.
Single photos may be used, provided that full credit is given to LowCarbYum.com along with a link back to the original content.
Lisa MarcAurele has been creating keto friendly recipes since 2010. She enjoys experimenting in the kitchen to create low sugar foods that taste like high carb favorites!
JoM says
BBQ sauce is like chili – everyone has their particular favorite style (Carolina, white, Texas etc). For myself, I like a tomato-based sauce with a bit of sharpness, not too sweet, and a bit of heat. Although I will admit to adding a little bit of cayenne to the mix, I couldn’t be happier with this recipe. If I was at a restaurant, with a plate of beef brisket in front of me, I would be thrilled to have this sauce alongside.
THERESA says
can this be made and frozen??
Lisa MarcAurele says
It can if you’d like to store it longer.
Sonya says
I just made this Low Carb BBQ Sauce and it is really good! I used 1/3 cup Monkfruit sweetener because it is said to actually have health benefits and doesn’t have that funky taste of many other artificial sweeteners. My question is, if there is any leftover BBQ sauce, how long will it be good for if I store it in the refrigerator?
Lisa MarcAurele says
The salt and vinegar do act as preservatives, but I’d use it up within a few weeks.
Michelle says
Way too sweet for me with the liquid stevia and liquid monk fruit. Maybe mine’s more concentrated than what you use. Added another tablespoon of ACV which helped. The flavor was good otherwise, but I think I’ll halve the sweetener next time. I also upped the liquid smoke and added cinnamon and ginger. Definitely like the basic recipe, but really want to see what it’s like with less sweetener.
Lisa MarcAurele says
Different brands vary in the concentration of the extract. But I find it’s best to start with half the sweetener called for and adjust up if needed.
Lorraine D says
Love, love, love this BBQ Sauce. So easy to make and full of flavour. Looking forward to firing up the BBQ.
Tamara says
This recipe is fantastic!! Finally a low-carb barbecue sauce that tastes just like store-bought, if not better. Thank you for sharing!
Lisa MarcAurele says
You’re very welcome.
Sandi says
This recipe looks really good. Can I use Splenda is this? Would the amount still be 1/3 cup?
Lisa MarcAurele says
As stated in the recipe notes, you’ll need about 1/3 cup Splenda.
Michaela says
Hi, Lisa. Thanks for this recipe. I’m looking forward to trying it. I’m in NZ, so sometimes I’m not sure of American vs NZ versions of foods. When you list tomato sauce as an ingredient, in NZ that is our version of your tomato ketchup. I know you can’t mean that. So do you mean tomato puree or tomato paste or just canned tomatoes? Thanks again, Lisa. Keep up the good work.
Lisa MarcAurele says
It’s a tomato puree where the seeds and skin are removed.
Tom says
I just made this and it’s totally delicious. I used 1/3 cup Swerve and found it a bit too sweet. I would probably cut it down to 1/4 cup or less next time. I’m a bbq sauce lover and so grateful to have found this recipe. Thank you!
Lisa MarcAurele says
Sweetness is definitely a personal preference so feel free to adjust as needed. So glad you can enjoy your BBQ again!
Tammie Brown says
I just made the low carb BBQ sauce. I can’t tell any difference in taste from regular BBQ sauce. In fact I think I like it better. I added some celery seed to it. Thank you for being so creative.
Caroline says
There are many low carb websites out there, Lisa, but I keep coming back
to yours. Great food and not complicated to prepare–I must enjoy eating
the same way as you do, many thanks.
Lisa says
I do try to make the recipes as simple as possible as I don’t like to waste too much time prepping meals.
Lisa Lu says
I’m making this recipe at this very moment! I’m about 3 weeks in on LCHF. The only modification I made was eliminating any sweetners whatsoever. I’ve never been a fan of BBQ sauce and maybe the sweetness was the reason. I’m looking for something savory – not sweet! I’ve been tasting and so far – YUM! I’m going to add some hot sauce too! Thanks much for sharing this recipe. Worn out from searching for unsweetened LC bbq sauce!
Lisa says
Eliminating sweets is the best way to go!
Lisa Lu says
This sauce was delicious and especially so on cold chicken – one of my favorites! My intention was to cook a bit up and have handy for a quick tasty snack or meal on a busy day. Worked perfectly! Thanks again 🙂
Lisa says
You’re welcome Lisa Lu!
Rachel says
This is delicious! I used a bit less sugar sub – 1/4 cup – and it is just sweet enough for me. I have had the hardest time finding low-carb bbq sauce, so thank you! This hit the spot! I made a bbq chicken pizza on a cauliflower crust. Was so so good! Thanks!
Lisa says
You’re welcome Rachel. Glad you enjoyed the sauce.
Bec says
What a great recipe! Thank you, it was wonderful with pulled chicken breast.
I used stevia as the sweetner. I was really scared if using 2 tsp liquid smoke but it was fantastic.
Lisa says
Thanks for sharing Bec! I’m glad it worked out with the pulled chicken.
Daniel says
Do you mean 1/3 tsp if sugar equivalent? The recipe calls for 1/8 tsp then 1/4 tsp (3/8 all together), but when you say you can use any sweetener that it needs 1/3 cup equivalent. I just want to clarify!
Lisa says
Yes, what’s stated is correct as the concentrated sweeteners are equivalent to about 1/3 cup bulk sweetener.
Nina Grube says
What kind of mustard are you using?
Lisa says
I use prepared dijon mustard.
Nicole says
How long will this sauce keep
Lisa says
It should keep for at least a few weeks. However, I typically use it up within a couple weeks.
Susan says
Liquid Smoke – I bet that’s the secret ingredient! I’ve been experimenting with BBQ sauce recipes for the last couple of summers (looking for something yummy, slightly sweet with low carbs) and I feel that there’s always some little thing missing. I’m going to try this ASAP!
Quick question – where do you typically find Monk Fruit Concentrated Powder? I’m not familiar with that sweetener.
Thanks!
Lisa says
I use NuNaturals brand and buy off Walmart. It’s sometimes called lo han or lo han guo. However, I’ve seen liquid monk fruit sold in the sweetener section of Walmart. Liquid is typically about half as sweet as the powder.
Carrie says
I think you may have forgotten to add the base of this recipe?? Do you start with tomato sauce and/or paste??
Lisa says
Oops. Yes. I started with a can of tomato sauce.
Nancy says
Hi Lisa, love your recipes! Quick question on BBQ sauce, no tomatoes or paste in this recipe?
Lisa says
So sorry. I used an 8 ounce can of tomato sauce. The recipe was scheduled right before a vacation and I’m just seeing the mistake now.