This easy low carb BBQ sauce is totally going to blow your mind. It requires no cooking, just whisk together the ingredients and you’ve got the best BBQ sauce on the planet. Sweet, smoky, tangy and totally sugar free!
You are simply not going to believe how easy this low carb sugar free BBQ sauce is. I can’t even believe it and I’ve been making it for a few weeks. Every time I make it, I think to myself that the last time must have been a fluke. That maybe I am dreaming, that nothing THIS easy can be THIS good.
But it is. Every time. This truly is the easiest and best low carb BBQ sauce I’ve ever tried. That includes my own homemade versions and the store-bought versions too. And the funny part is, I whipped it up one evening when I was in a hurry, just trying to find a quick sauce to add to our pulled pork. I didn’t expect much from it, so when I tasted it, I was stunned.
It was so good, I had to write down the ingredients as quickly as possible. And then I had to try making it it again and again, to make sure I wasn’t dreaming.
Sugar Free BBQ Sauce In Minutes
Check out the video in the recipe card to see just how easy this keto friendly BBQ Sauce is to make!
What’s so special about this low carb BBQ sauce?
Well for one thing, it requires no cooking. None whatsoever. Which means you can whip it up in about 3 minutes flat, whenever you want. You can’t get much easier than that!
Ingredients
BBQ sauce should be sweet and I used the new Swerve Brown as a brown sugar substitute. This stuff is phenomenal. If you haven’t tried it yet, I urge you to go grab some as soon as possible. I’ve tried several others and this is the best brown sugar sub by far! And because you don’t cook the sauce, it doesn’t re-crystallize at all. It’s not gritty either, as long as you take the time to whisk it well.
For the base of the sauce, I used the new unsweetened ketchup from Primal Kitchen. Also an excellent new keto product! It’s only 2g total carbs per tablespoon, far lower than other low carb and sugar free ketchups. Now, if you can’t get hold of some, then you can always whisk together 3 tablespoons of tomato paste with about 5 or 6 tablespoons of water. You will want to add a bit more sweetener, salt, and a pinch of cloves to your low carb BBQ sauce to make up for it.
For the the spiciness, I used chipotle powder. Chipotles are smoked jalapeños and you can purchase them ground into a fine powder. I use chipotle powder frequently in my cooking so I recommend it as a good addition to your spice cabinet. Chile powder is a decent substitute for this sauce but you may want a pinch of cayenne too, to kick it up a notch.
For some serious smokiness, consider adding a bit of liquid smoke. I made it optional in this recipe but it really takes it to a whole new level.
Some apple cider vinegar for tanginess, some garlic powder because garlic is awesome, and some salt.
Whisk whisk whisk together until the sugar substitute dissolves. And you’re done.
How to use it?
Oh friends, you are going to want to slather it on everything, I promise you. I’ve done pulled pork, I’ve done ribs, I’ve done chicken wings, all made extra special with the addition of this sugar free BBQ sauce.
Oh and I have a very special recipe coming for you in a few days! Keto Smoked BBQ Meatloaf. I am so excited to share this recipe, as it was amazingly delicious. Hang tight for that one!
And because this low carb sauce takes only a few minutes to make, with no cooking, you can whip it up any time the urge strikes. Give it go, I promise you will love it.
Sugar-Free BBQ Sauce
Ingredients
- ½ cup sugar-free ketchup I highly recommend Primal Kitchen
- 3 tablespoon Brown Sugar Swerve
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- ½ tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- ½ tablespoon liquid smoke optional but highly recommended
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ to ½ teaspoon chipotle powder
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, whisk all the ingredients together until the brown sugar substitute dissolves, about 2 minutes.
- That's it. That's all. You're done. Go slather it on some delicious grilled meat!
Heather says
Omg this is my third day on keto and this is amazing
Dawn says
I made this today and dare I say it is life-changing! I have been low carbing for over twenty years and BBQ sauce is something I really miss. I have tried the various bottled versions and they are OK but don’t caramelize on the grill. This sauce was super easy to make, super tasty, and it caramelized on the baby back ribs, I was in heaven and reminded of my dad’s fabulous BBQ Chicken and Ribs! I am tempted to throw out all of my bottled sauces now, they don’t make me happy like this did! Thanks, Carolyn!
Carolyn says
So glad to hear it!
Patricia says
I made this tonight. Too good to be true. No cooking and absolutely delicious!
Bretta says
Absolutely the best! I agree with Carolyn, I could put this on everything! THANK YOU!
jennifer says
Amazing!! How long does it last in the fridge?
Carolyn says
Nothing in it goes bad quickly so it should last a while. But you want to re-heat before adding, to make it soft again.
Jennifer says
yay!! Excellent -quick and AWESOME tip – to make perfect pulled pork, throw the chunks (once cooked) into a stand mixer with the paddle attachment and let turn it on medium speed and it “pulls” the pork perfectly!!
Heidemarie Erfmann says
Fabulous recipe. Best ever. Great with ribs, chicken and pork. I love all your recipes.
Carolyn says
Thanks!
Vhm says
Used double the chipotle but otherwise followed the recipe to a T. So, so great. Thanks!
Sarah says
So good! I chose this recipe because I had everything on hand. Even got the thumbs up from my husband who typically turns his nose up at my homemade sauces/substitutes. Thanks for sharing this!
Carolyn says
Does this sauce do ok if I put in croc pot with meatballs to heat? My Son is diabetic and I try to find recipes for him so he won’t be left out at an occasion.
Carolyn says
Yup, it sure does
Kayla Gray says
This is incredibly good and so easy to make. I threw out my previous sugar-heavy BBQ sauce.
Susan Ulrich says
I love this recipe! I’m just finishing up my first batch and it’s time to make my second batch! I use the Heinz No Sugar Added Ketchup and have no real fears of it going bad in my fridge, so I might just as well make a double batch. This recipe is far easier than I ever dreamed low carb BBQ sauce could be! Thank you so much!!
lacey isaak says
can i used regukar swerve in place of the brown one. just dont have that yet on hand! & if i am using a ketchup with stevia added , should i use less swerve? thanks!
Carolyn says
Yes, it may be too sweet if you use the regular amount of swerve. This is best with the brown but you can use the regular.
Gabby says
Absolutely incredible sauce!
Julie Bee says
Looking forward to try this with the ribs recipe. But just a thought it’s not 100% sugar free since one of the ingredients in worcestershire is sugar. It is a very small amount but sugar free purists like me may want to substitute.
April says
When adding exactly all of the ingredients you suggest for this recipe in my food diary, Cronometer, My macros are much much higher. Specifically, for six servings, the carbs are 7.8 per serving.
Carolyn says
Your Cronometer is probably counting the erythritol carbs, which have zero carb impact.
Dawn says
This is the best sauce ever!! My son that doesn’t do sugar free anything insisted that I make him a jar full of your delicious sauce!! It’s so addictive. Thank you for sharing your recipes.
Ellen MacDonald says
Hi Carolyn, thanks so much for this! Can’t wait to try it. Would monk fruit be a recommended sweetener? I’m in Canada so Swerve is not currently an option.
Thank you!
Ellen
Carolyn says
Swerve is actually available almost everywhere in Canada.
Kristen says
This BBQ sauce is PERFECT!! I had tried another one that was tomato sauce based (and not sweetened with sugar or anything else) and it was the weirdest taste. I had to throw it out! I am SO GLAD I found yours – you’re so right…Primal Kitchen ketchup and brown sugar Swerve is the way to go!! I’ve made this sauce 3 times now and we are obsessed. Great for BBQ baked (sweet) potatoes and also for a BBQ Cobb salad. I’m glad I don’t have to look any further for the ideal low carb BBQ sauce!
Carolyn says
So glad you like it!
Wenda says
This barbecue sauce is so easy and so delicious…I made pulled pork and it was the best!
Thank you for all the great recipes!
Jocelyn says
I love that this bbq sauce can be made without any cooking. It was the perfect addition to our chicken wings this weekend!
Anna says
This sugar-free sauce is fantastic!