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
- 1/2 cup sugar-free ketchup, I highly recommend Primal Kitchen
- 3 tbsp Brown Sugar Swerve
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 tbsp liquid smoke , optional but highly recommended
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 to 1/2 tsp 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!
Video
Nutrition
Nutritional Disclaimer
Please note that I am not a medical or nutritional professional. I am simply recounting and sharing my own experiences on this blog. Nothing I express here should be taken as medical advice and you should consult with your doctor before starting any diet or exercise program. I provide nutritional information for my recipes simply as a courtesy to my readers. It is calculated using MacGourmet software and I remove erythritol from the final carb count and net carb count, as it does not affect my own blood glucose levels. I do my best to be as accurate as possible but you should independently calculate nutritional information on your own before relying on them. I expressly disclaim any and all liability of any kind with respect to any act or omission wholly or in part in reliance on anything contained in this website.
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Storing this one for use again and again! Absolutely delicious! Had tomato paste on hand and your tip worked like a charm! Now I have half a can of paste in the fridge…guess I’ll have to make another batch!!! So good! Thank you!!!
Thanks! This was SO good. I didn’t have any sugar-free ketchup so I just replaced it with about the same amount of pure tomato paste. I don’t know if that has more carbs in it – but the end result was seriously tasty. My otherwise very skeptical 14 year old daughter called me a master chef! Also we don’t have the brand Swerve here so I used Sukrin gold btw.
Excellent!
This was delicious and ridiculously easy! (I think you may be a wizard.)
I’m glad that I took your advice to try the Primal Kitchen ketchup. I am not a fan of their mayo, but I love the ketchup.
I also recently tried Primal Kitchen BBQ sauce (both varieties). We did not like them at all. I went right back to making Carolyn’s sauce.
It makes a great sauce for barbecue chicken pizza!
You know what? They’re pretty good for bottled sauce but I agree with you…
That is such a good point! I have also had bottled salad dressings “ruined” for me after making my own.
I was able to use up the Primal Kitchen by mixing it with your sauce.????
Wow–this was fabulous. My 6-year-old and I loved it.
Could lakanto monk fruit Golden be use in place of the brown sugar swerve??
I made the Instant Pot Pulled Pork and followed the recipe for the sauce. I ordered all of the ingredients you use and the whole meal was amazing. Thank you for being so generous in sharing your recipes . I love all of the ones I have tried so far. . I also have 3 of your cookbooks working on getting the rest of them.
Carolyn, I’ve had your recipe pinned for months and finally had a reason to try it. It was delicious on the pulled pork that I cooked in the crockpot tonight! It’s sweet, tangy, and spicy. I was able to make a 1 1/2 batch using up the bottle of Heinz Sugar Free Ketchup that I bought months ago and didn’t like. I found Primal Kitchen ketchup at Walmart so I’ll give that a try! I used the largest amount of chipotle chili pepper (It was ground so I think that’s the same thing as chipotle powder) that the recipe called for. The next time I make it, I’ll try it with the smallest amount of chipotle powder to see which amount I like best. My hubby even liked your bbq sauce and he’s only eating some keto foods so that says something! Thanks for another great recipe! I always look here when I need a keto friendly recipe! You haven’t failed me yet!
So great to hear, Angelia!
I have a very good brown sugar substitute, but in BBQ Sauce artificial sweeteners will not caramelize. However if you substitute with Date Paste it will and will not spike your Blood sugar, So a healthy choice for diabetics. Easy to make in a food processor. Puree a cup of pitted dates with 1/2 cup of hot water to form a paste. To replace a cup of granulated sugar use a 1 to.1 rayio. to replace Maple syrup a 2 to 1 ratio. Look it up online and you will tests have proved it has very little effect on Blood sugar.
I am sorry, you are ABSOLUTELY incorrect. Date paste and maple syrup would be disastrous to my blood sugar, or to any diabetic.
Omg this is my third day on keto and this is amazing
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!
So glad to hear it!
I made this tonight. Too good to be true. No cooking and absolutely delicious!
Absolutely the best! I agree with Carolyn, I could put this on everything! THANK YOU!
Amazing!! How long does it last in the fridge?
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.
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!!
Fabulous recipe. Best ever. Great with ribs, chicken and pork. I love all your recipes.
Thanks!
Used double the chipotle but otherwise followed the recipe to a T. So, so great. Thanks!
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!
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.
Yup, it sure does