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!
Kristen Drake says
I haven’t had to buy sauce since I found this recipe. thank you thank you thank you
Cookie says
OMG!!! I’ll NEVER buy sugar free bar b que sauce AGAIN!!! This is it folks!!! Thank you!!!! p.s. I throw a bay leaf in mine!!
Cookie says
All of these ingredients are in your cupboard 😃
Carolyn says
So glad you liked it!
Molly says
This was easy and sooo delicious. Next time I will double the recipe. I was out of chipotle powder so just used a few dashes of hot sauce. Also used slightly less sweetener, as I like a tangier sauce. I also had to sub white wine vinegar for the ACV as I was out. Even with all of these changes I was licking the spoon after making this it was so good. Thank you Carolyn – your site is always my go-to for keto recipes.
Jen Vertanen says
This was FANTASTIC!!!!! And so so easy to pull together. I see no reason to try any other bottled or homemade BBQ sauce ever again lol. I made the recipe exactly as-is incl. the liquid smoke and what I consider the perfect texture for BBQ sauce.
Diana says
Your link to the sugar free ketchup is broken
Dewey says
Used Heinz No Sugar Added ketchup, and it tasted great on the brisket I cooked in the oven. Thanks.
Lydia says
Hi,
Searching for your keto smoked bbq meatloaf recipe that you talked about above but no luck. Have you posted it yet? Love the bbq sauce!!
Carolyn says
This one? https://alldayidreamaboutfood.com/pepper-jack-stuffed-meatloaf/
Anna Wisner says
YUM! I added an extra 1/2 tsp. of vinegar because we like it vinegary. Easy to make and we all loved it with the pulled pork. I’m going to make it again and keep it in my fridge for my grandson, because he is a bbq sauce lover, and we usually buy the Kansas City Sweet ‘n’ Spicy for him. (I backed off a little on the chipotle for him, probably used just a pinch).
He loved it!
Robbie says
Will this sauce caramelize when cooking on the grill? As in, thicken to a sticky consistency on the meat? I’ve had trouble getting an old recipe that I “ketofied” using sugar free ketchup and Swerve brown to caramelize like the non-keto version did.
Carolyn says
If you really want a sticky quality, replace half the Swerve with allulose.
Cathie McKendry says
Hi I loved this BBQ sauce on Ribs and Chicken wings. I did not see how long you can store it in the refrigerator ?
Carolyn says
There’s nothing in it that really spoils so it’s good for at least a week. I’ve kept mine for up to two weeks.
Nanette T says
Delicious! I gave my husband a taste test. I had a piece of pulled pork that I divided in two. One had a store bought barbecue sauce on it, the other had the sauce from this recipe. He loved the sauce from this recipe the most! He didn’t even realize it was a Keto recipe!
Florence says
absolutely delicious i added some chopped onion
Deb says
Pure deliciousness
Linda says
I used the Primal Kitchen Spicy Ketchup. Absolutely perfect by my tastes.
Penney says
How much does this make ?
Carolyn says
Take a look at the nutritional panel at the bottom of the recipe. Then take the serving size and multiply that by the number of servings.
Jo Truan says
Tonight I had a craving for Orange Chicken. Found a recipe that used BBQ sauce instead of the usual things in it.
I used your BBQ sauce and the whole family was impressed!! Thank you for such a versatile sauce!!
DJC says
Wow. This sauce is unbelievably good ! Had it tonight on beef ribs, the only changes
I made were to substitute Tabasco for the chipotle powder as that’s what I had on hand. I like my barbecue sauce a little sweet and a little spicy, this recipe is PERFECT ! 5 stars !
Carolyn says
GLad to hear it!
Lisa York says
Made this to go with pulled pork. absolutely delicious!! Even my husband used it instead of his regular bbq sauce and he is very skeptical of my keto alternatives 😅
Cheryl says
I make this to go along with my instant pot baby back ribs. Every time! So easy and delicious. I’ve learned to not pack my brown sugar (sub), and to use the full amount of chipotle powder. Delish!
Carolyn says
Great to hear!
John says
this sugar free BBQ sauce is one that everyone will love!