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!
Engwmn says
I didn’t think it was possible to have a good low carb bbq sauce but this one is excellent. I used the Primal Kitchen ketchup and see why it was recommended. I also added some ginger hot sauce to it to spice it up a bit but followed the recipe exactly. I heated it up to dissolve the sugar as mine was grainy. I appreciate this so much as I love a little bbq sauce on ribs, chicken. The ones I tried from the store were awful. Thanks for this. I’d eat it even if I wasn’t low carb.
Carolyn says
Glad you liked it!
Cheryl Warner says
Seriously, good barbecue sauce and so easy! I did not have liquid smoke on hand, but had some smoked chipotle powder, so I use that instead. Seriously amazing!
Thank you again, Carolyn.
Cheryl .
brian says
turned out great. thank you. Your bbq sauce worked great on shredded chicken burger w/ finely shredded cabbage and pickles on top. Also great name for your website.
Nancy says
Browned ground beef with onion then added the BBQ ingredients right into the beef. Best.sloppy.joes.ever!!! Thanks for a great recipe that can be used more than one way!
Nancy says
This is my go to BBQ sauce. Today I browned a pound of ground beef with some minced onion, then just added the BBQ sauce ingredients to the skillet. The best sloppy joes ever!!!! Thanks for this great recipe!
Sarah Choi says
I want to try this recipe with meatballs. my goal is to try and make bbq meatballs in a slow cooker. Do you have a recipe for that too? If so, may I get the link please. Thank you!
Carolyn says
I do not have BBQ meatballs in a slow cooker, but it can certainly be done. Here’s some guidance on how long etc to cook: https://alldayidreamaboutfood.com/keto-meatball-casserole/
Shayna says
I am planning to try this recipe this weekend but don’t think I can get Worcestershire sauce in my country. Is there something I should use instead or will it be ok to just leave it out? Thanks
Carolyn says
Balsamic vinegar might work.
Leslie says
I followed recipe exactly as written, and it was the easiest and best keto barbecue sauce I’ve had. Tangy sweetness just like I like it! Second time I made it I got a wild hair and added a couple tsp bourbon. Yum! So delicious! Thank you for a great recipe!
Allison says
Another great and easy recipe. Just the right amount of tang! Used it on some ribs after I cooked them in the crockpot. I spread on the sauce then put the ribs in the air fryer on 400 degrees for 10 minutes, really good!
Carolyn says
So glad you liked it!
Debbie G. says
I made this sauce for my pork ribs. Omg so delicious!! I’m going to make a jar and have it handy in my fridge.
Carolyn says
So glad you like it!
Andrea says
I made the bbq sauce a couple of weeks ago. I shredded a roasted chicken today & added the bbq sauce & put it on buns for dinner. Sooooo good!
Craig Barry says
I make this for my non-keto family all the time. It’s simple to throw together at a moments notice and is very “adjustable” in that you can add more swerve for sweetness, more acv for tartness and add or subtract the chipotle powder to make it as hot or as tame as you want. Try this. I promise you will really like it.
Craig
Carolyn says
So great to hear!
marsha l masi says
Delicious..
Jennifer says
This is better than Sweet Baby Rays. Quick and simple recipe for an awesome BBQ sauce, this is now my go to!
Carolyn says
Great to hear!
DDDDDuane says
I just ordered a pound of chipotle powder…Great customizable recipe…
Rene' says
OMG better than the store-bought kind, as in I *may* of licked the spoon clean. Incredibly easy and fast to make, so happy to find this recipe!
Carmen says
Great easy recipe. We added cayenne and it was perfectly spicy for our ribs.
Marie Lamb says
I had all the ingredients to make this recipe exactly as posted but I made one addition my mother always added prepared yellow mustard to her barbecue sauce so I used one tablespoon in your recipe and it really elevates the flavor. Thanks so much for another great recipe!
Kim says
Carolyn, oh my gosh! This BBQ sauce is the BOMB! It is really good, so easy to make and with such simple ingredients that most anyone would have in the pantry. Thank you once again for another fabulous recipe.
Meagan says
I skipped the liquid smoke as I didn’t have it but the sauce still turned out great. Thanks for a new sauce recipe that will get made again and again.