Paleo BBQ Sauce

Paleo homemade bbq sauce in a small pan on a red and white striped towel with a small whisk in the pan.

5 from 5 votes

This easy homemade Paleo BBQ sauce takes just minutes to prepare from pantry ingredients. You can have all the smoky, tangy flavor without all the sugar and high fructose corn syrup of store-bought brands. Plus you can make it as spicy or sweet as you want!

Prep Time5

Cook Time5

Total Time10

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Servings: servings

Calories: 128kcal

Author: Don Baiocchi

Ingredients

2 (8 oz.) cans tomato sauce
6 tablespoons dark maple syrup or date syrup
4 tablespoons + 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
4 tablespoons grass-fed butter or ghee
2 tablespoons tomato paste
2 tablespoons coconut aminos
4 teaspoons chili powder
4 teaspoons onion powder
2 teaspoons unsulphured molasses (regular or blackstrap)
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon fine sea salt
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon ground chipotle powder (optional but recommended)

Instructions

Add all the ingredients to a small saucepan and whisk until blended. Heat over medium heat until warmed through.

Notes

This recipe was updated on 4/27/23 - it used to include Worcestershire sauce but that has been replaced by coconut aminos.

Substitutions

If you want it spicier, add cayenne powder.
If you want it sweeter, add more maple syrup or date syrup.
If you want it tangier, add more apple cider vinegar.
If you want it thinner, add water a little at a time until it reaches your desired consistency.
If you want it thicker, simmer it until it reduces to your desired consistency.
If you don't have maple syrup or date syrup, you can also use the same amount of honey or coconut sugar.
For a dairy-free barbecue sauce, use palm shortening instead of ghee or grass-fed butter

Make ahead

The BBQ sauce can be stored in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.

Freezing instructions

It can be frozen for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight and reheat in a saucepan over medium heat.

Nutrition