Sugar-Free BBQ Sauce Recipe (Easy, Smoky & Delicious)

This Sugar-Free BBQ Sauce is a family favorite made healthier and is incredibly good. It’s based on my father’s famous homemade BBQ sauce that everyone always raved about, and for good reason.

It’s easy to make and can be prepared with honey, coconut sugar, or a low-carb sweetener for a sugar-free keto BBQ sauce.

My dad is a great cook. I didn’t appreciate it nearly enough when I was younger, but he loves to be in the kitchen. Whether it was cooking for family or entertaining, whatever came out of it was almost always delicious, and this delectable BBQ sauce is no exception.

He’d often make ribs with it, and while I was never a big ribs fan, I’d happily eat them when they were covered in this sauce.

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The original, as you can see, called for brown sugar and butter (hint: the butter is key).

I swapped out the brown sugar for healthier sweeteners, and added some garlic and smoky flavor for more depth.

In my opinion, it’s one of the best BBQ sauces I’ve had, and if you’re like me, you’ll have a hard time not eating it straight.

Excuse me while I lick some off my fingers before writing the rest of this post. And no, I’m not kidding.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This Sugar-Free BBQ Sauce is great for so many reasons, not the least of which is that it’s delicious and costs less than many healthy store-bought BBQ sauces. It’s naturally low-carb and can easily be made keto-friendly with a low-carb ketchup and sweetener. In addition, it’s:

• Ready in 15 minutes
• Made with simple, wholesome ingredients
• Has sugar-free and low-carb/keto options
• Great for ribs, chicken, burgers, and more
• Has a rich, smoky, tangy flavor
• Is versatile so you can use what you have in your pantry

Ingredients

• ketchup (I love using my Sugar-free No Cook Ketchup for this recipe)
• apple cider vinegar
• butter (I prefer grass-fed butter for richness and nutrition)
• Worcestershire sauce
• sweetener (whatever one you like)
• liquid smoke (or smoked paprika)
• garlic powder (store bought or homemade)

Directions

• Add all ingredients to a small saucepan.
• Heat on medium-low heat until the butter melts. Then simmer, stirring constantly for 10 minutes.

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Recipe Notes

• If using a 6% apple cider vinegar, reduce the amount slightly (about 20%). Learn more about the differences between vinegars in my post on Bragg apple cider vinegar and dilution.
• For a smokier flavor, use up to 1/2 teaspoon liquid smoke.
• This sauce thickens considerably after chilling. Thin with a little water if desired.

Storage

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks or in the freezer for up to 3 months.

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How to Use This Sugar-Free BBQ Sauce

This BBQ sauce is great on so many things. Try it on:

Frequently Asked Questions

Is BBQ sauce keto?

This recipe is keto if you use a low-carb ketchup and keto-friendly sweetener. In fact, it’s my favorite version of this recipe.

Can I make this BBQ sauce with honey?

Yes. Replace the sweetener with about 3 tablespoons honey.

How long does homemade BBQ sauce last?

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1-2 weeks.

Can I freeze BBQ sauce?

Yes. Place in airtight containers and freeze for up to 3 months.

• 1 cup ketchup (store-bought or homemade)
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1/4 cup low-carb sweetener (see notes for alternatives)
• 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1/2 tablespoon lemon juice (fresh or pure bottled)
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 cup butter (I prefer grass-fed)
• 1/2-1 teaspoon blackstrap molasses (optional but recommended for depth)
• 1/2 teaspoon liquid smoke (or 1/2 tsp smoked paprika)
• 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder

• Combine all ingredients in a saucepan.

• Heat over medium-low heat until butter melts.

• Stir while simmering for 10 minutes.

• Cool slightly and serve.

• Honey Version: Replace sweetener with 3 tablespoons honey.
• Coconut Sugar Version: Replace sweetener with 4 Tbsp coconut sugar.
• Apple Cider Vinegar: If using a 6% undiluted ACV, use a little more than 3 tablespoons.
• Note: this is a sweet BBQ sauce. I personally like it a little better using my Homemade Sugar-free Ketchup and a low-carb sweetener, but it’s super delicious with both honey and coconut sugar as well. 
• This sauce thickens considerably after chilling. If you’d like a thinner consistency, stir in a tablespoon or two of water before serving.

Calories: 17kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 0.1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.05g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.3g | Trans Fat: 0.05g | Cholesterol: 3mg | Sodium: 69mg | Potassium: 22mg | Fiber: 0.03g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 67IU | Vitamin C: 0.4mg | Calcium: 2mg | Iron: 0.1mg | Net Carbs: 3g

Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. It may vary depending on ingredient brands, substitutions, and preparation methods. Optional ingredients are not included. Net carbs are typically calculated by subtracting fiber and sugar alcohols (such as erythritol) from total carbohydrates. This information should not be relied upon for medical or nutritional purposes.