This easy bbq sauce is sweet, tangy, and smoky. A Whole30 BBQ sauce recipe that ups the ante of what a sugar-free bbq sauce should be. Dates, coconut aminos, and pineapple juice add a natural sweetness without the added sugar. Not only is this sauce quick and easy to make, but it's also delicious! Slather this bbq sauce on ribs, chicken, or pulled pork.
There are plenty of great tasty sugar-free and Whole30 sauces on the market, but barbeque sauce is a tough one to get right. A great sauce has the perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and smoky flavors.
I spent many hours in the kitchen testing out different spices, vinegar, and natural sweeteners to achieve the BEST Whole30 barbeque sauce.
While making a marinade for chicken thighs, I used a combination of pineapple juice, coconut aminos, and dates. After tasting the marinade, I thought WOW this would make a killer barbeque sauce! After tweaking this a couple of times, I landed on this recipe.
what you will need to make this recipe
- Dates - Naturally have a high sugar content without being dehydrated
- Coconut aminos - Made from the fermented sap of a coconut palm tree. A great gluten-free alternative to soy sauce.
- Tomato paste - Barbeque sauce always has tomato sauce, tomato paste, or ketchup
- Pineapple juice - For sweetness, and flavor!
- Liquid smoke - Makes the sauce smoky
- Garlic powder - Seasoning
- Chili powder - Seasoning
- Paprika - Seasoning
how to make easy bbq sauce
1. Pour hot water over dates and let soak for 10 minutes.
2. Place dates, pineapple juice, tomato paste, liquid smoke, coconut aminos, and spices into a blender.
3. Turn blender on high and blend or 1 minute until smooth.
4. Check for seasoning and enjoy!
Pro Tips
- Use pitted dates. This recipe is meant to be quick and easy. If you buy whole dates, the seeds need to be removed.
- Soak dates in hot water for 10 minutes. When using pitted dates, they need to be rehydrated in hot water to soften them.
- Use water to thin out the sauce. If the sauce ends up being too thick, add a tablespoon of water at a time until the desired consistency.
- Don't overdo liquid smoke. Liquid smoke is a great way to add a touch of smoky flavor to BBQ sauce, but a little goes a long way. If you add too much, the smokiness can ruin your sauce.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you make BBQ sauce from scratch easy?
The best way to simplify BBQ sauce is only to add a few spices. I only use chili powder, garlic powder, and paprika.
What is the base of BBQ Sauce?
Tomato sauce, tomato paste, or ketchup. In this recipe, I use tomato paste which gives the sauce a nice thick consistency. Ketchup has added sweetness like cane sugar and corn syrup. To keep this recipe Whole30, I add pineapple juice, and dates.
How do you use BBQ Sauce?
- Hamburgers - Spread a tablespoon on your favorite burger
- Pulled pork - Toss with pulled pork
- Ribs - Brush your smoked, grilled, or baked baby back ribs
- Pizza - BBQ chicken pizza is delicious!
- Chicken - Brush on chicken thighs, or breast.
- Salads - Mix ranch and BBQ sauce together for a killer dressing
How do you get BBQ sauce to stick to meat?
Apply BBQ sauce at the end of the cooking process. Meat releases liquid while cooking, making it difficult for the sauce to stick.
Do I have to use dates?
No, there are other ways to sweeten barbeque sauce. You could use pineapple, apple, or apricot juice. Dates add body, color, and sweetness.
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Easy BBQ Sauce
Ingredients
- 12 dates pitted
- 1 cup coconut aminos
- 1 cup pineapple juice
- ½ cup tomato paste
- 2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon liquid smoke
Instructions
- Soak dates for 10-15 minutes in hot water. Drain.
- In a high-speed blender, combine all ingredients. Blend on high for 1 minute or until smooth.
- Transfer BBQ sauce to a mason jar and store in the refrigerator until ready to use.