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My sugar free BBQ sauce is sweet, tangy, and takes minutes to make. Using just a handful of ingredients, this keto sauce tastes like the real thing.
BBQ sauce is my favorite condiment, so when I’m watching my carbs or trying to cut back on sugar, this homemade sugar-free BBQ sauce is a staple.
With the same savory, sweet, and tangy flavor as traditional BBQ sauce, my sugar-free version is equally satisfying without guilt. It also skips unnecessary additives or flavor enhancers. My family did a side-by-side taste test with the most popular bottled BBQ sauce, and this one tasted better, too!
Table of Contents
Why I love this recipe
- Diet-friendly. This is a low-calorie, low-carb swap. Plus, it’s gluten-free.
- Better than store-bought. It’s cheaper and tastes better, too.
- Pairs with everything. With its sweet, smoky, tangy flavor, it works drizzled on all your favorite recipes, from 321 ribs to air fryer BBQ chicken and sous vide pork chops.
If you love keto sauces and condiments, try my sugar free ketchup, keto honey mustard, and keto cheese sauce next.
★★★★★ REVIEW
“Southern country girl approved! This BBQ sauce is wonderful. It’s easy to make, tastes delicious, and doesn’t send me over my carb limit. I used it with the marinated pork loin recipe for some BBQ pork sandwiches. This is my go-to BBQ sauce now. Thank you 😊” – Katie
Key Ingredients
- Tomato paste. A concentrated version of tomato sauce. Only a small amount will be used and thinned out with water.
- Apple cider vinegar. The subtle apple flavor is perfect for the barbecue flavor.
- Liquid smoke. The key ingredient to give this sauce a more smoky BBQ flavor.
- Brown sugar substitute. This special sugar has a distinct flavor synonymous with any good BBQ sauce. Use a powdered sugar substitute if you don’t have any of this.
- Garlic and onion powder. Adds extra flavor.
- Smoked paprika. Intensifies the smoky flavors of the sauce. Contrary to popular belief, smoked paprika is not spicy!
- Water. To thin everything out.
How to make sugar free BBQ sauce
This is an overview with step-by-step photos. Full ingredients & instructions are in the recipe card below.
Step 1- Add all your ingredients to a small saucepan and combine.
Step 2- Bring the mixture to a simmer. Once simmering, reduce the heat to low and stir constantly for 4-5 minutes. Remove from the heat and let cool completely to thicken.
Arman’s recipe tips
- Adjust the consistency. The longer you simmer the sauce, the thicker it will be. If you’d prefer a thinner sauce, add extra water.
- Taste test. Taste the barbecue sauce before you remove it from the heat. If it is too tangy, add a little extra sweetener. If it isn’t salty enough, add a dash more salt.
- Avoid using stevia. I tested this recipe with stevia, and it made the sauce super bitter, so stick to allulose or erythritol.
Storage instructions
To store: Leftover BBQ sauce must always be stored in the refrigerator. Kept in an airtight container, it’ll stay good for up to 1 month.
Frequently asked questions
Sweet Baby Ray’s and G Hughes are two popular brands of sugar-free barbecue sauces. They can be easily found in mainstream grocery stores and online.
There are less than 1 gram of net carbs in my homemade BBQ sauce.
How to use it
- Keto chicken nuggets
- Keto French fries
- As a basting for air fryer chicken breast or air fryer pork chops
- Tossed through BBQ tofu
If you tried this Sugar Free BBQ Sauce recipe or any other recipe on The Big Man’s World, please rate the recipe and let me know how it went in the comments below. It really helps others thinking of making the recipe.
Sugar Free BBQ Sauce (Keto)
Video
Ingredients
- 6 ounces tomato paste
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 cup brown sugar substitute
- 1 teaspoon liquid smoke
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup water
Instructions
- Add the tomato paste, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar substitute, liquid smoke, smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and water to a small saucepan and mix well.
- On medium heat, heat up the saucepan until it begins to simmer. Once it simmers, reduce the heat to very low and stir for 4-5 minutes.
- Remove from the heat and let cool completely to thicken.
Notes
- Make it spicy. For a spicy kick, add some cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes. Alternatively, you can even stir through some hot or buffalo sauce after it thickens.
- Enhance the flavor. While optional, sometimes I like to stir in yellow mustard or lemon juice for extra flavor.
Nutrition
Originally published June 2022, updated and republished May 2025
Southern country girl approved! This BBQ sauce is wonderful. It’s easy to make, tastes delicious, and doesn’t send me over my carb limit. I used it in conjunction with the marinaded pork loin recipe for some BBQ pork sandwiches. I added leftover juices from pork loin to the sauce and used vanilla extract & cinnamon for the brown sugar substitute. It was out of this world and the first time a dish tasted truly southern since I’ve started keto dieting. This is my go to BBQ sauce now. Thank you 😊
😀 YAY!
Awesome recipe. Just used it on my baby back pork ribs. It’s another keeper from Big Mans World, Keto Collection
This was the best bbq sauce, and easy to make. The only thing I added was a lg can of tomato sauce instead of the paste, and 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper, and chili powder.
This sauce was excellent! I used Lakanto “Golden” and it dissolved well for the brown sugar substitute.
What is a serving size?
2-3 tablespoons
How will this turn out using Lakanto brown? Have you tried using that? I am celiac and unable to use Sukrin gold as it contains barley malt (gluten) which is a big no,no for celiacs.
It will be fine. I even used splenda brown sugar substitute