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Home » Gluten Free Summer Recipes

Modified: Apr 25, 2022 Published: Apr 29, 2021· Cathy Brak · This post may contain affiliate links ·

Home » Gluten Free Summer Recipes

Simple BBQ Sauce Recipe

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This easy, full-flavoured, tangy barbecue sauce recipe is made without ketchup, so it's low in sugar. Simply combine tomato sauce, paste, a little maple syrup, molasses, and some spices into a simmering sauce. You'll have fresh bbq sauce in 15 or 20 minutes!

shimmering red barbecue sauce in a jar with a wooden spoon
Jump to:
  • What You'll Need for BBQ Sauce without Ketchup
  • How to Make Homemade BBQ Sauce with Tomato Sauce
  • BBQ Sauce Recipe FAQ's and Tips
  • Simple Grilling Recipes
  • Recipe

I love that I can have the real tomato flavours without all the sugar in this gluten free barbecue sauce recipe. It's simple to make with canned ingredients and dried spices, and it tastes delicious! Try it on my Easy Oven Baked Ribs and Meatloaf without Breadcrumbs.

What You'll Need for BBQ Sauce without Ketchup

individual ingredients for bbq sauce without ketchup in small bowls with labels
  • Tomato Sauce - I use tomato sauce without added sugar.
  • Tomato Paste - I also use pure tomato paste with no sugar added to it.
  • Vinegar - Apple cider vinegar gives your barbecue sauce a nice flavour.
  • Molasses - Fancy molasses is a lighter, sweeter product than blackstrap molasses.
  • Worstershire Sauce - Use gluten free Worstershire sauce if this recipe needs to be free from gluten.
  • Paprika - I prefer the taste of smoked paprika. If you can't find it, you may substitute it with regular paprika.

How to Make Homemade BBQ Sauce with Tomato Sauce

  1. Simply stir together all of the sauce ingredients in a small saucepan over medium-high heat.
whisk in red tomato sauce in small saucepan

2. Once your sauce reaches a simmer, turn down the heat. Stirring occasionally, let it simmer to thicken, about 10 to 15 minutes.

thickened, cooked red barbecue sauce in small saucepan with wooden spoon

BBQ Sauce Recipe FAQ's and Tips

What is a simmer?

A simmer is the point where a liquid is almost at a boil. There will be a few tiny bubbles breaking here and there on the surface. In a full boil, the surface is completely covered with constantly rolling bubbles.

How do you make BBQ sauce from scratch without ketchup?

Ketchup typically has a lot of sugar in it. It's easy to make your own barbecue sauce from scratch, highlighting the natural tomato flavours that have been condensed into tomato sauce and tomato paste. Enhance this with some wonderful spices, and you don't need to rely on sugar for good taste.

a wooden spoon coated in homemade bbq sauce is lifted from a jar of sauce

Simple Grilling Recipes

  • How to Grill a Steak
  • Grilled Pork Chops with Apple Topping
  • Grilled Pineapple
  • Grilled Asparagus in Foil

Recipe

shimmering red barbecue sauce in a jar with a wooden spoon

Simple BBQ Sauce

This barbecue sauce made without ketchup has all the rich, tangy, spicy flavours we crave!
5 from 1 vote
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Course: Main Course, Main Dish, Main Dishes, Sauces
Cuisine: American, Canadian
Diet: Gluten Free
Keyword: barbecue sauce, barbecue sauce recipe without ketchup, bbq sauce, easy barbecue sauce recipe, simple bbq sauce recipe
Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes minutes
Servings: 2 cups
Calories: 384kcal
Author: Cathy

Equipment

  • saucepan
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Ingredients

  • 14 ounces tomato sauce
  • 5.5 ounces tomato paste
  • ⅓ cup apple cider vinegar
  • ¼ cup pure maple syrup
  • ¼ cup fancy molasses
  • 2 tablespoons Gluten Free Worstershire sauce
  • 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon dry mustard
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon sea salt
  • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • pinch cayenne pepper
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • Combine all ingredients in a saucepan and cook over medium-high heat until the mixture just barely comes to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for 10 - 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce is slightly thickened.
  • Use right away or store in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to a week.

Notes

Use this barbecue sauce on ribs, pulled pork, or chicken.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cup | Calories: 384kcal | Carbohydrates: 88g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 2456mg | Potassium: 2266mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 77g | Vitamin A: 3036IU | Vitamin C: 31mg | Calcium: 200mg | Iron: 7mg
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