Homemade Whole30 BBQ Sauce Recipe (Paleo too!) (2024)

Last updated February 6, 2023

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This homemade Whole30 BBQ sauce recipe is easy to make and ready in just 10 minutes! Sweetened with dates, it’s the perfect blend of smoky, tangy, and sweet flavors (that’s better than any store bought kind)! Slather it over pulled pork, ribs, or chicken for the best summer BBQ. Paleo and Vegan too!

Homemade Whole30 BBQ Sauce Recipe (Paleo too!) (1)

Homemade Whole30 BBQ Sauce With Dates

Healthy BBQ sauce without high fructose corn syrup, added sugars, artificial coloring and “natural flavors” –yes please!

If you normally buy BBQ sauce at the store, check the ingredients on the bottle. Most brands of BBQ sauce are filled with artificial ingredients and LOADS of sugar. By making your own BBQ sauce at home you are in control of the ingredients and it’s a lot cheaper than buying a store bought Whole30 compliant BBQ sauce.

Your going to love this healthy BBQ sauce as it is the perfect mix of sweet, smoky, and tangy flavors. All you need is a few ingredients and 10 minutes to whip it up at your next outdoor BBQ.

Whole30 & Paleo BBQ Sauce Ingredients:

Since this is whole30 BBQ recipe, I am using all real-food ingredients to make the sauce. You’ll need the following ingredients:

Homemade Whole30 BBQ Sauce Recipe (Paleo too!) (2)

How To Make this Healthy BBQ Sauce

This whole30 barbecue sauce is so easy to make! Whip it up in just 10 minutes…

  1. Combine ingredients in a saucepan.
  2. Simmer (not boil!) to soften the dates and thicken the sauce.
  3. Blend sauce in a food processor or blender for 1-2 minutes.
  4. Store in a mason jar or airtight container.
Homemade Whole30 BBQ Sauce Recipe (Paleo too!) (3)

Recipe Variations:

Make it your own by customizing the flavors to your taste:

  • If you don’t have dates: substitute with 1/2 cup of apple sauce (Whole30 compliant), and skip the blending step. Paleo – substitute with honey or maple syrup. I recommend trying 3-4 tablespoons and adding more if needed.
  • Make it thicker: Simmer the sauce for a longer amount of time.
  • Make it smokier: add smoked paprika or chipotle chili powder to taste. You can also add a small amount of liquid smoke. Make sure to choose a brand with just 2 ingredients: water and smoke.
  • Make it sweeter: add 1-2 more dates (for Whole30 compliant). If paleo you can add more honey or maple syrup.
  • Make it more tangy: increase the amount of apple cider vinegar. This will add more tartness to the sauce. You can also add dijon or grainy mustard.
  • Make it spicy: add hot sauce, red pepper flakes, or a pinch of cayenne pepper.
Homemade Whole30 BBQ Sauce Recipe (Paleo too!) (4)

Storing Homemade BBQ Sauce

I store my Whole30 barbecue sauce in 16-ounce mason jars. The jars make it easy to spoon the sauce out whenever the BBQ cravings strike.

These sauce bottles are also a good option if you want a skinnier bottle. They come in a pack of 6 so you can also use them for salad dressings or other sauces.

Store the BBQ sauce in the fridge for up to 2 weeks, and in the freezer for up to 3 months.

More Whole30 Recipes You’ll Love:

  • Paleo Sloppy Joes with Sweet Potatoes (Whole30)
  • The Best Healthy Sweet and Sour Chicken (Paleo, Whole30)
  • Easy Sweet Potato Taco Skillet (Paleo, Whole30)
  • Spinach Artichoke Chicken Skillet (Paleo, Whole30, Keto)

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Homemade Whole30 BBQ Sauce Recipe (Paleo too!) (5)

Homemade Whole30 BBQ Sauce Recipe (Paleo)

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5 from 1 review

  • Author: Abbey Blackwell
  • Total Time: 10 minutes
  • Yield: 2.5 cups 1x
  • Diet: Gluten Free
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Description

This homemade Whole30 BBQ sauce recipe is easy to make and ready in just 10 minutes! Sweetened with dates, it’s the perfect blend of smoky, tangy, and sweet flavors (that’s better than any store bought kind)! Slather it over pulled pork, ribs, or chicken for the best BBQ. Paleo and Vegan too!

  • 1 8-ounce can or jar tomato sauce
  • 1 cup water
  • 5 pitted dates
  • 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
  • 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons chili powder
  • 1 tablespoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon dry mustard
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

  1. Combine all ingredients into a medium-sized saucepan over low-medium heat. Let the sauce simmer (not boil) for 10 minutes to soften the dates. Move the sauce pan off the burner and let the sauce cool for for about 5 minutes.
  2. Transfer the sauce to a food processor or blender and blend until dates are fully combined into the sauce and there are no chunks left, about 1 minute.
  3. Pour the BBQ sauce in a mason jar or airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks, or freezer for 6 months.
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 5 minutes
  • Category: Condiment
  • Method: Food Processor
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 2 tablespoons
  • Calories: 29
  • Sugar: 5.2 g
  • Sodium: 139.5 mg
  • Fat: 0.2 g
  • Carbohydrates: 7 g
  • Protein: 0.7 g
  • Cholesterol: 0 mg

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Share Your Thoughts

  1. This BBQ sauce is so good! I wish I had made it a little sweeter adding 1-2 more dates as suggested, but I will do that for round two! It did come out a little spicy so not sure my kids will like it, but it’s tasty to me 😋

    Reply

  2. Is this generally on the sweeter side or spicier side? I like my bbq sauce sweeter!

    Reply

    1. Hello!
      I would say it’s perfectly in between!

      Reply

Homemade Whole30 BBQ Sauce Recipe (Paleo too!) (2024)

FAQs

What is a healthy substitute for BBQ sauce? ›

Fruit-based sauces are a great option for people looking to cut down the acid content in tomato base sauces like the BBQ. These sauces use fruits like pineapples, mangos, apricots, apples, and even peaches to enhance the taste while doing away with the need to add granulated sugar.

Can you eat BBQ on Whole30? ›

Since most barbecue food is fruit-, veggie-, and meat-focused, a lot of it is already Whole30-approved. Chicken skewers, burgers, fruit salad—yeah, you can eat all of that on Whole30. There are a few barbecue favorites you'll have to avoid if you're trying out the diet.

What can I use to thicken homemade BBQ sauce? ›

You can use either flour or cornstarch to thicken BBQ sauce. Just mix together 2 tbsp (16 g) of flour and ¼ cup (62.5 mL) of water, or combine 1 tbsp (9 g) of cornstarch with 1 tbsp (15 mL) of water. Continue mixing the thickener until there are no lumps of flour or cornstarch.

What is a substitute for 1 cup of BBQ sauce? ›

Make your own barbecue sauce by combining ¾ cup ketchup, 2 tablespoons mustard, and 2 tablespoons brown sugar.

Is there a healthy barbecue sauce? ›

Look for brands with the lowest amount of added sugars, and resist the temptation to overpour. Look for brands that are low in sugar, and search out ingredient lists that are free of highly processed ingredients. Examples that foot the bill include The Shed, Stubb's and Trader Joe's.

What is the one bite rule on Whole30? ›

One bite of pizza, one spoonful of ice cream, one sip of beer within the 30-day period and you've broken the 'reset'—and have to start over again on Day 1,” Whole30 instructs.

Is Chick-Fil-A Whole30 approved? ›

Chick-fil-A

They're off-limits because they contain ingredients like cornstarch, molasses, and soybean oil. Even the fruit cups contain added sugar, and the salads have ingredients like soybean oils and cornstarch.

What are the hardest days on Whole30? ›

On Days 10 and 11, you are statistically the most likely to quit your Whole30. (That's why they're “the hardest days.”) By this point, the newness of the program has worn off, and though you've made it through most of the unpleasant physical milestones, you've yet to experience significant benefits.

How do you thicken BBQ sauce without cornstarch? ›

You might try 2TB Flour and a 1/4 cup cold water and mix thoroughly before adding to the BBQ sauce. Depending on the type of BBQ sauce you are wanting, other ingredients can be added as well to some mixtures to add a bit of thickness, such as; tomato paste, or honey.

How can I make homemade BBQ sauce better? ›

Ketchup – It gives the sauce its smooth, silky texture. Apple cider vinegar – I like my barbecue sauce tangy, so I don't hold back on the vinegar! I love its zingy kick. Water – It loosens the sauce so that it's not too thick or gloopy.

Will molasses thicken BBQ sauce? ›

Brown sugar will do more to thicken up your sauce than molasses will, and it has a more simple and sweet taste. It has more depth than white sugar, but it is easier to deal with than molasses, which can be sticky and cumbersome. Brown sugar can be used to cut the acidity in a tomato or ketchup-based sauce.

Can I have co*ke Zero on Whole30? ›

Though diet sodas and sugary beverages are off-limits on the Whole30 diet, you can drink water, herbal teas, coffee, and any other liquids that don't contain any sugar or artificial sweeteners. Fruit juice, when 100% pure, is also acceptable on occasion.

How do you thicken sauce on Whole30? ›

Tapioca starch and arrowroot powder a terrific gluten-free, paleo alternative for thickening sauces and gravy. Not only does is give this Whole30 Paleo Gravy its nice, glossy sheen but it also leaves zero floury aftertaste or chalky mouthfeel.

Is hummus OK on Whole30? ›

Traditional hummus is made from garbanzo beans (also known as chickpeas), which are a legume and Plant-Based Whole30 compatible. Just read your labels to make sure your hummus doesn't contain dairy or other ingredients that aren't a fit for the Plant-Based Whole30.

What is the best alternative to BBQ? ›

WAYS TO GRILL WITHOUT A GRILL
  1. GRILLING ON A STOVETOP. You can turn your cooktop into a grill station with the help of a cast iron or aluminum grill pan. ...
  2. GRILLING IN AN OVEN. ...
  3. GRILLING IN AN AIR FRYER.

What is the healthiest sauce option? ›

What is the healthiest condiment?
  • Guacamole.
  • Mustard.
  • Balsamic Vinegar.
  • Salsa.
  • Hot sauce.
  • Tzatziki.
  • Hummus.
  • Pesto.
Mar 17, 2024

What is a substitute for BBQ sauce in pulled pork? ›

Here are some alternatives:
  • **Vinegar-Based Sauce:** You can use a vinegar-based sauce, such as Eastern Carolina-style barbecue sauce. ...
  • **Mustard-Based Sauce:** Mustard-based barbecue sauce, often found in South Carolina, is a combination of mustard, vinegar, sugar, and spices. ...
  • **Tomato-Based Sauce:** If.
Nov 1, 2023

What can I have instead of a BBQ? ›

People may wonder how to cook outside without a grill but the quickest way to get started cooking outdoors doesn't require a BBQ at all. Open fire cooking is easy to do, simple to set-up and pretty much free as long you've got the fuel. Kindling and logs are easy enough to come-by, but make sure your wood is dry.

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