BBQ Sauce

[The Smoky Sweet Remix]

Rich, smoky BBQ sauce with natural sweeteners that elevates any grilled meat. This is the sauce that makes backyard barbecue legendary.

remixology.com/recipe/bbq-sauce/

Makes

Makes about 2 cups

Total Time

35 min (18 min prep)

Ingredients

Base Ingredients:
1 cup (240g) sugar-free ketchup
1/4 cup (60ml) apple cider vinegar
1/4 cup (60ml) pure maple syrup
2 tbsp (30ml) coconut aminos
2 tbsp (30ml) tomato paste
1 tbsp (15ml) Dijon mustard

Spice Blend:
1 tbsp (15ml) smoked paprika
2 tsp (10ml) chili powder
1 tsp (5ml) garlic powder
1 tsp (5ml) onion powder
1 tsp (5ml) sea salt
1/2 tsp (2ml) black pepper
1/4 tsp (1ml) cayenne pepper

Steps

Whisk:

Combine all base ingredients and spice blend in medium saucepan. Whisk thoroughly until smooth and well blended.

Heat:

Bring mixture to a gentle boil over medium heat, stirring frequently to prevent sticking.

Simmer:

Reduce heat to low and simmer 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon.

Taste:

Remove from heat and taste. Adjust sweetness with more maple syrup, tanginess with vinegar, or smokiness with paprika as desired.

Cool:

Let cool completely before transferring to sterilized glass jars or airtight containers. Sauce will continue to thicken as it cools.

Store:

Refrigerate up to 2 months. Flavors develop and improve after 24 hours. Bring to room temperature before using for best consistency.

Make it Good For The Gut (Optional)

Use apple cider vinegar with the mother for probiotics and digestive enzymes. Add 1 teaspoon raw honey (in addition to maple syrup) for prebiotic oligosaccharides. Include 1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder for anti-inflammatory benefits. Use fermented tomato paste if available for additional probiotics and enhanced umami flavor.

Remix Options

Sweetener Swaps: Replace maple syrup with raw honey (1/4 cup) or coconut nectar for different flavor profiles. Extra Smoky: Add 1/2 teaspoon liquid smoke and 1 teaspoon chipotle powder for intense smokiness. Spicy Version: Increase cayenne to 1/2 teaspoon and add 1 minced jalapeño for heat. Tangy Style: Add 2 tablespoons brown mustard and 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce for Carolina-style flavor. Sweet & Sour: Include 2 tablespoons brown sugar and 1 tablespoon rice vinegar for Asian-inspired BBQ sauce. Fruit Forward: Blend in 1/4 cup pureed peach or pineapple for tropical sweetness.

Good To Know

Ketchup Selection: Choose sugar-free ketchup made with tomatoes and vinegar for clean flavor – avoid high fructose corn syrup versions. Consistency Control: Sauce will thicken as it cools; add 1-2 tablespoons water if too thick after refrigeration. Storage Tips: Keeps refrigerated up to 2 months in airtight container; flavors improve after 24 hours. Cooking Notes: Don’t let sauce boil vigorously or it may become bitter – gentle simmer is key. Flavor Balance: Taste and adjust – add more maple syrup for sweetness, vinegar for tang, or smoked paprika for smokiness. Application Tips: Apply to meat during last 10 minutes of grilling to prevent burning; use as marinade for 2-4 hours before cooking.