This homemade BBQ Sauce is full of bold and tangy flavors, very simple to make without using ketchup, with ingredients you most likely already have on-hand. Using tomato sauce instead of ketchup allows you more control of the final sauce flavors and is also a little more budget friendly!
Tips for Success
- Sweat onions on low heat.
By sweating the onions in fat and salt, it softens and draws out the bitter flavors and creates a naturally sweet base for the BBQ sauce. - Use a tall pot when simmering sauce.
Tomato sauces tend to splatter when cooking so I like using a tall pot to prevent a mess in the kitchen!
Variations
Make it spicy
This Homemade BBQ Sauce is great with a little spicy kick! Simply add ¼ tsp cayenne powder with the rest of the spices, adding more if desired at the end.
Sugar
Instead of brown sugar, maple syrup or honey may be used.
Oil-free
Sweat the onions in a splash of water or veggie broth instead of oil, adding more as needed so onions don’t scorch.
Gluten-free
Ensure that your vegan Worcestershire sauce is certified gluten-free. If not, sub 2-3 Tbsp of tamari instead.
BBQ sauce recipes to try
- BBQ Lentil Sandwich – Savory comfort food, topped with creamy coleslaw and served on a toasted bun.
- BBQ Jackfruit Sandwich – Like a vegan pulled pork sandwich, delicious and savory!
- Vegan Sweet and Spicy BBQ Pizza – Sweet compliments spicy in this BBQ-based pizza.
If you enjoyed this recipe, let me know with a comment and a star rating below! 🙂
Homemade BBQ Sauce (no ketchup)
Equipment
- 1 Large pot
Ingredients
- 1 Tbsp avocado oil
- ½ cup yellow onion, very finely diced
- ¼-½ tsp salt to-taste
- 2 Tbsp tomato paste
- 15-oz can tomato sauce
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 Tbsp smoked paprika
- 1 Tbsp chili powder
- 2 tsp cumin powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 2 Tbsp brown sugar
- 1 Tbsp dijon mustard
- 3 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 3 Tbsp vegan Worcestershire sauce
- 2 Tbsp molasses
- dash of cinnamon
- ⅛-¼ tsp ground black pepper
- ½ cup water
Instructions
- Heat a large pot with 1 Tbsp avocado oil on low-medium heat. Add finely diced onions and ¼ tsp salt and sweat onions until softened and translucent, about 7-10 minutes. Reduce heat if onions begin to cook too hot. Meanwhile, start measuring the other ingredients.
- Once onions have softened, stir in 2 Tbsp tomato paste and cook for 1 minute, stirring frequently. Then add all remaining ingredients.
- Simmer on low for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until sauce thickens. Taste, and adding anything more it may need.
