Whole30 BBQ Sauce: Paleo, Vegan, Sugar-Free Recipe! - Whole Kitchen Sink (2024)

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Whole30 BBQ sauce, and Paleo BBQ sauce in general, is something people are really particular about. They know how they want their BBQ sauce to taste! This is my favorite, and the best I’ve yet to make. With this Whole30 BBQ sauce recipe, you’re using only real ingredients, like apple cider vinegar, medjool dates, and a few other natural components. What’s good about that for us who are particular about it, is that you can make some tweaks depending on your preferences!

The wide range of opinions about both store bought Whole30 BBQ sauce, and about the Paleo BBQ sauce recipes on the inter webs has kept me from posting the recipe *I* make for a while now. But finally, after some prodding from Justin, who loves this version, it’s finally making it’s appearance.

It’s got a hint of sweetness, and some smoky flavors which I totally love. The Whole30 BBQ sauce is great even on non-Whole30 dishes, as evident by how often my boyfriend uses up the container in the fridge. I love it used inthis sweet and sour sheet pan chicken, boneless chicken wings, and BBQ pulled pork and pineapple coleslaw. All Whole30 and Paleo recipes! Woo!

If you’re not into making your own BBQ sauce, or have yet to find a homemade recipe you LOVE, not all hope is lost! I highly suggest grabbing some Tessemae’s Whole30 BBQ sauce. It’s so tasty and I really like keeping a bottle in the fridge for when I don’t make my own. It’s obviously more shelf-stable, so would last quite a bit longer hangin’ out in the fridge than homemade BBQ sauce.

In fact, all of their Whole30 Approved sauces and dressings are pretty bomb.com. I relied on these a lot when I first started eating Paleo and was already so overwhelmed just changing my diet. Making my own sauces were not an option at that point and these really helped give me more variety!

This is the Whole30 Approved Sauce Boss Packor the Whole30 Sauce Starter Kit on Amazon I get!

This Whole30 BBQ sauce will be good without the liquid smoke, but it does make a big difference. Whole Foods carries only one brand that has just liquid smoke in the ingredients. Otherwise, this is the liquid smokeI like and order from Amazon when I need to restock, which isn’t that often. This stuff lasts awhile because a little goes such a long way.

Brands of Whole30 liquid smoke and Paleo liquid smoke are Cedar House(linked above), Lazy Kettle,Wright’s, Living Nutrtional’s(not my favorite).

Other variations I’ve made when skipping the liquid smoke include adding more cayenne, or adding a dash or two of franks hot sauce to get a little spice but not too much!

There’s no shortage of ways you can use this paleo BBQ sauce or things you can add it to. Chicken tenders, oven baked fries, boneless wings, breakfast potatoes. Plus, summer is coming up and that means grilling season! BBQ beef brisket is already calling my name!

Enjoy!

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Whole30 BBQ Sauce: Paleo, Vegan, Sugar-Free Recipe!

  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Total Time: 15 minutes
  • Yield: 2 cups 1x
  • Category: Sauce

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Whole30 BBQ Sauce: Paleo, Vegan, Sugar-Free Recipe! - Whole Kitchen Sink (4)

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Ingredients

  • 6 medjool dates, pitted
  • 1/2 cup organic apple juice, unsweetened
  • 1/2 cup tomato paste
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar, or balsamic vinegar
  • 1/2 tablespoon dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon liquid smoke
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne powder

Instructions

  1. Add all ingredients to a small sauce pan on medium-low
  2. Stir to combine as the ingredients heat up
  3. Don’t bring to a boil, just keep over heat long enough for the dates to soften, tomato paste to reduce, and all wet ingredients to come together
  4. Transfer to a blender (or use immersion blender) and blend for 1-2 minutes until sauce is a smooth consistency
  5. Add a tablespoon or two of water if you like a thinner sauce

Notes

Optional:
Replace apple juice with pineapple juice if you prefer
Increase/decrease cayenne per spice level
Can use an immersion blender and blend instead of a standalone blender
Stays fresh in the fridge for up to 2 weeks in an airtight container

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Whole30 BBQ Sauce: Paleo, Vegan, Sugar-Free Recipe! - Whole Kitchen Sink (6)

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About paleobailey

I’m Bailey. Whole30 Certified Coach. Former 300 pound chip eatin' couch potato. Current Paleo goddess. Just kidding. No, but I have found my passion for health, cooking and finally living like I mean it, all while dropping over 120 pounds naturally. Read More...

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Reader Interactions

Reader Reviews & Comments

  1. Krissy says

    This was really good! I didn’t have juice so I subbed unsweetened applesauce which does affect the texture but it’s not like you’re drinking it so you’d never notice.
    Also my cheapo food processor wouldn’t mince the dates so I just removed them and it was plenty sweet.

    Reply

  2. Jenna says

    So good! I have made this one twice already, too. Have used it for pulled pork and for ribs. I didn’t have smoked paprika, so I used regular paprika and increased the liquid smoke a bit. Not sure if that’s an okay substitution, but it tasted great!

    Reply

  3. Cathy Anyon says

    I made this barbeque sauce. It is very yummy. I put it on ribs the first night. Just dipped my baked chicken breast tonight. It’s a great recipe.

    Reply

    • paleobailey says

      I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Thank you so much for giving it a try, and taking the time to let me know you liked it! It’s so appreciated 🙂

      Reply

  4. Angie says

    Delicious!

    Reply

    • paleobailey says

      Thank you so much!!

      Reply

  5. Mandy says

    Oh my goodness, this is amazing. I made it while on Whole30, but my whole family loved it; I will never go back to the bottled stuff!

    Reply

    • paleobailey says

      I’m so happy to hear this! Thank you, Mandy!

      Reply

  6. Blake says

    We don’t eat bbq sauce very often anymore because every bottle at the grocery store has a million bad ingredients in them. I made this recipe and it turned out great. Will definately use this as our go-to bbq sauce. We are happy to be able to eat bbq sauce again!

    Reply

    • paleobailey says

      This is awesome!! I’m so glad to hear it. Thank you so much for coming back and letting me know! 🙂

      Reply

  7. Keelin says

    Love this recipe. Bbq sauce is normally full of sugar and this tasted great without putting in molasses, refined sugar, or brown sugar. Unfortunately I can’t stand liquid smoke but I subbed in two chipotle peppers in adobo for a smokey taste. I’m not paleo or doing a Whole30 so I’m not positive if they are compliant but it’s a good substitute for anybody who doesn’t mind a little spice. I also used pineapple juice instead of apple because it was what I had on hand and it tasted great.

    Reply

    • paleobailey says

      I’m so happy to hear that! Thank you so much!!

      Reply

  8. Sheri Winkler says

    Hi, the recipe says 1/2 organic apple juice – I’m assuming 1/2 cup? It says it yields 2 cups but the ingredients don’t even equal 2 cups so I don’t see how that’s possible. So is it supposed to be 1 1/2 cups apple juice?

    Reply

    • paleobailey says

      Hi Sheri! I meant 1/2 cup, sorry I mistyped. As far as the yield goes – it does yield 2 cups. Tomato paste is concentrated, it reduces quite a bit once heated. The dates also take up space and increase total volume of the recipe.

      Reply

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Whole30 BBQ Sauce: Paleo, Vegan, Sugar-Free Recipe! - Whole Kitchen Sink (2024)

FAQs

What is a Whole30 sugar substitute? ›

Sweet and creamy, date paste is paleo, whole30 compliant and vegan. It's the perfect sugar substitute that can be used for baking, sweetening sauces, making salad dressings, marinades, sweetening beverages and more!

What makes BBQ sauce not vegan? ›

Obviously anything with meat, milk, or eggs is out, but sometimes those animal ingredients hide under stealthier labels that you may not know. Look out for these ingredients that render a BBQ sauce definitively not vegan: Honey. It's made by bees, so most vegans won't go near it.

Is liquid smoke Whole30 approved? ›

Brands of Whole30 liquid smoke and Paleo liquid smoke are Cedar House (linked above), Lazy Kettle, Wright's, Living Nutrtional's (not my favorite). Other variations I've made when skipping the liquid smoke include adding more cayenne, or adding a dash or two of franks hot sauce to get a little spice but not too much!

Can you have sauces on Whole30? ›

6 Whole30 Sauces that Aren't Mayo that you need in your life! From spicy chimichurri, to creamy lemon garlic, avocado lime, cheesy buffalo, and more. These healthy sauces will add a boost of flavor to any protein, veggie, or meal. Vegan, paleo, gluten-free, and dairy-free.

Why is stevia not allowed on Whole30? ›

While it's not highly processed like its liquid or powdery cousins, the only purpose of stevia is to sweeten something that was not already sweet. As such, this rules out all forms of stevia during your Whole30 elimination.

What is the least harmful sugar substitute? ›

Stevia and monk fruit are both naturally derived from plants and some people feel they have a flavor very similar to regular sugar. The FDA says these sweeteners are “generally regarded as safe,” which means they are safe to use for their intended purpose.

Is Sweet Baby Ray's barbecue sauce vegan friendly? ›

You've likely come across Sweet Baby Ray's Barbecue Sauce at the grocery store. So, you'll be happy to know that the majority of this budget-friendly condiment's flavors are vegan. We're talking Original, Sweet Golden Mustard, No Sugar Added, Hickory and Brown Sugar, and more. Just keep an eye out for honey.

What can be a substitute for BBQ sauce? ›

But if you are looking for some alternative sauces with that sweet tinge to prepare baby ribs for your weekend get-together, here are some options.
  • Hoisin Sauce. ...
  • Plum Sauce. ...
  • Mustard Sauce. ...
  • Teriyaki Sauce. ...
  • Fruit-Based Sauces.

Is Chick Fil A BBQ sauce vegan? ›

When it comes to adding a bit of extra flavor to your veganized menu item, a little sauce or dressing goes a long way. Chick-fil-A has quite a few animal-free options to choose from, including the standard ketchup, mustard, and BBQ, but also chili lime vinaigrette dressing and sweet and spicy sriracha.

What is banned on Whole30? ›

On Whole30, you can eat meat, vegetables, fruit, tree nuts and seeds, and healthy fats. However, you must avoid sugar, grains, legumes, dairy, alcohol, and processed food additives. Although it would be difficult and very restrictive to maintain long term, the Whole30 is designed to be done only for 30 days.

Are potatoes allowed on Whole30? ›

Yes, you can eat potatoes of all colors under the new Whole30 guidelines, white varieties included. Mash 'em up, roast them, or throw them in the skillet to enjoy. Just don't eat them commercially deep-fried or in packaged chip form to stay Whole30-compliant.

Are Larabars Whole30? ›

These LÄRABAR flavors are Whole30® Compliant:

Carrot Cake. Cashew Cookie. Cherry Pie. Chocolate Coconut Chew.

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.

Is hummus OK on Whole30? ›

Whole30 bans legumes like chickpeas. Still, you can whip up a tasty chickpea-free hummus using avocados, cooked cauliflower, and a few other healthy ingredients.

Can you eat popcorn on Whole30? ›

IS POPCORN WHOLE30? No — popcorn is made from a whole grain (dried corn AKA popcorn kernels), and grains are eliminated on the Whole30 diet.

Is monk fruit Whole30 approved? ›

Per the official program rules, you must eliminate all of the following for 30 days, no exceptions: Added sugar, real or artificial. This includes (but is not limited to) maple syrup, honey, agave nectar, coconut sugar, date syrup, stevia, monk fruit, Splenda, Equal, Nutrasweet, and xylitol.

What are 3 natural substitutes for sugar? ›

Stevia could be used as a powdered sugar substitute. Coconut sugar can be used as a 1:1 replacement. If your recipe doesn't require dissolving or melting sugar, date sugar could also be used. With some modifications, honey, maple syrup and molasses could also be used as a granulated sugar substitute.

What sugar substitute is closest to real sugar? ›

Overall, allulose is the closest to processed sugar in both taste and texture while holding less calories. Erythritol has a taste very similar to sugar with no aftertaste but can create a cooling sensation in the mouth.

What is the cleanest sugar substitute? ›

Substitutes like stevia flavors and erythritol offer a way to enjoy the sweetness you crave without the negative health impacts associated with high sugar consumption. As per our expertise, stevia and erythritol are two of the healthiest sugar alternatives due to their: low glycemic index.

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