10-minute Vegan BBQ Sauce (tastes like Heinz!)
Jul 14, 2023 (Last updated Feb 10, 2026) by Hannah Sunderani
Get your taste buds ready for the best Vegan BBQ sauce! Made with just a few simple pantry ingredients. Quickly whisk it together on the stovetop until thickened and beautifully deep in both colour and flavour. In just 10-minutes you have a perfectly sweet, tangy, and smoky vegan bbq sauce – made without any icky ingredients or animal products.
Store it in glass jars in the fridge and use throughout the week to add instant flavour to your favourite dishes such as my personal favourite Vegan BBQ Jackfruit Pulled Pork, or as a dip for my tofu nuggets!
Now let’s get into all the details so you can whip up this BBQ sauce pronto!
This Vegan BBQ Sauce is….
- Ready in 10 minutes
- Requires just 10 ingredients
- Healthy
- Well spiced
- Versatile
- Meal-prep friendly
- Vegan
- Gluten-free
- So much better than store-bought bbq sauces!
Ingredient Notes
Making your own BBQ sauce from scratch requires just 10 wholesome ingredients. For the full recipe and measurements, scroll down to the complete recipe card below!
- Ketchup and maple syrup add sweetness, a simple tomato base, and the perfect texture and thickness for a thick BBQ sauce!
- Apple cider vinegar and dijon mustard adds acidity and tanginess that helps balance the sweetness.
- Tamari and white miso add savouriness and umami-packed flavour. These ingredients also help keep this BBQ sauce naturally gluten-free! If you’re not gluten-free, feel free to substitute soy sauce. Or, if you prefer a lower salt content, try coconut aminos.
- Chili powder, smoked paprika, ground black pepper, and onion powder are the perfect blend of BBQ spices. They add complexity, depth, natural flavor and an irresistible aroma! And if you’re looking for a kick, add chili flakes or even cayenne pepper to taste!
How to Make Vegan BBQ Sauce
This easy vegan BBQ sauce really does come together in 10 minutes in a single saucepan!
Start by adding all of the ingredients to a large saucepan over medium heat and whisk to combine. Bring the BBQ sauce to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer, whisking occasionally.
Continue simmering until the BBQ sauce has thickened into a pourable paste, about 8 minutes. If the sauce begins to splatter, cover with a lid slightly ajar to stop the splattering and allow the steam to escape.
Once the sauce has thickened to your liking, taste and adjust the seasonings as needed. If you prefer a sweeter BBQ sauce, add additional maple syrup. If you find it too sweet, add additional apple cider vinegar. If you want it smokier or spicier, increase the smoked paprika or add chili flakes.
Finally, allow the BBQ sauce to cool slightly, then transfer to a sealable glass jar until ready to use or use immediately as desired!
I hope you love this homemade barbecue sauce as much as I do! If you do make this recipe, please let me know in the comments below what you think and check out The Two Spoons App and The Two Spoons Cookbook for more vegan recipes like this! I truly love hearing from you, and I’m always here to answer any questions you might have.
And of course, tag me on Instagram with your pictures using the hashtag #twospoons. Nothing makes me happier than to see your recreations.
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10-Minute Vegan BBQ Sauce (tastes like Heinz!)
Ingredients
- 1 cup ketchup (9.7oz / 275g)
- 3 tbsp maple syrup (or coconut sugar)
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 2 tbsp tamari
- 1 tbsp sweet white miso
- 1 tsp dijon mustard
- 1 1/2 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp ground pepper
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/4 tsp chili flakes (optional for heat)
Instructions
- Add all the ingredients to a large saucepan and whisk to combine.
- Warm the sauce over medium heat and once bubbling, reduce the heat to low and simmer, whisking occasionally. Simmer the sauce until it thickened into a pourable paste, 8 minutes. Be sure to covering the pan with a lid slightly ajar to stop splattering.
- Taste and adjust the seasonings if desired. Add more maple / coconut sugar for sweetness, vinegar for acidity to balance the sweetness, paprika for smokiness. Option to add a pinch of chili flakes if you like the heat.
- Allow to cool slightly, then transfer to a sealable glass jar until ready to use.
Notes
Approvals
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