10-minute Vegan BBQ Sauce

Jul 14, 2023 by Hannah Sunderani

10-minute Vegan BBQ Sauce

Get your taste buds ready for the best Vegan BBQ sauce! It’s so much healthier than store-bought barbecue sauce and made with just a few simple 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! 

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! 

Serving Suggestions

There are so many uses for homemade BBQ sauce! Aside from using it to make my favourite Vegan BBQ Jackfruit Pulled Pork recipe, BBQ sauce can also be used as a dipping sauce, vegan pizza base, or as a condiment for proteins and veggies. Here are a few recipes to give you inspiration: 

• Use it as a dip for Tofu Nuggets (Vegan Chicken Nuggets), BBQ Tofu Skewers, Crispy Baked Potato Wedges, or Baked Sweet Potato Wedges.
• Marinate your favourite vegan proteins such as tofu, tempeh, or chickpeas in it. 
• Serve spread on toasted hamburger buns with veggie burgers like Homemade Lentil Burgers or Jackfruit Pulled Pork. 
• Drizzle it over your favorite Vegan Mac and Cheese such as Easy Vegan Mac and Cheese or Vegan Cauliflower Mac and Cheese.

Recipe FAQs

What makes BBQ sauce vegan?

Traditional BBQ sauce and store-bought BBQ sauce often contains non-vegan ingredients such as honey, Worcestershire sauce, mayonnaise, and collagen or other thickening agents. While you can find BBQ sauces made without these ingredients in grocery stores, it’s so simple and easy to make your own at home you won’t regret it!

Can I make this BBQ sauce sugar free?

Absolutely! This homemade recipe is made without ingredients such as brown sugar or high-fructose corn syrup, but the main ingredient is organic cane sugar sweetened ketchup. If you’d prefer to make your homemade BBQ sauce recipe without refined sugars, make it with a Homemade Ketchup sweetened with dates. Your friends and family won’t be able to taste the difference!

How long does homemade BBQ sauce last in a jar?

Once prepared, this BBQ sauce will keep in the fridge for up to 1 week or in the freezer for up to 3 months. For best results, freeze in a glass jar such as a mason jar or a similar airtight container. If freezing, make sure to fill the jars below the freeze line to prevent the jar from cracking. 

More Homemade Vegan Sauces Recipes You Might Like:

• 5-Minute Thai Peanut Sauce Recipe (Vegan)
• 5-Minute Moroccan Citrus Vinaigrette
• Healthy Ranch Dressing
• Miso Sauce
• Vegan Caesar Dressing

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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• Summer
• 10 ingredients or less
• 15 mins or less