Homemade Whole30 BBQ Sauce Recipe (Paleo too!) (2024)

Last updated February 6, 2023

Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe

This post may contain affiliate links. Read our disclosure here.

This homemade Whole30 BBQ sauce recipe is easy to make and ready in just 10 minutes! Sweetened with dates, it’s the perfect blend of smoky, tangy, and sweet flavors (that’s better than any store bought kind)! Slather it over pulled pork, ribs, or chicken for the best summer BBQ. Paleo and Vegan too!

Homemade Whole30 BBQ Sauce Recipe (Paleo too!) (1)

Homemade Whole30 BBQ Sauce With Dates

Healthy BBQ sauce without high fructose corn syrup, added sugars, artificial coloring and “natural flavors” –yes please!

If you normally buy BBQ sauce at the store, check the ingredients on the bottle. Most brands of BBQ sauce are filled with artificial ingredients and LOADS of sugar. By making your own BBQ sauce at home you are in control of the ingredients and it’s a lot cheaper than buying a store bought Whole30 compliant BBQ sauce.

Your going to love this healthy BBQ sauce as it is the perfect mix of sweet, smoky, and tangy flavors. All you need is a few ingredients and 10 minutes to whip it up at your next outdoor BBQ.

Whole30 & Paleo BBQ Sauce Ingredients:

Since this is whole30 BBQ recipe, I am using all real-food ingredients to make the sauce. You’ll need the following ingredients:

Homemade Whole30 BBQ Sauce Recipe (Paleo too!) (2)

How To Make this Healthy BBQ Sauce

This whole30 barbecue sauce is so easy to make! Whip it up in just 10 minutes…

  1. Combine ingredients in a saucepan.
  2. Simmer (not boil!) to soften the dates and thicken the sauce.
  3. Blend sauce in a food processor or blender for 1-2 minutes.
  4. Store in a mason jar or airtight container.
Homemade Whole30 BBQ Sauce Recipe (Paleo too!) (3)

Recipe Variations:

Make it your own by customizing the flavors to your taste:

  • If you don’t have dates: substitute with 1/2 cup of apple sauce (Whole30 compliant), and skip the blending step. Paleo – substitute with honey or maple syrup. I recommend trying 3-4 tablespoons and adding more if needed.
  • Make it thicker: Simmer the sauce for a longer amount of time.
  • Make it smokier: add smoked paprika or chipotle chili powder to taste. You can also add a small amount of liquid smoke. Make sure to choose a brand with just 2 ingredients: water and smoke.
  • Make it sweeter: add 1-2 more dates (for Whole30 compliant). If paleo you can add more honey or maple syrup.
  • Make it more tangy: increase the amount of apple cider vinegar. This will add more tartness to the sauce. You can also add dijon or grainy mustard.
  • Make it spicy: add hot sauce, red pepper flakes, or a pinch of cayenne pepper.
Homemade Whole30 BBQ Sauce Recipe (Paleo too!) (4)

Storing Homemade BBQ Sauce

I store my Whole30 barbecue sauce in 16-ounce mason jars. The jars make it easy to spoon the sauce out whenever the BBQ cravings strike.

These sauce bottles are also a good option if you want a skinnier bottle. They come in a pack of 6 so you can also use them for salad dressings or other sauces.

Store the BBQ sauce in the fridge for up to 2 weeks, and in the freezer for up to 3 months.

More Whole30 Recipes You’ll Love:

  • Paleo Sloppy Joes with Sweet Potatoes (Whole30)
  • The Best Healthy Sweet and Sour Chicken (Paleo, Whole30)
  • Easy Sweet Potato Taco Skillet (Paleo, Whole30)
  • Spinach Artichoke Chicken Skillet (Paleo, Whole30, Keto)

Print

Homemade Whole30 BBQ Sauce Recipe (Paleo too!) (5)

Homemade Whole30 BBQ Sauce Recipe (Paleo)

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

5 from 1 review

  • Author: Abbey Blackwell
  • Total Time: 10 minutes
  • Yield: 2.5 cups 1x
  • Diet: Gluten Free
Print Recipe

Description

This homemade Whole30 BBQ sauce recipe is easy to make and ready in just 10 minutes! Sweetened with dates, it’s the perfect blend of smoky, tangy, and sweet flavors (that’s better than any store bought kind)! Slather it over pulled pork, ribs, or chicken for the best BBQ. Paleo and Vegan too!

  • 1 8-ounce can or jar tomato sauce
  • 1 cup water
  • 5 pitted dates
  • 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
  • 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons chili powder
  • 1 tablespoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon dry mustard
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

  1. Combine all ingredients into a medium-sized saucepan over low-medium heat. Let the sauce simmer (not boil) for 10 minutes to soften the dates. Move the sauce pan off the burner and let the sauce cool for for about 5 minutes.
  2. Transfer the sauce to a food processor or blender and blend until dates are fully combined into the sauce and there are no chunks left, about 1 minute.
  3. Pour the BBQ sauce in a mason jar or airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks, or freezer for 6 months.
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 5 minutes
  • Category: Condiment
  • Method: Food Processor
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 2 tablespoons
  • Calories: 29
  • Sugar: 5.2 g
  • Sodium: 139.5 mg
  • Fat: 0.2 g
  • Carbohydrates: 7 g
  • Protein: 0.7 g
  • Cholesterol: 0 mg

Pin this recipe and save it for later!

Homemade Whole30 BBQ Sauce Recipe (Paleo too!) (8)
Ground Beef Taco Bowls with Cauliflower Rice (Whole30, Paleo, Keto)
Instant Pot BBQ Pulled Pork (Paleo, Whole30)

Share Your Thoughts

  1. This BBQ sauce is so good! I wish I had made it a little sweeter adding 1-2 more dates as suggested, but I will do that for round two! It did come out a little spicy so not sure my kids will like it, but it’s tasty to me 😋

    Reply

  2. Is this generally on the sweeter side or spicier side? I like my bbq sauce sweeter!

    Reply

    1. Hello!
      I would say it’s perfectly in between!

      Reply

Homemade Whole30 BBQ Sauce Recipe (Paleo too!) (2024)

FAQs

What sauces can I have on Whole30? ›

Whole30™ Compliant Condiments:
  • Mustard: Mustard always seems to make its way to the top of our condiment countdowns. ...
  • Homemade mayo: While most store-bought mayonnaise contains a ton of sneaky sugars, homemade mayo is quick, easy to make, and Whole30™ compliant. ...
  • Hot sauce: ...
  • Coconut aminos: ...
  • Vinegar: ...
  • Homemade ketchup:
Apr 17, 2021

How to thicken homemade barbecue sauce? ›

You can use either flour or cornstarch to thicken BBQ sauce. Just mix together 2 tbsp (16 g) of flour and ¼ cup (62.5 mL) of water, or combine 1 tbsp (9 g) of cornstarch with 1 tbsp (15 mL) of water. Continue mixing the thickener until there are no lumps of flour or cornstarch.

Can you eat BBQ on Whole30? ›

Since most barbecue food is fruit-, veggie-, and meat-focused, a lot of it is already Whole30-approved. Chicken skewers, burgers, fruit salad—yeah, you can eat all of that on Whole30. There are a few barbecue favorites you'll have to avoid if you're trying out the diet.

How does Gordon Ramsay make BBQ sauce? ›

For the BBQ sauce:
  1. 350g ketchup.
  2. 1 medium white onion diced.
  3. 70ml water.
  4. 80g soft brown sugar.
  5. 50g smoked paprika.
  6. 80g cider vinegar.
  7. 30g strong coffee (espresso is preferable)
  8. Splash of olive oil.

How do you thicken sauce on Whole30? ›

Tapioca starch and arrowroot powder a terrific gluten-free, paleo alternative for thickening sauces and gravy. Not only does is give this Whole30 Paleo Gravy its nice, glossy sheen but it also leaves zero floury aftertaste or chalky mouthfeel.

What oils are not Whole30 compliant? ›

So, we ban the seed oils specifically off-limits according to the Whole30 “no grains, no legumes” rules (corn oil, rice bran oil, soybean oil, and peanut oil), and encourage you use healthier oils like extra-virgin olive oil, avocado oil, high-oleic sunflower or safflower oils, coconut oils, or ghee at home and for ...

How do you thin BBQ sauce without losing flavor? ›

If it has a good strong flavor you could thin it with something complimentary like a little water, beer, or whiskey. If it needs a little acidity thin it with some vinegar or citrus juice and then balance that with some sugar or honey.

What can I add to BBQ sauce to make it thinner? ›

How to thin out BBQ sauce: Thin thick or sticky BBQ sauce by adding flavorful liquids like mop sauce, vinegar, alcohol like bourbon, fruit juices, pureed fruit, or beef or chicken broth.

How to thicken barbecue sauce without tomato paste? ›

Use Flour and Water

Combine 2 tablespoons flour with every 1/4 cup cold water and whisk until smooth. Add the mixture to your sauce over medium heat, and continue to stir and cook until you've reached your desired consistency. Test with a spoon.

What is the one bite rule on Whole30? ›

Here's the rule in a nutshell: If you think your less healthy treat is going to be so delicious, so incredible, so worth it, and then you take your first bite and discover it's not… STOP EATING.

What happens if I cheat on Whole30? ›

The Whole30 diet has strict rules. The overall goal is to restrict your eating. So, if you “cheat” on a day of your challenge, they recommend you start again from day one. You're supposed to be breaking food habits and cravings.

Does Whole30 cause ketosis? ›

No. The Whole30 diet doesn't have a carb limit, so it's not meant to put you in ketosis. However, it tends to be lower in carbohydrates than a standard American diet (SAD) since it cuts out grains, traditional baked foods, and processed items, which are major sources of carbs.

What gives BBQ sauce its distinct flavor? ›

Spices and seasonings: A variety of spices and seasonings are added to BBQ sauce to enhance its flavor. Common spices include paprika, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, cayenne pepper, and mustard powder. These ingredients contribute to the distinct taste and aroma of the sauce.

What is the most common ingredient in BBQ sauce? ›

The base ingredients of barbecue sauce usually include tomato sauce or ketchup, vinegar, and sweeteners, such as molasses or brown sugar. Other common ingredients include Worcestershire sauce, mustard, garlic, onion powder, and various spices, which can include paprika, cumin, and chili powder.

What makes BBQ sauce taste better? ›

To make it more flavorful

Try adding some barbecue sauce mix, or any other seasonings you like. Some popular choices include mustard, garlic powder, paprika, salt, or brown sugar. Worcestershire sauce is also a popular additive to help with the flavor.

What hot sauces are Whole30 compliant? ›

Frank's Red Hot, Cholula, and Tabasco are also Whole30-approved. Hot sauce in general is usually fine, although as always, read labels and look out for additives like sugar, cornstarch, and sulfate. (Conveniently, I would argue, as a hot sauce enthusiast, most of the best hot sauces don't have any of these anyway.)

Is anything at Chick Fil A Whole30 approved? ›

What Whole30 menu items to order at Chick-fil-A: It's probably best to skip Chick-fil-A altogether during your Whole30, Yawitz says. But, if you find yourself there, you could ask if they could make the grilled nuggets without the marinade on a Cobb Salad with no bacon, cheese, crispy red peppers, or corn.

Is salsa Whole30 approved? ›

Yes, salsa can be made Whole30. Check labels for Whole30.

What salad dressings can you eat on Whole30? ›

  • Whole30 Creamy Italian Dressing. Italian dressing is an obvious choice when it comes to perking up a salad. ...
  • Spicy Mango Dressing. ...
  • Champagne Vinaigrette. ...
  • Whole30 Buffalo Ranch Dressing. ...
  • Creamy Balsamic Vinaigrette. ...
  • Chimichurri Sauce. ...
  • Mojo Vinaigrette. ...
  • Lemon Garlic Tahini Sauce And Dressing.
Oct 19, 2020

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Annamae Dooley

Last Updated:

Views: 5710

Rating: 4.4 / 5 (65 voted)

Reviews: 88% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Annamae Dooley

Birthday: 2001-07-26

Address: 9687 Tambra Meadow, Bradleyhaven, TN 53219

Phone: +9316045904039

Job: Future Coordinator

Hobby: Archery, Couponing, Poi, Kite flying, Knitting, Rappelling, Baseball

Introduction: My name is Annamae Dooley, I am a witty, quaint, lovely, clever, rich, sparkling, powerful person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.