How to Make Sugar-Free BBQ Sauce
August 25, 2024
This Sugar-Free BBQ Sauce recipe is a fantastic option for anyone following a keto lifestyle. The keto diet emphasizes low-carb and high-fat foods, making it essential to avoid traditional BBQ sauces loaded with sugars. This recipe replaces sugar with a keto-friendly sweetener, ensuring you can enjoy the tangy, smoky flavor of BBQ sauce without derailing your carb count.
Why It’s Keto-Friendly:
Low in Carbs: The use of a sugar substitute dramatically reduces the carbohydrate content, making it a suitable option for those on a keto diet.
Healthy Fats: While the sauce itself is low in fat, it can be paired with high-fat meats like pork or beef, making it perfect for a keto meal.
No Hidden Sugars: Unlike store-bought BBQ sauces that often contain hidden sugars, this homemade version allows you to control every ingredient.
Achieving the Perfect Flavor:
This BBQ sauce is designed to be tangy and slightly smoky, with the richness of the dark lager beer adding depth to the flavor. The apple cider vinegar is key to achieving that desired tanginess, balancing out the sweetness of the keto-friendly sweetener. If you prefer a more pronounced tang, you can increase the amount of vinegar slightly.
The addition of mustard and prepared horseradish adds a subtle sharpness, while the smoked paprika and chili powder bring in a hint of smokiness and spice. These elements combine to create a well-rounded sauce that enhances the flavor of whatever it accompanies.
Customizing Your Sauce:
More Tang: For extra tang, consider adding a bit more apple cider vinegar or even a splash of lemon juice.
Spice Level: If you enjoy a spicier BBQ sauce, you can increase the chili powder or add a dash of cayenne pepper.
Smokiness: To enhance the smoky flavor, consider adding a bit more smoked paprika or even a few drops of liquid smoke.
This versatile sauce is not only keto-friendly but also customizable to suit your taste preferences. Whether you’re slathering it on ribs, using it as a marinade, or serving it as a dipping sauce, this Sugar-Free BBQ Sauce will add a bold, tangy flavor to your dishes without the carbs.
Sugar-Free BBQ Sauce
Servings: 8
Serving Size: 1/4 cup
Calories per Serving: 32.14 kcal
Ingredients:
12 oz dark lager beer of your choice
1/2 cup sweetener of choice (preferably golden or brown)
1/2 cup tomato sauce
3/4 cup apple cider vinegar
2 tablespoons mustard
2 teaspoons prepared horseradish
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
2 teaspoons garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon chili powder (cayenne, chipotle, etc.)
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/2 teaspoon xanthan gum
Instructions:
Combine Ingredients:
In a heavy pot, combine all ingredients except the xanthan gum. Whisk until fully incorporated.
Simmer:
Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Simmer for about an hour, ensuring the temperature remains low.
Thicken the Sauce:
Gradually sprinkle the xanthan gum over the sauce, whisking constantly until fully dissolved. Continue to whisk until the sauce thickens to your desired consistency.
Store:
Remove from heat and let the sauce cool. Transfer to a closed container and store in the refrigerator for up to 2 months.
Nutritional Information (per 1/4 cup):
Total Fat: 0.12 g
Saturated Fat: 0.02 g
Total Carbohydrates: 4.46 g
Dietary Fiber: 0.61 g
Sugars: 0.94 g
Protein: 0.68 g
Cholesterol: 0 mg
Sodium: 261.34 mg
Trans Fat: 0 g
This sugar-free BBQ sauce is a flavorful, low-calorie option for your grilling and cooking needs. Enjoy the rich taste with a hint of smokiness, perfect for pairing with meats or veggies.
Print the Recipe Here
Make this keto baked chicken with this sugar-free BBQ sauce:
Keto Barbecue Chicken in the Oven
Ingredients:
6 chicken drumsticks, thighs, or 2 chicken breasts
Paprika
Garlic powder
Salt & Pepper
Oil
Keto BBQ Sauce
Instructions:
Prepare the Chicken:
Rinse and pat dry the chicken pieces.
Sprinkle salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic powder on one side of the chicken.
Drizzle a small amount of oil on the chicken and rub it in with the spices.
Wash your hands, flip the chicken, and repeat the seasoning process on the other side.
Allow the seasoned chicken to sit at room temperature for about 20 minutes.
Cook the Chicken:
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
Lightly spray a rack inside a roasting pan with cooking spray.
Place the chicken on the rack and position the pan in the oven.
Cook the chicken for 30 minutes.
Apply the BBQ Sauce:
Remove the pan from the oven and reduce the heat to 350°F (175°C).
Generously slather the chicken with your keto BBQ sauce on one side, flip it, and coat the other side.
Return the pan to the oven and cook for 10 minutes.
Remove the pan, repeat the sauce application on both sides, and cook for another 10 minutes.
For a final time, slather the chicken with the sauce on both sides, being generous. Return to the oven and cook for an additional 5 minutes or longer if needed. Every oven is different, so the total cooking time may vary, potentially taking up to 60 minutes.
Nutritional Information (per 1/4 cup of Keto BBQ Sauce):
Calories: 32.138 kcal
Fat, Total: 0.116 g
Saturated Fat: 0.017 g
Sugar, Total: 0.935 g
Total Carbohydrate: 4.455 g
Fiber: 0.607 g
Protein: 0.683 g
Cholesterol: 0.000 mg
Trans Fatty Acid: 0.000 g
Sodium: 261.338 mg
Enjoy your flavorful keto barbecue chicken!
Print the Recipe Here
And . . . these oven baked ribs as well!
Baby Back Ribs in the Oven
Ingredients:
1 slab baby back ribs
2 teaspoons garlic powder
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon powdered mustard or prepared mustard
1 teaspoon ground chili powder (optional, use cayenne or chipotle)
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon oregano
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon powder
1 teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons oil
1 lime or lemon
Salt
Sugar-free BBQ sauce or BBQ sauce of your choice
Instructions:
Prepare the Ribs:
Rinse and pat dry the ribs.
Turn the ribs meat side down. Using a small paring knife, slide it underneath the thin membrane (fascia) that covers the bones at one end and release a piece.
Grab a paper towel and pull the membrane towards you to remove it. If done correctly, it should come off in one piece. If it breaks, simply repeat the process until the entire membrane is removed.
Make the Spice Paste:
In a small bowl, combine garlic powder, dried thyme, mustard, chili powder (if using), cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, black pepper, and cinnamon.
Add the oil to the spice mixture and stir to create a paste.
Season the Ribs:
Transfer the ribs to a rack inside a roasting pan.
Squeeze half of the lime or lemon juice onto the ribs, then sprinkle with salt and rub it in along with the juice.
Generously apply half of the spice paste to the ribs, rubbing it in thoroughly.
Flip the ribs over and repeat the seasoning process on the other side.
Flip the ribs again so that they are bone side down and allow them to sit at room temperature for about 20 minutes.
Cook the Ribs:
Preheat your oven to 315°F (160°C).
Tent the roasting pan with aluminum foil and place the ribs in the oven. Cook for 90 minutes.
Remove the pan from the oven and carefully take off the foil. Slather the ribs with BBQ sauce.
Tent the pan again and return to the oven for another 30 minutes.
Remove the pan, slather the ribs with more BBQ sauce, add a little water to the roasting pan, tent, and return to the oven for another 30 minutes.
For the final step, uncover the ribs, slather with BBQ sauce again, and return to the oven, uncovered, for an additional 30 minutes.
Serve:
Allow the ribs to rest for about 5 minutes before cutting them.
Tent the pan to keep the ribs warm during this time.
Cut the ribs and serve with additional BBQ sauce.
Enjoy your delicious, tender baby back ribs!
Nutritional Breakdown (Per Serving, assuming 4 servings):
Calories: 450-550 kcal (depending on the amount of BBQ sauce used)
Protein: 40-50 g
Fat: 30-35 g
Carbohydrates: 5-10 g (based on the BBQ sauce used)
Fiber: 1-2 g
Sugars: 2-5 g
Sodium: 800-1000 mg
Note: Nutritional values can vary depending on the specific ingredients and BBQ sauce used.