Quick Smoky Sugar Free BBQ Sauce (Low Carb Recipe)

This quick no-cook sugar free BBQ sauce delivers smoky, sweet, tangy—and just a tad spicy—flavor in every bite. It's perfect for slathering on barbecue ribs, pulled pork, chicken, and more. Made from scratch without sugar, ketchup, or Worcestershire sauce, this easy, clean eating low carb recipe comes together in less than 5 minutes!

Why You'll LOVE this Sugar Free BBQ Sauce Recipe

As someone who sometimes shops for sugar-free products, I've been disappointed by most store-bought sugar-free barbecue sauces. They're usually expensive ($8 a bottle! Ouch!), bland, overly sweet, or full of ingredients that don't sit well with my gut. Plus, I don't always want to fire up a pan just to make a sauce—so creating a homemade, no cook version was the obvious solution.

Here's why you'll love this homemade sugar-free BBQ sauce, too:

• Clean Ingredients – Made from scratch with real ingredients.
• Naturally Sweetened – Sweetened with monk fruit or my sugar free brown sugar replacement, a 2-ingredient, 5 minute recipe.
• Free From Common Additives – No ketchup, no brown sugar, and no Worcestershire sauce. It also contains no apple cider vinegar and uses balsamic vinegar instead.
• Diet-Friendly – Naturally gluten-free, low sugar, low carb, and Keto-friendly.
• Bold Flavor – Rich and smoky with just enough chipotle heat to keep things interesting.
• Versatile Pairing – Perfect for pork, chicken, or maybe even tofu!
• Homemade Control – Know exactly what goes in your sauce—no surprises!
• Quick and Easy – Simple to make and incredibly easy to customize.
• No Cooking Needed – Just whisk ingredients together in a bowl—no simmering and minimal cleanup.

Ingredients

Use these ingredients to make the best ever BBQ sauce sugar-free:

• Strained tomatoes – Also known as passata, strained tomatoes offer a smoother texture than tomato paste or sauce and work beautifully in homemade sauces like my pizza sauce, ketchup, and cocktail sauce recipe. Found in the same grocery aisle as canned tomato sauce, they're typically made with just tomatoes and salt—no additives.
• Balsamic vinegar – I find balsamic vinegar adds acidity and natural sweetness to the sauce. You can experiment with other vinegar types if you'd like.
• Sugar-Free Sweetener – For the best flavor, I recommend using my sugar free brown sugar substitute, which adds a richer, more classic sweetness. You can also use granulated monk fruit sweetener for a simpler option—it has a 1:1 ratio with sugar and no funky aftertaste like stevia. If you use another low carb sweetener, keep in mind the amounts may vary depending on the type.
• Seasoning – I season the sauce with smoked paprika, ground chipotle chili pepper, and salt for some savory, smoky heat without being too spicy. Ground cloves are optional but highly recommended as they add some great depth to the flavor of the sauce, as shown in my super flavorful pork and beans recipe.
• Smoke – Liquid smoke is an easy way to add deep smoky flavor to sauces and dips. I use hickory flavored, but other flavors would also work well.
• Thickener (Optional) – For a thicker sauce, I find xanthan gum handy for a no-cook BBQ sauce (and numerous other recipes) as it doesn't require any heat to thicken things. It also keeps this BBQ sauce low carb, Keto, and gluten-free. If you prefer not to use xanthan gum, scroll down to my "To Thicken or Not To Thicken?" section below.

I prefer making my no sugar BBQ sauce without ketchup—even the sugar-free kinds, which are fine but often pricey and contain additives. It's actually easy to recreate that classic ketchup flavor using just a few simple ingredients. While some people think using ketchup saves time when making homemade sauces, I've found the time savings to be minimal.

A full list of ingredients and their quantities can be found in the recipe card below.

Equipment

As this sugar-free BBQ sauce recipe is no cook, this is all the equipment you'll need to make it:

• Small mixing bowl – These Pyrex mixing bowls with lids are so convenient for making and storing homemade sauces (and more).
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Whisk
• Spoon or spatula
• Airtight jar or container (optional) – For storing the sauce if not using immediately.

How to Make Sugar Free BBQ Sauce

Follow these simple instructions to make the best sugar free BBQ sauce:

Step #1: Whisk it Up

Grab a small bowl and toss in the strained tomatoes, balsamic vinegar, sweetener, chipotle powder, smoked paprika, salt, ground cloves (if you're using them), and that fragrant liquid smoke. Whisk for 1-2 minutes, or until the sweetener dissolves and the sauce looks smooth and glossy. If it's still a bit grainy, keep whisking—your patience will pay off.

Step #2: Taste Test Time

Dip in a spoon and see what you think. Want it a little sweeter? A little smokier? Go ahead and adjust to taste—it's your sauce!

Step #3: Thicken (Optional)

If you like your BBQ sauce on the thicker side, sprinkle in some xanthan gum and whisk until it thickens up to your liking and the xanthan gum absorbs. This may take another minute or two.

Step #4: Slather and Enjoy

You can use it right away, but it's even better after resting for 10 minutes. Make it just before starting to make other recipes. Try it as a smoky-sweet glaze for BBQ ribs or chicken wings, a dip for chicken tenders, or toss it with pulled pork—this sauce is ready to party.

Storage Tips

Made too much sauce? No problem! This homemade sugar free BBQ sauce stores well:

• In the Fridge – Transfer to an airtight container, like a glass jar, and store in the refrigerator for up to 7 to 10 days. Stir before using, especially if you skipped the xanthan gum.
• In the Freezer – Freeze leftovers in small portions for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight and whisk if needed.

Keep in mind these are just general guidelines—if it smells off or looks funky, it's best to toss it.

Frequently Asked Questions