Name: Homemade Barbecue Sauce
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 1
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 onion, chopped; 1 clove of garlic, crushed; 1 cup of butternut squash, cubed; 1/2 cup (120ml) of tomato paste; 2 teaspoon of paprika; 2 teaspoon of smoked paprika; 1 teaspoon of onion powder; 4 tablespoon of soy sauce; 3 tablespoon of balsamic vinegar; 1/2 tablespoon of American yellow mustard; 1/2 teaspoon of ground ginger; 2 cups (480ml) of water; 3 tablespoons of brown granulated sweetener; olive oil spray; salt and black pepper to season

Jump to Recipe

Homemade BBQ Sauce - a rich smoky barbecue sauce with the perfect balance of sweet, tangy and savoury flavour, made without loads of added sugar. It is perfect for brushing onto meats, using as a dip or adding to all your favourite barbecue style recipes.

Homemade Barbecue Sauce in a jar on a board with a spoon with some of the sauce

Ever since moving to Canada, I have been amazed by just how seriously barbecue sauce is taken over here, especially with all the different regional styles and rib festivals. After tasting so many delicious versions over the years, I really wanted to create a homemade version that still had all that smoky sweet flavour but worked better with lower calorie everyday meals. It took a few tries to get just right, but this one has become a favourite in our house.

Calories in Homemade BBQ Sauce

¼ cup serving of the sauce is just 64 calories

If you're looking for more recipes by calories, you'll find plenty of options grouped by calorie range here: Slimming Eats Low Calorie Recipes

If you're following a calorie-controlled diet or a healthy eating plan, it's important to calculate your daily calorie needs using a reliable calorie calculator. The calorie counts provided are estimates and can vary depending on the exact ingredients and portion sizes you use. Using your own calculations helps ensure you're meeting your individual needs. A calorie calculator can help you make informed choices and stay on track with your goals.

See the recipe card for full nutritional estimation.

Ingredients Notes

To make this recipe you will need the following ingredients:

Onion: Adds sweetness and depth of flavour as it cooks down into the sauce.
Garlic: Fresh garlic gives the sauce extra savoury flavour and warmth.
Butternut Squash :Adds natural sweetness and helps create a rich smooth texture without needing loads of sugar.
Tomato Paste: Forms the rich base of the BBQ sauce and gives it that deep tomato flavour.
Paprika: Adds warmth and classic barbecue flavour.
Smoked Paprika: Gives the sauce that delicious smoky flavour that makes it taste like a proper barbecue sauce.
Onion Powder: Adds extra savoury depth and boosts the flavour of the sauce.
Soy Sauce: Adds saltiness and umami flavour. Tamari or coconut aminos work well too if needed.
Balsamic Vinegar: Adds tanginess and a slight sweetness that balances the smoky flavours perfectly.
Yellow American Mustard: Gives a subtle sharpness that works really well in barbecue sauce.
Ground Ginger: Adds a gentle warmth and extra depth of flavour.
Water: Helps loosen the sauce to the perfect consistency while simmering.
Granulated Sweetener: Adds sweetness without needing regular sugar. Adjust to taste depending on how sweet you like your BBQ sauce.
Olive oil Spray: Used for softening the onion and squash without needing lots of oil.
Salt and Black Pepper: Important for seasoning and balancing all the flavours.

Once you've gathered all the ingredients and prepared them accordingly, you're all set to create this easy and delightful recipe.

See the recipe card for specific quantities and instructions.

Variations on the Sauce

This homemade BBQ sauce is really easy to adapt depending on the flavour you like best.

Add extra smoked paprika if you prefer a stronger smoky flavour.
A pinch of chilli flakes or cayenne pepper adds a little heat.
Swap the balsamic vinegar for apple cider vinegar for a tangier sauce.
Maple syrup or honey can be used instead of sweetener if preferred.
Add a splash of Worcestershire sauce for extra depth and savoury flavour.
A little liquid smoke gives an even smokier barbecue flavour.
Use chipotle powder instead of regular paprika for a smoky spicy kick.
Blend in roasted red peppers for a slightly sweeter smoother sauce.
Add a spoonful of coffee or espresso for a deeper richer flavour.
Pineapple juice, apple or orange juice can be added for a sweeter fruitier BBQ sauce.

Ways To Use Homemade BBQ Sauce

This homemade BBQ sauce is perfect brushed over chicken, ribs, burgers or sausages before grilling or baking, adding loads of smoky sweet flavour. It also works really well stirred through pulled chicken or pulled pork for easy sandwiches, wraps or loaded baked potatoes.

You can use it as a dipping sauce for wedges, fries, chicken tenders or roasted vegetables, or drizzle it over loaded fries and burgers for extra flavour. It is also delicious as a sauce for homemade pizzas instead of tomato sauce for a barbecue style twist.

Storing, Freezing and Reheating

Storing

Allow the BBQ sauce to cool completely before transferring to a jar or airtight container. Store in the fridge for up to 1 week. This recipe is also great for doubling or tripling if you want to make a larger batch to keep on hand for quick meals during the week.

Freezing

The sauce freezes really well. Portion into freezer safe containers or small freezer bags and freeze for up to 3 months.Defrost overnight in the fridge before using.

Reheating

Reheat gently in a saucepan over a low heat until warmed through, stirring occasionally. You can also microwave in short bursts, stirring in between until heated through. If the sauce thickens too much after storing, simply add a splash of water to loosen to your preferred consistency.

Homemade Barbecue Sauce in a glass bowl with sauce on a spoon

More Sauce, Dips and Dressing

Love a sauce, dip or dressing? Check out these other recipes:

See more Dip, Sauce and Dressing Recipes →

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All recipes on Slimming Eats have estimated nutritional information for your convenience.

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Recipe Card

Yield: 1.5 cups

Homemade Barbecue Sauce

Homemade BBQ Sauce - a rich smoky barbecue sauce with the perfect balance of sweet, tangy and savoury flavour that is delicious brushed onto meats, used as a dip or added to your favourite recipes.

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 30 minutes

Total Time 45 minutes

Ingredients

1 onion, chopped
1 clove of garlic, crushed
1 cup of butternut squash, cubed
½ cup (120ml) of tomato paste
2 teaspoon of paprika
2 teaspoon of smoked paprika
1 teaspoon of onion powder
4 tablespoon of soy sauce
3 tablespoon of balsamic vinegar
½ tablespoon of American yellow mustard
½ teaspoon of ground ginger
2 cups (480ml) of water
3 tablespoons of brown granulated sweetener
olive oil spray
salt and black pepper to season

Instructions

Spray a saucepan over a medium heat with olive oil spray.
Add the onion and garlic and fry for approximately 5 minutes until softened.
Add all the remaining ingredients, except the salt and black pepper, and stir well to combine.
Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer uncovered for 20-25 minutes. You want the sauce to continue gently bubbling so it reduces and thickens slightly.
Season to taste with salt and black pepper.
For a smoother sauce, push the mixture through a coarse sieve to separate the sauce from the softened vegetables. If you prefer a thicker BBQ sauce, simply blend the whole mixture until smooth.
Transfer to a sealable jar or airtight container and store in the fridge for up to 1 week or can be frozen.

Notes

Please see below for full nutritional info and additional details about recipe:

Calories - scroll down to nutritional info box
WW Points and other Slimming or Weight Loss programs - due to plans regularly changing and updating, we recommend calculating with the official tools you get as a member to those plans to ensure accuracy of values.
Dairy Free Friendly
Gluten Free Friendly - use gluten free stock
Vegetarian Friendly
❄️ Freezer Friendly - - see storing, freezing and reheating section.

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Nutrition Information

Yield

Serving Size

¼ cup
Amount Per Serving Calories 64Total Fat 1gSaturated Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 1gSodium 165mgCarbohydrates 14gFiber 4gSugar 5gProtein 3g

Nutritional information and values etc are an estimate and is to be used for informational purposes only. Ingredients can vary greatly from brand to brand and therefore it would be impossible to give accurate information. It is always advised that you calculate by the ingredients you use.

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