This Whole30 bbq sauce recipe has the most amazing flavour. It’s made with dates, coconut aminos and spices to make it slightly sweet and just a little smoky. It’s also really easy to make and is ready in just a few minutes using your blender or immersion blender. It’s also paleo, gluten free and vegan!
Whole30 BBQ Sauce
Why you will love this recipe:
- This bbq sauce has the most amazing flavour! Slightly sweet and a little smoky you will love the taste.
- It is so easy to make and is ready in just a few minutes using either your blender or immersion blender.
- It’s sugar-free, made without ketchup, and is sweetened only with dates making it a healthier alternative to most store bought bbq sauces.
- Besides being Whole30, this sauce is also paleo, gluten free and vegan.
- It can be used for so many things! Use it to top steaks, burgers, roasts, cooked vegetables and more.
Ingredients and substitutions:
- Tomato sauce – the base of this delicious sauce. You can also use pureed tomatoes instead.
- Tomato paste – to help thicken this barbecue sauce and give it an even bolder flavour.
- Dates – to give this sauce some natural sweetness without any refined sugars!
- Coconut aminos – a great soy sauce alternative, coconut aminos gives this sauce a delicious bold taste.
- Coconut vinegar – to add just a hint of tang to this recipe. You can swap this for balsamic vinegar or apple cider vinegar too.
- Dijon mustard – to add even more flavour to this sauce.
- Spices: salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder and paprika – nothing fancy here, these pantry staple spices punch up the flavour of this sauce. You can swap the paprika for smoked paprika to give it an even smokier flavour.
The equipment you need:
- Either a high speed blender such as a Vitamix (this is the one that I have and love) or an immersion blender.
How to make this recipe:
You will love how easy this sauce is to make!
Step one: first, put all the ingredients into your Vitamix or other high speed blender (you could also use a food processor for this) and blend well until smooth.
Step two: then transfer the sauce to a pot and bring the ingredients to a boil. Turn down the heat and let the sauce simmer for about 10-15 minutes, until it reaches the thickness that you like.
How to make this sauce using an immersion blender:
If you don’t have a high speed blender you can use an immersion blender instead!
- First, place all the ingredients into a pot and bring them to a boil. Then turn down the heat and let everything simmer for 10-15 minutes
- Allow the ingredients to cool for a few minutes, and then using your immersion blender, blend everything until it’s smooth.
Chef’s tips:
- If you can’t find plain tomato sauce, simply puree some tomatoes in a blender or food processor instead.
- To ensure this is Whole30 compliant, make sure you read the label of your Dijon mustard to ensure it doesn’t have any ingredients that are not Whole30 safe.
- Feel free to double or triple this recipe to make a larger batch of sauce.
Variations and add ins:
- If you like a sweeter bbq sauce, add a few extra dates.
- If you can’t find coconut vinegar use balsamic vinegar or apple cider vinegar instead.
- Instead of paprika, try using smoked paprika to give it a slightly different flavour.
- If you like a thinner sauce, add a bit more tomato sauce to the recipe or even a bit of water.
How to use bbq sauce:
- As a topping for meat dishes like steaks, ribs, roasts, chicken and burgers!
- As a topping for roasted vegetables.
- To make my Whole30 Blueberry Meatloaf (yes trust me, blueberries taste amazing in meatloaf!).
- To make bbq chicken wings.
- As a dip for French fries, roasted potatoes or potato wedges.
- To make my bbq air fryer ribs!
How to store:
- Store this sauce in an airtight container or jar in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
Frequently asked questions:
Can I make this recipe without dates?
I don’t recommend it. The dates add natural sweetness to this recipe and also help thicken this barbecue sauce.
Can I make this recipe with ketchup?
You could! Simply swap the tomato sauce and tomato paste for ketchup. Just be sure the ketchup you choose is Whole30 compliant as most brands are not. My favourite Whole30 compliant ketchup is made by Primal Kitchen.
Is barbecue sauce Whole30 approved?
Most brands of store-bought barbecue sauce are not Whole30 approved as most contain sugar or other ingredients which are not Whole30 compliant. There are a few brands including Primal Kitchen which do make Whole30 approved bbq sauce, so be sure you are reading labels carefully.
Other sauces and dip recipes you will love:
- Whole30 Guacamole
- Easy Whole30 Mayonnaise
- Whole30 Carrot Dip
- Whole30 Sour Cream
- Vegan Cilantro Lime Dressing
- Walnut Vinaigrette
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Whole30 BBQ Sauce (paleo, vegan)
This is the best Whole30 bbq sauce. It's slightly sweet with just a little spice it's easy to make with dates, coconut aminos and spices. It's also paleo and vegan!
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup plain tomato sauce or pureed tomatoes
- 1/2 cup tomato paste
- 8 dates (pits removed)
- 3 tbsp coconut aminos
- 3 tbsp coconut vinegar
- 1 tbsp dijon mustard
- 1 tsp sea salt
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
Instructions
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Add all the ingredients to your Vitamix or other high speed blender and blend well until smooth
-
Transfer the sauce to a small pot and turn the burner to medium heat
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Bring the sauce to a boil and turn the heat down to low
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Simmer for 10-15 minutes, until it reaches the thickness you desire
Recipe Notes
- Store this sauce in the fridge for up to 2 weeksÂ
- If you don’t have coconut vinegar substitute with apple cider vinegar insteadÂ
- Feel free to make a double batch so that this sauce lasts longerÂ
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