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Make homemade Whole30 BBQ Sauce in 15 minutes with simple ingredients. This sweet and smoky condiment is paleo, vegan and made without any added sugars.

whole30 bbq sauce in a mason jar with a spoon
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Why This Whole30 BBQ Sauce Is So Good

The secret ingredient that makes this sauce so delicious is the sweetness and texture that comes from the soaked dates. They add whole30 approved sweetness to the sauce and help make it thicker like store bought sauce. Additionally, I love to use smoked paprika to really make it taste authentic.

Ingredient Notes

  • Tomato sauce: this is the base of the recipe that we’re using rather than store bought ketchup.
  • Tomato paste: this has intense tomatoflavor and really helps thicken the sauce.
  • Apple cider vinegar: I love the tang in a good BBQ sauce and you get that from a hearty amount of vinegar to balance out the sweetness and smoky flavor.
  • Pitted dates: the secret ingredients to thicken and sweeten this sauce.
  • Coconut aminos: we’re using this as a substitute to soy sauce, which contains gluten and is not whole30 approved.
  • Spices: garlic powder, onion powder, ground mustard, smoked paprika, kosher salt and pepper.
ingredients for whole30 bbq sauce

How To Make Whole30 BBQ Sauce

Simmer the ingredients

  1. Add all of the ingredients to a medium saucepan over medium heat and stir well to combine. Bring the mixture a boil then turn the heat down to medium-low and simmer for 10-15 minutes, until the mixture reduces slightly and the dates soften.
whole30 bbq sauce ingredients in a sauce pan
add ingredients to a saucepan
whole30 bbq sauce cooked in a saucepan
simmer for 10 minutes

Blend until smooth

  1. Carefully transfer the whole30 BBQ sauce to a high-powered blender like a Vitamix and blend until smooth.
  2. You can also use an immersion blender. Be careful not to splash any steaming sauce out of the pan.
  3. Use the sauce immediately or store in an air tight container, like a mason jar, in the fridge  for up to 2 weeks.
whole30 bbq sauce recipe in a blender
blend until smooth
an immersion blender mixing whole30 bbq sauce until smooth
you can also use an immersion blender

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FAQs

How long does homemade BBQ sauce keep?

It will last in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. You can also store it in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Is BBQ sauce Whole30 approved?

Traditional store bought BBQ sauce is not whole30 approved because it includes added sugars and sometimes gluten. Typically store bought sauces aren’t recommended in general because whole30 wants to emphasize whole, simple ingredients.

Is Primal Kitchen BBQ Sauce Whole30 approved?

This brand is one of our favorites for mayo and salad dressings when we want something quick. The ingredients their bbq sauce are whole30 approved, however, whole30 does encourage you to make sauces at home, like this whole30 barbecue sauce!

What to Serve with Whole30 BBQ Sauce

whole30 bbq sauce covering pulled pork in a bowl

More whole30 sauces

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5 from 2 votes

Whole30 BBQ Sauce

Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 10 minutes
Total: 15 minutes
Make homemade Whole30 BBQ Sauce in 15 minutes with simple ingredients. This sweet and smoky condiment is paleo, vegan and made without any added sugars.
opened jar of whole 30 bbq sauce on a cutting board
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Molly Thompson

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Molly Thompson
Servings: 2 cups

Ingredients

  • 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce or whole30 approved ketchup (like Primal Kitchen)
  • 3 ounces (about half a small can) tomato paste
  • 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 6 pitted dates
  • 1/2 cup coconut aminos
  • 3 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 2 teaspoons onion powder
  • 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground mustard
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  • a pinch of cayenne pepper for spice optional

Instructions 

  • Add all of the ingredients to a medium saucepan over medium-high heat and stir well to combine. Bring the mixture to a boil then cover with a lid and turn the heat down to low and simmer for 10-15 minutes, until the the sauce reduces slightly and the dates soften.
  • Carefully transfer to a high-speed blender and blend on high until smooth. You can add water a tablespoon at a time if you feel like it's too thick. An immersion blender is another option to blend if you have one, but I recommend using a high-powered blender like a Vitamix.
  • Use the sauce immediately or store in an air tight container, like a mason jar, for up to 2 weeks.
Last step! If you make this, please leave a review letting us know how it was!

Notes

Storage instructions: Store in an air tight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. You can also store it in the freezer for up to 3 months. Allow it to thaw overnight and blend again if needed.

Video

Equipment

  • High Speed Blender or Immersion Blender

Nutrition

Serving: 2tablespoons | Calories: 53kcal | Carbohydrates: 12.9g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 0mg | Sodium: 196.6mg | Fiber: 1.6g | Sugar: 7.8g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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5 from 2 votes (2 ratings without comment)

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1 Comment

  1. viviana says:

    I followed the instructions for this and for some reason mine tastes too much like apple cider vinegar. 🙁 I didn’t like the taste of the bbq sauce.

    Reply