Low Carb BBQ Sauce- Keto Friendly

This is my most requested recipe yet! Enjoy the summer (or any day really) with our low carb BBQ sauce recipe that is keto friendly and refined sugar free. Only 2 net carbs per serving compared to 18 in the store bought. A little sweet and a little smokey, perfectly balanced keto barbecue sauce.

a mason jar of low carb BBQ sauce on a table with meat skewers.

Low Carb BBQ Sauce

Refined Sugar Free and Keto Friendly

It is that time of year again!  Warm weather, school is coming to an end, family get-together's and of course BBQ's. Grilling is my favorite way of cooking. During the season I really don't think I turn the stove on, except for breakfast or rainy days. When I switched to a low carb lifestyle I was nervous that I would have to give up Barbecue sauce.  The carb count is SO HIGH!

Sugar Free BBQ Sauce Recipe

After examining the labels of every single Barbecue sauce in the local stores and pricing low carb options online; I decided not to settle or go broke trying to find the perfect barbecue sauce for my low carb life. Realizing there were few changes to make this keto and low carb approved, I decided to make my own Barbecue sauce. My sugar free BBQ sauce recipe is refined sugar free and versatile, allowing you to choose what brand sweetener to use.  It is a combination of sweet & smokey with just a hint of spice.  It can be easily customized to fit your favorite flavor profile. See notes below*

a mason jar full of sugar free BBQ sauce on a decorated table.

What Sweetener To Use for Keto BBQ Sauce

For this keto friendly low carb BBQ sauce recipe we chose to use Lakanto brand gold sweetener. Lakanto is a brand of monkfruit based sweetener and products. I use a variety of sweetener brands and types in my recipes, it really depends on what it is. A lot of kitchen testing goes in to selecting the right type. For this sauce we felt the Lakanto Gold, brown sugar substitute, tasted best, however you can use whatever you like. 

low carb keto bbq sauce.

Making Our Low Carb BBQ Sauce

Makes about 1 pint. Serving Size about 2 tablespoons.

  • ¼ cup Lakanto Gold brown sugar substitute OR sweetener of your choice 
  • ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
  • ¼ cup white vinegar
  • ½ cup water
  • 2 tablespoons real butter
  • 1 can tomato paste
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon dry yellow mustard
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon liquid smoke (optional)

a wooden cutting board with masons jars of sauce.

Instructions 

  1. In a sauce pan over medium heat, add sweetener, vinegars and water. Mix until sweetener is dissolved.
  2. Add tomato paste and remaining ingredients. Stir until fully combined. Bring to a boil, reduce to simmer.
  3. Let simmer about 15 minutes to incorporate all ingredients and build flavor. Flavor will come through the longer the BBQ sauce simmers and/or sets in the fridge. 

RECIPE NOTES*

  • If you like a thinner sauce, add a touch more water until desired texture is reached.
  • If you like a more bitter sauce, add a little more vinegar.
  • Go easy with the liquid smoke, a little goes a long way!
  • This recipe is very easily adaptable to different sweeteners. Using a white sweetener will result in a sauce that is more red in color.
  • The butter makes a nice glossy finish and helps the sauce adhere to whatever you brush it on.

Store in pint sized mason jar refrigerated for up to 2 weeks. Mix well before using. 

mason jars on a cutting board.

Try our low carb BBQ sauce with pulled pork on our KETO FATHEAD ROLLS !

ham slider roll sandwiches with lettuce on a wire rack.

 

low carb bbq sauce

Like our Keto and Low Carb Facebook page!

 

Recipes for using This Sauce

Keto Chicken Tenders dip them in this BBQ sauce!

Drizzle it over our Keto Nacho Chicken

Jambalaya Stuffed Peppers

Crunchy Air Frier Keto Avocado Fries for dipping

low carb keto bbq sauce.

Low Carb BBQ Sauce- Keto Friendly

Yield: 1 pint
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes

Our most requested low carb keto friendly recipe yet!

Ingredients

  • ¼ cup Sukrin Gold brown sugar substitute OR sweetener of your choice
  • ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
  • ¼ cup white vinegar
  • ½ cup water
  • 2 tablespoons real butter
  • 1 can tomato paste- 6 oz 
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon dry yellow mustard
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper, optional
  • 1 teaspoon liquid smoke, optional

Instructions

  1. In a sauce pan over medium, add sweetener, vinegars and water. Mix until sweetener is dissolved.
  2. Add tomato paste and remaining ingredients. Stir until fully combined. Bring to a boil, reduce to simmer.
  3. Let simmer about 15 minutes to incorporate all ingredients and build flavor.
  4. NOTES*
  5. If you like a thinner sauce, add a touch more water until desired thickness is reached.
  6. If you like a more sour sauce, add a little more vinegar.
  7. Go easy with the liquid smoke, a little goes a long way!
  8. This recipe is very easily adaptable to different sweeteners. Using a white sweetener will result in a sauce that is more red in color.
  9. The butter makes a nice glossy finish and helps the sauce adhere to whatever you brush it on.
  10. Store in pint sized mason jar refrigerated for up to 2 weeks.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 32 Serving Size: 1 Tbsp
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 18Total Fat: 1gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCarbohydrates: 2gFiber: 0gProtein: 0g

Nutrition facts are auto- populated by the app for this recipe card, numbers may vary. For best results, input your exact brand ingredients into a recipe analyzer like Verywell or MyFitnessPal.

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9 thoughts on “Low Carb BBQ Sauce- Keto Friendly”

  1. The only thing I did different was to sub-out the liquid smoke for smoked paprika! Perfect! Thank you for this keto friendly recipe!

    Reply
  2. The recipe was very easy. The consistency was perfect. It had too much vinegar taste for my taste, so I had to add more sweetener. I used chili powder in place of cayenne. I felt it still needed a little something, so I added 1 tsp worcestershire sauce. The end result tasted like my Mom's recipe that I grew up on, but only healthier. Thank you for this recipe. I will be using this again.

    Reply
    • Sorry tom, our stores around here only carry one size so we didn't think to add that.
      I believe it is 6 oz.

      Reply
  3. OH MY GOSH, THIS STUFF IS SO GOOD! I added just a splash more liquid smoke. This beats ANY BBQ sauce I have bought from a store. Thank you!!

    Reply
  4. Instead of liquid smoke I used an imported smoked paprika, otherwise the rest of the recipe was identical.

    AMAZING! Kicks a bit at the back of the throat and a deliciousness lingers. Topping my pulled pork with this tonight. Not going to tell anyone it's keto.

    Reply

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