Description

This homemade BBQ sauce recipe is easy to make, in just 25 minutes! It’s deep and smoky, tangy, sweet with a little bit of heat. Vegan, gluten-free adaptable!

Ingredients

Units

1–2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 cup shallots (or sub 1 cup red onion) finely diced
4 garlic cloves
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme (or oregano)
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon garlic powder
6-ounce can of tomato paste
1 cup stock or broth ( or water plus a boullion cube)
1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
1/4 cup soy sauce or Braggs Liquid Amino Acid ( GF)
1/3 cup molasses or maple syrup
1/4 cup coconut sugar (or brown sugar, or other sugar alternative)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pepper
Optional additions: chipotle powder, cayenne, adobo sauce from canned chipotles, liquid smoke

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Instructions

Finely chop shallot and garlic, or mince in a food processor.
Heat oil over medium heat in a medium saucepan. Add shallot and garlic and sauté, and stir continuously for 3-4 minutes. Turn heat down to medium-low, and cook until they are deeply golden, fragrant and softened, 5 more minutes.
Add thyme, smoked paprika, and garlic powder, and tomato paste and saute one minute to brown the tomato paste (this adds depth). Add broth, vinegar, soy sauce, and scrape up any browned bits. Add molasses, brown sugar, salt and pepper.
Simmer gently, uncovered, for 10-ish minutes, letting it reduce slightly, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened.
Taste. Adjust salt, vinegar and sweetness to your liking. If it lacks depth, add salt, more soy sauce, or even a little miso paste. More brown sugar to taste.
To add smoky heat, add a little chipotle powder to taste, or the adobo sauce from canned chipotle peppers one tablespoon at a time, or cayenne to taste.
Optional: For extra smoky, add liquid smoke, ¼ teaspoon at a time to desired effect. (I usually add 1 teaspoon)
Store in a sealed jar in the fridge.

Notes

Keeps up to 2 months in the fridge and makes a great hostess gift.

Molasses really adds a beautiful deep color here.

Taste Test: If you have a favorite brand or BBQ sauce, I highly recommend this practice- taste them side by side, and see if you can get this recipe to match the one you love. Take some notes! This practice helps to really hone your taste buds.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 2 tablespoons
Calories: 59
Sugar: 10.8 g
Sodium: 295.6 mg
Fat: 1 g
Saturated Fat: 0.1 g
Carbohydrates: 12.1 g
Fiber: 0.7 g
Protein: 1 g
Cholesterol: 0 mg