An easy recipe for sweet and spicy homemade barbecue sauce that’s allergy friendly and perfect for all your barbecue needs! This simple sauce is delicious on chicken, pork, or beef.
Imagine that you’re having a backyard barbecue, and you need to run to the store to grab some barbecue sauce. You run into the store, head down the aisle, and see that your favorite store-bought brand – the one that works for your dietary needs – is out of stock.
Ugh! Don’t you hate that?
You look at all the other options, but there are just so many, and who knows for sure if they’re totally safe for your family. You’d need to call the company to be sure, and who’s going to answer the phone on a weekend?
The trouble with store-bought condiments like barbecue sauce is that even if they don’t contain common allergens, they may be manufactured in a facility or on the same lines as those allergens.
Or store-bought brands may contain other ingredients that you just don’t want to consume – things like high fructose corn syrup, MSG, or propylene glycol.
You need a great recipe for homemade barbecue sauce that’s delicious, easy to make, and allergy friendly.
This is the only recipe you need for homemade barbecue sauce. This spicy sweet barbecue sauce is full of flavor, made with natural ingredients, and just delicious on chicken, pork, or beef.
And the best part is, it’s really easy to make your own barbecue sauce. You can control the spice level, too, which is nice, especially if you’re making it for your kids.
You can also experiment with this recipe. You can add some smoked paprika or try honey instead of maple syrup. This sauce is easy to make, flavorful, and fast – you’ll be ready to serve this in about 15 minutes. Perfect for last minute get-togethers!
How to make homemade barbecue sauce:
- Gather your allergy friendly ingredients. (Always call to check to make sure brands are safe for your particular needs).
- Place the tomato sauce, spices, maple syrup, vinegar, and garlic in the pan. Bring to a simmer.
- Simmer for about 15 minutes, to blend the flavors.
- Use on your favorite meat on the grill! Enjoy.
Is barbecue sauce gluten free?
This homemade barbecue sauce is naturally gluten free. If you’re buying BBQ sauce from the store, you will need to be careful. Gluten can hide in ingredients like starch or other thickeners.
How to use this homemade BBQ sauce:
If you’re grilling meat, cook the meat until it’s just about done, then baste with the sauce, and continue to grill for another 10 minutes or so. Make sure the meat reaches the proper internal temperature before eating.
This sauce would also be delicious in these barbecue chicken quesadillas.
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.
Recipe
Spicy Sweet Homemade Barbecue Sauce.
Ingredients
- 15 ounces tomato sauce
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- ¾ Tablespoon cumin
- 1 Tablespoon onion powder
- ¾ Tablespoon chili powder increase if desired
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 Tablespoon brown sugar
- ¼ cup maple syrup
- 3 Tablespoons apple cider vinegar
Instructions
- Pour the tomato sauce into a sauce pan and heat over medium heat. Add all other ingredients.
- Bring to a simmer and cook for about 15 minutes to let the flavors blend.
- Use immediately or cool and refrigerate. Sauce will last in the refrigerator for five days. You should be able to freeze it if desired.
Notes
Nutrition
This post was originally published in February 2017. It has been updated with new photos and tips.
Carol Credit
delicious!!!!
Darryl
Awesome barbecue sauce, great on everything
Julia Mueller
Barbecue sauce is probably my favorite sauce EVAH, and I only make it homemade anymore. I’m definitely going to be trying your sauce – I love that it’s free of the top 8 allergens!!
Kelly Roenicke
Thanks, Julia!
Beth
Thank you! We have this problem at my house. My husband will love you forever for posting this.
Kelly Roenicke
Oh good! Hope you love it! :)