Show-stopping sauce – spicy BBQ coming to a kitchen near you!
Table of Contents
I am no expert when it comes to matters of the grill. Don’t get me wrong I love an open fire flame and grill marks on my food any day, but it’s just not something I have made much time to do. I have, however, crafted countless dressings, sauces and creamy seasonings over the years and know a tasty sauce when one comes across! The best ones are the sauces that can shapeshift and mix well with other mains. Ones that warm up a cook like me to experiment and play. Ones that can complement both a fish and a veggie. I love, love, love inclusive sauces because they are oh-so useful, especially on those busy, tired nights when cooking can be a fight.
Is Spicy BBQ Sauce Healthy?
This recipe was designed as a healthy replacement for a regular BBQ sauce and is vegan, gluten-free and paleo-friendly! It is MUCH better for you than store-bought equivalents because it’s made fresh and has no refined sugar or trans-fats and is low in calories. And the best part is you don’t have to settle when it comes to the taste. This Spicy BBQ recipe is bold, sweet and tangy! As always high quality ingredients are key to elevating the taste and nutritious value of any recipe. I like to replace the ketchup with some diced cherry tomatoes and tomato paste, making it even lower in sodium.
Swap the brown sugar for just about anything sweet.
I try to avoid cooking with refined sugar at all costs, and whenever I can, I prefer to use natural sweeteners. Raw, unprocessed honey contains a variety of nutrients, it’s rich in antioxidants and is great for blood pressure and cholesterol management. That’s why it’s one of my favorite ingredients to swap in when recipes call for sugar. For those of you on a keto diet or monitoring blood sugar levels, you can always use a monk fruit sweetener which has a lower glycemic index and is suitable for diabetic individuals as well. Maple syrup and coconut sugar are also great substitutes and come in close second… trailing right behind the honey.
INGREDIENTS
- 1 cup ketchup
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 cup molasses
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon hot sauce
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
INSTRUCTIONS
Combine
Mix all sauce ingredients in a saucepan.
Simmer
Cook mixture over medium heat, stirring occasionally.
Thicken
Allow the sauce to thicken and flavors to meld.
Devour!
FAQs & Tips
This sauce is best stored in a mason jar in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. For longer storage, you can freeze it for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to use it, just defrost in the fridge overnight.
If blending is not an option, mince onions and garlic very fine, or use a box grater for the onion, to minimize any texture differences.
For those of you who enjoy a moderate spice level, jalapeño peppers are great! But if you want to turn the heat up opt for serrano peppers. And if you REALLY want to level up… go for ghost peppers.
Serving Suggestions
An all-purpose sauce great on pork, chicken, and much more! It’s a hard recipe to beat and great to keep on hand for dunking veggies, fries and chicken tenders in.
If you’re going the meaty route, I’d suggest potatoes as a side that will never lead you astray! Check out the Garlic Mashed Potatoes or these Crispy Fried Potatoes.
Spicy BBQ Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 cup ketchup
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 cup molasses
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon hot sauce
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
-
In a medium saucepan, combine ketchup, apple cider vinegar, molasses, brown sugar, hot sauce, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, cayenne pepper, and salt.
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Place the saucepan over medium heat and whisk the ingredients together until fully combined.
-
Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.
Nutrition
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