Learn how to make Gluten-Free BBQ Sauce in as little as 15 minutes! It is so simple and takes BBQ recipes to the next level with some pantry items you probably already have on-hand.
Try my Chimichurri Sauce, this Italian Dressing, or Fish Taco Sauce next for another delicious topping or marinade for your next meal.
Quick Look
- 🕒 Prep Time: 5 minutes
- 🌡️ Cook Time: 10 minutes
- ⏳ Total Time: 15 minutes
- 🍽️ Serving: 16
- ⚡ Calories: 63kcal per serving
- 🥣 Ingredients: 13 pantry staples, no Worcestershire sauce and no wheat thickener
- 🌶️ Flavor Profile: Zesty, sweet and savory with liquid smoke carrying a charcoal grill taste
- ✋ Difficulty: One pot, boil then simmer 5 minutes
Quick Answer
Quick answers are Yes, and No. The gluten-free status of BBQ sauce depends on its ingredients and how it's made. Many commercially available BBQ sauces are gluten-free, but it's crucial to check the label or product information to confirm. Some BBQ sauces can have gluten-containing ingredients such as soy, and cross-contamination during processing in a factory that processes gluten containing products. Most traditional barbecue sauces are made with Worcestershire sauce, which contains wheat and soy, and some also use wheat flour as a thickening agent. To ensure a BBQ sauce is gluten-free, read the ingredient list carefully, look for gluten-free certifications on the label, and check for any allergen information provided by the manufacturer. If uncertain, contacting the manufacturer directly can provide more detailed information about their production processes and any potential risk of cross-contamination.
Jump to:
From a summer backyard barbecue with baby-back-ribs to homestyle comfort food in the winter like Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken, this gluten free BBQ sauce is a favorite recipe I know you will love!
It is great to have this recipe for when you are in the middle of wanting BBQ, and don't have a bottle rattling in the refrigerator door. Use it for meats, as a replacement for tomato sauce like on this Cauliflower Crust Pizza, or to soak in Vegan Pulled Pork. The zesty sweet and savory flavors in this sauce are sure to make the dish delicious!
Why This Sauce Works
Click to see why this stays gluten-free
- Tamari replaces the Worcestershire. Most store-bought condiments and traditional barbecue sauce contain soy, Worcestershire sauce, and flours to thicken the sauce making them not gluten-free. Tamari soy sauce is just made with soy, no wheat, so it adds the savory depth without the gluten.
- Coconut aminos are the backup. Trader Joe's has this too, and it does the same job as tamari for anyone avoiding soy altogether.
- Nothing thickens it but reduction. There is no wheat flour in here. The sauce thickens because it boils and then simmers for 5 minutes.
- Liquid smoke stands in for the grill. It adds a twist of satisfying smoky aromas and taste, that when added to food gives it a charcoal grill taste.
- Molasses and coconut sugar do the sweetening. Together they give the sauce its dark color and the sweet half of sweet and savory.
- Lemon juice and apple cider vinegar bring the zest. A quarter cup of each is what keeps 2 cups of ketchup from tasting flat.
Why You'll Love This BBQ Sauce
- It's Gluten-Free and Allergy-Friendly! This gluten-free BBQ sauce caters to food allergies like Celiac Disease, wheat, and gluten intolerances. This recipe ensures you and your family are safe if gluten is an issue!
- Quick and easy. Mix the ingredients in a pot, bring it to a boil, then simmer for 5 minutes. There have been moments when we are making pizza (and my youngest son only eats his with BBQ sauce) where I realize the condiment in the fridge is nearly empty. This recipe comes together fast and I usually end up making it on a whim for moments like this!
- Smoky flavor you'll love. This recipe calls for liquid smoke, which adds a twist of satisfying smoky aromas and taste.
- 63 calories a serving, and the batch makes 16.
- It keeps for a month in the refrigerator in a sealed glass jar.
- Double the batch and save extra for this easy Barbeque Chicken Stuffed Spaghetti Squash.
Key Ingredients
- The base - ketchup (I suggest using organic which does not have hydrogenated corn syrup or one that specifically says without it), liquid smoke, molasses, water, and tamari soy sauce, which is a gluten-free version.
- Spices - ginger, onion, allspice, black pepper and dry mustard.
- Extra flavor - lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, and coconut sugar.
- Coconut aminos - the swap for tamari if you avoid soy. Trader Joe's has this too.
Full ingredients and instructions are in the recipe card below.
How to Get a Smoky BBQ Sauce Flavor
You can have a smoky flavor in homemade barbeque sauce without the grill using Natural Liquid Smoke.
- Liquid smoke is the whole trick. One tablespoon is where that smoky flavor comes from, making this an important ingredient. You get so much BBQ flavor with or without a grill!
- The pan matters less than you think. This is a similar Stainless Steel Cookware Set, close to what I have and use in this recipe for mixing. I have had it for over 15 years and love it! Without the whole set you can just use a small saucepan like this one.
- Whisk, do not stir. Here's a three-pack of great whisks to use for mixing your gluten-free barbeque sauce.
How to Make Gluten-Free BBQ Sauce
Full ingredients and instructions are in the recipe card below.
1Combine and boil. Add all the ingredients to a pot on the stove and mix well, heating on high until it starts to boil.
2Simmer and thicken. When it boils, turn the heat to low, whisk the ingredients together and simmer for 5 minutes or until it starts to thicken. Continue to stir the sauce, ensuring it does not burn.
3Cool and store. Turn the heat off and let it cool for 10 minutes or completely before storing it. Store the barbeque sauce in the refrigerator in a sealed glass jar or airtight container for up to 1 month.
That's it, so easy!
As always, be sure to check out the full recipe details in the recipe card below.
Expert Tips
- Keep stirring while it thickens. Continue to stir the sauce until it thickens, ensuring it does not burn.
- Buy organic ketchup. I suggest using one which does not have hydrogenated corn syrup, or one that specifically says without it.
- Read the tamari label too. Tamari is made with soy and no wheat, but confirm the bottle says gluten-free, and use coconut aminos if you avoid soy entirely.
- Let it cool before it goes in the jar. Ten minutes, or completely, before storing it.
- Glass, not plastic. Store the sauce in a sealed glass jar in the refrigerator for up to 1 month.
- Double it. A double batch covers a pizza night and a crockpot BBQ chicken later in the week.
Barbecue, Barbeque or BBQ
No matter how you say it, barbecue, barbeque, BBQ or barby for an informal shortened version, they are all valid terms for this gluten-free barbeque sauce recipe. Barbecue is a cooking method over a grill or indirect heat, and the food is flavored by a higher heat smoking process.
Lots of times the meat, such as steak, chicken, pork or ribs, is marinated in a barbecue sauce recipe first. The smoked flavor happens during the grilling.
Since we want to get that smoky flavor, the addition of liquid smoke is where that smoky flavor comes from, making this an important ingredient. You get so much BBQ flavor with or without a grill!
Gluten-Free BBQ Sauce FAQs
When looking for gluten free BBQ sauce, read the labels carefully. If it is gluten free it will specifically say gluten-free on the label, and the ingredients will not contain any gluten or wheat related ingredients.
Yes, as most traditional barbecue sauces are made with Worcestershire sauce, which contains wheat and soy. Some sauces also have wheat flours as a thickening agent so always read labels carefully or make this homemade BBQ sauce.
Tamari soy sauce, which is just made with soy and no wheat, or coconut aminos. Both add the savory flavor without the gluten, and Trader Joe's carries coconut aminos.
Let it cool first, then store the barbeque sauce in the refrigerator in a sealed glass jar for 1 month.
Liquid smoke. One tablespoon is where that smoky flavor comes from, and it gives food a charcoal grill taste with or without a grill.
Use it for meats, as a replacement for tomato sauce on cauliflower crust pizza, to soak into vegan pulled pork, for slow cooker BBQ chicken, and for barbecue chicken stuffed spaghetti squash.
Recipes to Use Gluten-Free BBQ Sauce
Use it on these: Cauliflower Crust BBQ Chicken Pizza, Jackfruit Pulled Pork, Crockpot BBQ Chicken and Barbecue Chicken Stuffed Spaghetti Squash. You may also enjoy my Easy 5-Minute Enchilada Sauce, Chimichurri Sauce and Cucumber Salad. I hope you enjoy this gluten-free BBQ sauce! Follow along with me on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, YouTube and Twitter for a feature and more recipe inspiration! And don't forget to leave a comment below!
Gluten-Free BBQ Sauce Recipe
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Ingredients
- 2 cups organic ketchup (make sure it is gluten-free)
- ¼ cup lemon juice
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
- ¼ cup coconut sugar
- ¼ cup water
- ¼ cup molasses
- 2 tablespoons tamari soy sauce or coconut aminos
- 1 tablespoon natural liquid smoke
- 1 tablespoon dry mustard
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon all spice
Instructions
- Add all the ingredients in a pot on the stove and heat on high until it starts to boil. When it boils, turn the heat to low, whisk the ingredients together and simmer for 5 minutes or until it starts to thicken.
- Turn the heat off and let it cool for 10 minutes or completely before storing it. Store in the refrigerator in an airtight container or jar for up to 1 month.
Sarah Quinn says
Is there any sub for molasses?
Danielle Fahrenkrug says
You can replace it with maple syrup in equal amount.