Vegan BBQ Sauce

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Why buy BBQ sauce when you can make this homemade vegan BBQ sauce in minutes? This one is made with ingredients you probably already have in your pantry, and is perfect on tofu, soy curls, tempeh, burgers, and more!

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I was writing up my BBQ Tofu recipe, and realized that this BBQ sauce is a great recipe of its own. It’s great on so many things!

You may be wondering, if you can go to the store and buy BBQ sauce, why would you want to make your own? Sure it’s easy to pick up a bottle of sauce at the grocery store but I love making my own condiments, and there are several reasons to make this easy sauce yourself.

Many BBQ sauces contain honey or Worcestershire sauce, making them non-vegan. Were you aware that most Worcestershire sauces contain anchovies? Annies and Kroger brands do not. Most BBQ sauces also contain high fructose corn syrup and preservatives. Making your own BBQ sauce allows you to control the ingredients and make sure it is vegan and healthy.

Homemade BBQ sauce is also cheaper than the better brands of barbecue sauce. Some of them can be several dollars a bottle.

But the best reason to make your own barbecue sauce, is that it tastes great! And you can customize the recipe to make it as sweet, tangy, smoky, or spicy as you like.

Ingredients in this Vegan BBQ Sauce

There are several ingredients in this sauce, but I’m fairly sure that you already have most of them in your pantry.

• Ketchup – Organic, or at least free of high fructose corn syrup
• Apple cider vinegar for that tangy taste
• Maple Syrup – you can substitute this with brown sugar, date syrup, or a sweetener of your choice
• Molasses – for depth of flavor
• Vegan Worcestershire sauce for umami flavor
• Onion powder & garlic powder
• Smoked paprika & liquid smoke
• Cayenne pepper – for spice. Feel free to increase or decrease the amount according to your taste preference.

How to make this sauce

Combine all the ingredients in a small saucepan and whisk until well combined.

Heat over medium heat until it comes to a simmer. Reduce head and simmer for 5 minutes. If you want a thicker sauce, you can simmer a little longer.

Transfer the sauce to a jar or bottle and store in the refrigerator for up to 10 days. I like to store my sauce in a mason jar with one of a plastic lid. These lids are not as leak proof as the metal lids, and rings, but they don’t rust like the metal rings often do.

Ways to use this Homemade Vegan BBQ Sauce

Use this sauce anywhere you would use BBQ Sauce. It’s great on tofu, tempeh, soy curls, and veggie burgers. Or maybe on portobello mushrooms or jackfruit. How about using it as a dipping sauce for these Waffle Fries? It would also be delicious on pizza!

Variations

• Sweeteners – Use more or less, depending on how sweet you want your barbecue sauce to be. You can use a different sweetener if you like – brown sugar, organic white sugar, coconut sugar, or dates can be used.
• Spice – increase or decrease the amount of spice to your taste preference. Instead of cayenne pepper, try Sriracha sauce.
• If you want a thicker sauce, simmer it a bit longer, or add a thickener like corn starch or arrowroot powder.

Other tasty condiments and sauces

• Tahini Sauce
• Savory Garlic Dressing
• Vegan Pesto
• Teriyaki Sauce
• Vegan Honey Mustard Dressing
• Roasted Garlic Hummus
• Vegan Enchilada Sauce
• Cashew Cheese Sauce
• Vegan Sour Cream
• Vegan Hollandaise Sauce
• Creamy Italian Dressing

Share in the comments your favorite ways to enjoy BBQ sauce.

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Nutrition calculations are approximate.