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    Home » Recipes » Dips and Sauces

    Sweet and Tangy Vegan BBQ Sauce (No Ketchup)

    Published on June 4, 2022. Last updated on August 7, 2022 by Gina Marie 24 Comments

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    This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

    Jump to Recipe

    This Vegan BBQ Sauce has the perfect taste profile of sweet and tangy. It is super easy to make and is ready in less than 30 minute!

    BBQ sauce in a pan with wooden ladle

    Just like my Mango BBQ Sauce recipe, this easy Vegan BBQ recipe is super easy and quick to make. You will never want to buy store bought BBQ sauce again!

    It is perfect to use on vegan weight gain recipes like my vegan ribs, vegan lentil meatballs, vegan lentil loaf, and even as a dipping sauce for fried oyster mushrooms!

    photo of BBQ sauce ingredients

    The 5 Components of a Good Barbecue Sauce

    1. Tomato Base

    This can be anything from...

    • tomato paste
    • tomato puree
    • ketchup

    Typically ketchup is used for homemade BBQ sauces. For this recipe, I used tomato puree to control the amount of sugar in the sauce. Be sure to use tomato puree and NOT tomato sauce used for pasta.

    2 grid photo showing the difference between tomato puree and tomato sauce

    2. Vinger

    This is the tangy component to a good barbecue sauce. You can use...

    • white vinegar
    • apple cider vinegar
    • mustard (has vinegar in it)

    3. Sweetener

    The amount of sweetener you use will largely depend on how sweet you desire your barbecue sauce and what flavors you desire. You can use a combination of...

    • brown sugar
    • molasses
    • maple syrup
    • agave nectar
    • coconut nectar
    • Bee Free Honey
    • sugar-free alternatives like monk fruit, stevia, erythritol

    4. Spices and Flavors

    Again this will largely depend on your flavor profile and how spicy you like your BBQ Sauce. Typical spices include ...

    • chill powder
    • cumin
    • liquid smoke
    • garlic powder (or chopped fresh garlic or minced dried garlic)
    • onion powder (or chopped fresh onions or minced dried onion)
    • cayenne pepper
    • Vegan Worcestershire Sauce

    5. Extras

    And lastly, if you want your BBQ Sauce to stand out, you can add some fruit to it! You can use...

    • apricots
    • blueberries
    • strawberries
    • pineapples
    • peaches
    • lemon juice (for even more tanginess)

    How to Thicken BBQ Sauce

    There are many ways to thicken BBQ sauce. With this vegan bbq sauce recipe, it thickens on its own because we are using tomato puree for the base. To read more about other ways to thicken your BBQ sauce check out How to Thicken BBQ Sauce.

    How to Make Homemade BBQ Sauce

    *Please read detailed and printable recipe card below for full ingredients and instructions.

    showing step 1 of tomato puree in a skillet
    STEP 1: Add tomato puree to your pan.
    step 2 showing bbq sauce ingredients in pan along with tomato puree
    STEP 2: Next, add sugar and spices to your pan.
    step 3 showing ingredients mixed in pan
    STEP 3: Mix all ingredients together.
    step 4 showing bbq sauce simmering thickening up
    STEP 4: Simmer on low till it thickens.
    step 5 showing bbq sauce being added into a jar
    STEP 5: Once done, add sauce to a jar for storage.
    step 6 showing BBQ brush dipped in BBQ sauce
    STEP 6: Dip and use on any vegan BBQ recipes!

    Substitution, Cook, and Storage Tips:

    • Be sure to refer to the notes above of The 5 Components of What BBQ Sauce is Made Of to jazz it up and make it your own. The steps are the same but you can mix and match the ingredients based on what you like and what you already have.
    • Adjust the number of spices and sweeteners to your liking. Add more sweeteners if you like it sweeter, spices if you like it hot, or mustard if you like it tangier. 
    • This recipe will keep in the refrigerator for 7-14 days in an air tight sealed jar. It can be frozen for up to 3 months. I like freezing them in portions using silicone ice cube trays.
    BBQ sauce being poured into a jar

    More BBQ Recipes

    • stove top baked beans
    • vegan stuffed sweet potatoes
    • soul food potato salad
    • vegan BBQ recipes

    WANT MORE? Subscribe to my newsletter and follow along on PINTEREST, FACEBOOK, and TWITTER for the latest updates!

    BBQ sauce in a pan with wooden ladle

    Vegan BBQ Sauce (No Ketchup)

    This Vegan BBQ Sauce has the perfect taste profile of sweet and tangy. It is super easy to make and is ready in less than 30 minute!
    5 from 8 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Sauces
    Cuisine: American, Vegan
    Keyword: Easy BBQ Sauce, Homemade BBQ Sauce, Vegan BBQ Sauce
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Cook Time: 20 minutes
    Total Time: 25 minutes
    Servings: 32 tablespoons
    Calories: 28kcal
    Author: Gina Marie

    Ingredients

    • 1 15 ounce canned tomato puree
    • ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
    • ¼ cup pineapple juice (or orange juice)
    • ¼ cup molasses
    • 2 tablespoons maple syrup
    • 1 tablespoon vegan Worcestershire sauce
    • ½ cup brown sugar
    • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
    • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
    • ¼ teaspoon onion powder
    US Customary - Metric

    Equipment

    Stir Fry Pan or Pot

    Instructions

    • Add all ingredients to a medium-sized pot. Bring to a simmer over medium-low heat, and continue simmering for 15 - 20 minutes.
    • Remove from heat and allow to cool. Place in an airtight container
    • Use on BBQ Lentil Meatballs, "Beefy" Lentil Loaf, or as a dipping sauce with my Fried Oyster Mushroom recipe!

    Video

    Notes

    SCROLL UP TO THE BLOG POST TO SEE STORAGE TIPS, MEAL PREP, AND MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS RECIPE!
    1. SAUCE COMPONENTS: Be sure to refer to the notes above in the blog post "The 5 Components of a Good Barbecue Sauce " to jazz it up to make this recipe how you desire it to be. 
    2. TOMATO PUREE: When choosing your tomato puree, I highly recommend the brand shown in the photo above for the smoothest texture. 

    Nutrition

    Nutrition Facts
    Vegan BBQ Sauce (No Ketchup)
    Amount Per Serving (2 tablespoons)
    Calories 28 Calories from Fat 9
    % Daily Value*
    Fat 1g2%
    Saturated Fat 1g6%
    Sodium 27mg1%
    Potassium 79mg2%
    Carbohydrates 7g2%
    Fiber 1g4%
    Sugar 6g7%
    Protein 1g2%
    Vitamin A 50IU1%
    Vitamin C 0.8mg1%
    Calcium 9mg1%
    Iron 0.3mg2%
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
    DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?Be sure to PIN IT on Pinterest, leave a comment below, rate it, and mention @_VeganWithCurves using #veganwithcurves hashtag on Instagram so I can see it!

    Update Notes: This post was originally published on June 17, 2019, but was republished with new photos, updated recipe, step by step instructions, tips, and a video June 4, 2022.

    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Please read my full Affiliate Disclaimer.

    © Gina Marie Hoskins. Vegan With Curves. All Rights Reserved. Unless noted otherwise, all images, recipes, & content are copyright protected and registered with the U.S. Copyright Office. My images and written content are NOT to be used without prior permission. Read full Copyright Disclosure.

    © Gina Marie Hoskins. Vegan With Curves. All Rights Reserved. Unless noted otherwise, all images, recipes, & content are copyright protected and registered with the U.S. Copyright Office. My images and written content are NOT to be used without prior permission. Read full Copyright Disclosure.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Elana Fariss

      January 23, 2023 at 6:54 pm

      5 stars
      These came out delicious, but unfortunately due to my oversight, I put all of the lentils in the food processor, and they came out too moist and didn't hold their shape. I put some in a pan, those fell apart more so than the ones that I baked. I did use a jar of Stubb's barbeque sauce and even though it doesn't specify vegan, the ingredients are wholesome with less sugar and no high fructose with a bit of zip. I will definitely be adding these to my meal planning repertoire, thanks for sharing!

      Reply
    2. Jenny

      June 12, 2022 at 2:53 am

      5 stars
      This recipe is so good. I love the ingredients!

      Reply
    3. Veronika

      June 10, 2022 at 10:54 am

      5 stars
      This BBQ sauce was amazing! The pineapple juice added a delicious flavor I'm not used to in our regular bbq sauce. Can't wait to use it on some grilled veggies!

      Reply
      • Gina Marie

        June 11, 2022 at 3:59 pm

        So glad you enjoyed it!

        Reply
    4. Luke Ratford

      June 10, 2022 at 1:32 am

      5 stars
      Thank you for this recipe; we made this for a family BBQ, and it went down a treat with everyone 🙂

      Reply
      • Gina Marie

        June 11, 2022 at 3:59 pm

        Yay! thank you for the feedback!

        Reply
    5. Sean

      June 09, 2022 at 11:06 am

      5 stars
      So tasty and easy to make. This is a great recipe!

      Reply
      • Gina Marie

        June 11, 2022 at 4:01 pm

        thank you!

        Reply
    6. Debbie

      June 07, 2022 at 8:32 pm

      5 stars
      WOW what a simple sweet and tangy BBQ sauce ! I have finally found one I love ! Thanks do much.

      Reply
      • Gina Marie

        June 08, 2022 at 2:22 pm

        You are welcome!

        Reply
    7. Ann

      June 07, 2022 at 11:30 am

      5 stars
      I love making homemade BBQ sauce, but have never added tomato puree to the mix. I bet it give the BBQ sauce a thicker consistency. Will have to give it a try!

      Reply
      • Gina Marie

        June 08, 2022 at 2:23 pm

        Yes the tomato sauce def gives it a thicker consistency! Let me know how it turns out for you!

        Reply
    8. Slavka

      July 18, 2021 at 1:56 am

      Hello,
      what kind of molasses are you using for this recipe, please?
      Blackstrap, dark or light?
      Thank you,
      Slavka

      Reply
      • Gina Marie

        July 19, 2021 at 10:39 am

        Whatever you prefer it really does not matter. Whichever one you like best.😊

        Reply
    9. Melissa Ruhland

      March 02, 2021 at 10:13 pm

      Is there something I could sub for agave nectar? Maple syrup?

      Reply
      • Gina Marie

        March 03, 2021 at 8:25 pm

        That will work!

        Reply
    10. Andrea

      February 18, 2021 at 8:14 am

      Hi! How much liquid smoke should be used - it’s listed twice in the ingredients list shows it twice. Can’t wait to try this with the bbq lentil meatballs.

      ~Andrea

      Reply
      • Gina Marie

        February 18, 2021 at 5:27 pm

        Oops sorry about that! I fixed it. You only need 1/4 teaspoon.

        Reply
    11. Jenn

      January 13, 2021 at 7:13 am

      How big of a can of tomato puree is needed?

      Reply
      • Gina Marie

        January 13, 2021 at 6:50 pm

        Sorry about that. About 15 ounces

        Reply
    12. Abbie

      July 12, 2020 at 6:47 am

      Hello, I am looking forward to trying this recipe, I'm relatively new to eating vegan meals and I'm finding all the different types of lentils confusing. What type of lentils are used in this recipe? red? green? brown? etc

      Thanks,
      Abbie

      Reply
      • Gina Marie

        July 13, 2020 at 2:28 pm

        Hi Abbie. So this BBQ sauce recipe doesn't use lentils. I'm not sure what recipe you are referring to but my BBQ Lentil Balls recipe uses brown lentils if that is what you are referring too.

        Reply
    13. Varun Sharma

      April 28, 2020 at 3:54 am

      5 stars
      Made this today! The sauce is so good. Gonna give it a try with Tasty’s recipe for vegan pulled pork burgers

      Reply
      • Gina Marie

        April 28, 2020 at 6:47 pm

        Awesome! So glad you loved the recipe!!

        Reply

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    Hi, I'm Gina Marie, the face behind Vegan With Curves. Here you will find a collection of filling vegan recipes as well as tips to help keep you healthy and curvy!

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