This Easy Homemade BBQ Sauce is delicious as it is simple. Sweet, tangy, vegan, and ready in 5 minutes. And, it’s made with super simple ingredients you probably have right now.
BBQ Sauce should NEVER be bought! Why? Because it’s usually nothing more than a bottle of overpriced red high-fructose corn syrup. That is, unless you’re willing to spend 8-10 bucks on one of the so-called “higher quality” brands. Nope!
This is one of the the easiest, simplest, and most cost-efficient sauces to make at home. It’s also very manly. So, save your money and strengthen your manhood by making this Easy Homemade BBQ Sauce.
BBQ Sauce Ingredients
You’re probably thinking there’s some big secret to making a decent homemade barbecue sauce. Nope. It can actually be made with very simple ingredients probably sitting in your fridge right now.
Here’s what you’ll need:
- Organic Ketchup: Why organic ketchup? Because it doesn’t have corn syrup in the ingredients. You could also use Simply Heinz as well. Just be sure and read the label.
- Maple Syrup: It’s completely optional. So, if you like a more robust bbq sauce just leave it out. I tend to like mine a little sweeter.
- Vegetarian Worcestershire Sauce: Be sure it’s vegetarian. Many brands of Worcestershire sauce use anchovy. A damn fish! In BBQ sauce! So, once again…make sure it’s vegetarian.
- Low-sodium Soy Sauce or Tamari: If you want to make this Easy Homemade BBQ Sauce gluten-free, use Tamari.
- White Vinegar: It’s completely optional, but I like the “bite” the vinegar adds.
- Smoked Paprika: Feel free to use regular paprika. It’s completely up to you. But, I LOVE smoky things.
- Liquid Smoke: Once again, this is optional. As I said, I love smoky things.
- Yellow Mustard: Nothing fancy. Just plain, everyday yellow mustard.
How To Make Easy Homemade BBQ Sauce
- Put all your ingredients into a bowl and whisk.
- Enjoy!
Told you it was easy.
Homemade BBQ Sauce
Give this Easy Homemade BBQ Sauce a try. I’m sure you’ll like it because it’s..
- Easy & simple to make
- Sweet
- Tangy
- Smoky
- Completely customizable
- Made with everyday ingredients
- DELICIOUS!
Use this Easy Homemade BBQ Sauce for beans, jackfruit, soy curls, tofu or on top of baked potatoes. It also makes a delicious dipping sauce. Simply heat in a small sauce pan over medium-low heat after whisking. Perfect!
Looking for more dip and sauce recipes? Try my Oil-Free 8-Minute Marinara Sauce, Game Day Cheese Dip, or Five-Minute Peanut Dipping Sauce. I’m sure you’ll find a use for all of them.
You know the drill. Like always. If you make this recipe, be sure and let me know! Leave a comment, RATE IT, and tag a photo #shaneandsimple on Instagram.
Easy Homemade BBQ Sauce
- Total Time2 minutes
- Yield16 servings 1x
- DietVegan
Sweet, tangy, and super delicious homemade vegan barbecue sauce. Super easy to make and ready in less than 5 minutes.
Ingredients
- 1 cup organic ketchup
- 1–2 tablespoon maple syrup
- 1 Tbsp vegetarian Worcestershire sauce
- 1 Tbsp low-sodium soy sauce or tamari
- 1 Tbsp white vinegar
- 2 tsp. smoked paprika
- 1 tsp. liquid smoke
- 1 tsp. yellow mustard
Instructions
- Whisk all ingredients together in a small or medium-sized bowl. Store in a glass jar with a screw on top. Will keep in the fridge for about a week.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 Tbsp
- Calories: 29
- Sugar: 5.7 g
- Sodium: 231.3 mg
- Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 2 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 0.1 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
- Prep Time: 2 mins.
- Category: Sauces
- Cuisine: Vegan
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This is amazing! I just got some fresh spicy smoked paprika from Hungary and knew I wanted a BBQ sauce recipe to make first thing. Your recipes never disappoint!
I did sub molasses for maple syrup, used Trader Joe’s organic ketchup and didn’t have any vegan worchestershire sauce so I just added a sprinkle more liquid smoke.
Wowzers was this good stuff! Thank goodness I made a triple batch for tofu “ribs”.
Thanks for always coming up with easy and delicious recipes!
This sauce is the best!! I first made this for the BBQ soy curls (my new favorite meal!!), but have since used it on salads, bowls, and today stirred some into my oil free hummus. Game changer!!!
Can I leave out the liquid smoke or is there something I can substitute for it?
Leave it out and use some smoked paprika.
This is the Only BBQ sauce I’ll use. It’s The Best. Thanks Shane for another Recipe that is The Bomb.
Delish!!!
And utterly simple.
Brings up memories of my momma’s cookin.
A real keeper, thank you:)
This is fantastic! I’m trying to cook ahead before my husband’s surgery which will have us out of town for 3 weeks. Can I freeze this sauce?
Hi, Terri! I’ve never frozen it, but I see no reason why it wouldn’t work. Go for it!
This is the easiest bbq sauce to make. Because I am corn intolerant both my ketchup and mustard have apple cider vinegar I added another tablespoon of maple syrup. It was just a little harsh without it.
Even if we stop the WFPB diet, I will never buy manufactured BBQ sauce. This was very easy and taste delicious. Making the Seitan ribs for dinner. Cooked them this morning. Going on the grill in a bit to heat them up. Outstanding recipes
Your recipes have become my go-to for all things WFPB! This barbecue sauce is the best and the only one my youngest son wants to eat. Thanks so much, Shane!
This sauce is amazing. I was directed to it from a baked beans recipe that was posted in a WFPB Facebook page. I use the leftover sauce for air fried potatoes. Thanks for posting!
I have been WFPB for about 10 months now, you recipes really help me to make more fancy foods, I really thank you, I really like this BBQ sauce, used it on tofu, soy curls and jack fruit, yummy and thanks again.
thank you so much and congrats on your new lifestyle and journey!
Very Yummy, Thanks
Trader Joes has the cheapest organic ketchup.
Delicious! So glad that it is so healthy. Been following you since 2020 and I love all your recipes.
Thank you so much, Ali!
Hi Shane, Can I omit the liquid smoke? I have a thing against it.
Sure thing. It’s not necessary for the recipe…it’s a personal indulgence for me:)
Delicious! I’ve never made a homemade bbq sauce before, and this is a keeper!
Hey Shane,
Love this BBQ sauce! Fabulous depth of flavor and it’s super easy to whip up. Better than any commercial sauce I’ve tried.
I only discovered your blog a few months ago and every recipe I’ve tried so far exceeds all expectations. My vegan journey began in 2014, so I subscribe to at least 20 vegan food blogs — yours is my favorite by far! What can I say, Shane, you are “simply the best.” Really like your style. Thanks for all your great recipes.
Wow, Susan! Thank you so much for the kind words. Congrats on your journey and for letting me be a part of it, I’m honored! Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions or comments.
Blessings,
shane
I made this today to use for marinating some tempeh and it is delicious. So easy and quick and no cooking on the stovetop. Instant BBQ sauce!! Thank you for the tasty recipe.
Hello is it the mesquite liquid smoke or the natural Hickory liquid smoke that you used? Thank you
Either one. It’s all about preference really.
Lol. Yes I know and thank you for responding so quickly. I was just wondering which one you used for this. Thank you again.
I plan to make your BBQ Sauce. I have read ad nauseam information on vegan maple syrup brands—many list sugar as an ingredient but fail to specify if it is organic, You mentioned Well Your World in a previous comment. Would that same company be your recommendation for maple syrup? I thank you in advance.
Greer, bottom line, any organic maple syrup will be fine.
So good!
So I had a “Bob Ross” happy little accident moment making the bbq sauce. I accidentally grabbed sesame oil instead of liquid smoke. Not wanting to dump out all the ingredients, I just also added the liquid smoke. Delicious, I may just make this mistake every time.
You nailed it Shane. Simple, quick and absolutely deelicious! I had some roasted garlic and onion on hand and threw that in the blender with all the other ingredients and it was better than my regular recipe I have been using for years!
Can I make a double or triple batch of this yummy bbq sauce and freeze it?
Yes!
Sorry, forgot to give it a star rating.
Much appreciated:)
What brand of ketchup do you use?
I use any organic ketchup or one that does not use corn syrup. If you are looking for one that salt, oil, and sugar free you should look at the Well Your World brand. Excellent products! Here is a link: https://wellyourworld.com/collections/all-product/products/tomato-ketchup?variant=29168760684647
The best BBQ sauce ever! Yum
Thank you so much!
Great recipe but liquid smoke, smoked paprika have excitotoxins? Allergy trigger. Any suggestions? May try with sun dried tomatoes. Thanks for all you do to make it easy to cook.
Hi, CiCi. I would encourage you to read this article by Dr. Michael Greger and hopefully, it will answer your question. I would definitely encourage you to try and make it with sun-dried tomatoes as they are some of my favorite things to use. I hope this helps and thanks for your kind words. Blessings.
https://nutritionfacts.org/2015/04/14/does-liquid-smoke-cause-cancer/
Thank you Shane for the BBQ sauce recipe. I am an Innkeeper/restaurant manager in Belize and new convert to WFPB living. We often get requests for BBQ Sauce. Since I hate the bottled stuff (so much high fructose!) your recipe is a quick and easy substitute. My staff is amazed on how great the BBQ sauce tastes
Wow, that’s great! I’ve always wanted to visit Belize. One day, hopefully. And, great to hear about your “conversion”. Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions or comments. I’m so honored you’re using my BBQ sauce. Thank you!!!
What could I substitute for the Worcestershire sauce? I have been unable to locate any vegan versions locally. Thanks!
Todd, try this: 2 teaspoons soy sauce, 1/4 teaspoon lemon juice, 1/4 teaspoon maple syrup and a dash of hot sauce for every tablespoon Worcestershire.
This recipe is crazy good!! It’s even better than the standard recipe which I have made for years and loved. The only variation I did was that I did not use a store-bought Worcester sauce. I couldn’t find a vegan one either, so I searched online, found a recipe, made my own vegan Worcester sauce, and used that.
This is a keeper for sure!! 🙂
Thank you, Carolyn!!!
I made this BBQ sauce yesterday& we dipped our breaded tofu strips in it. It was delicious. The best I’ve tried yet & the easiest. It’s a keeper for sure. ?Thank you.
Simple, easy and delicious!
So easy and tasty! I will make it again and again. Thanks!