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    See More:   Comfort Food Condiments & Spices Eating after Bariatric Surgery Gluten-Free Healthy Meals Vegetarian

    Last Modified: Aug 7, 2022 by Tara Ziegmont 2 Comments

    Sugar-Free BBQ Sauce Recipe

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    This easy homemade BBQ sauce recipe makes a low carb, gluten free, dairy free, no sugar added BBQ sauce that actually tastes good!

    I am talking a lot about food this week, not for any reason in particular.  I know it's a departure from my normal Christian content, but we all eat, so I thought I'd share some of the good things we've been eating recently.

    Since my bariatric surgery, I have followed a very strict sugar-free, very low carb diet. I don't eat anything with added sugar at all, and very few things with natural sugars (some yogurt and tomato sauce, for example, but only if there's no added sugar).

    I have always loved barbecue sauce, and losing that was a real pain point for me during the first few months of my surgery recovery. We had to find a sugar-free recipe that would stand in for my old favorite, Sweet Baby Ray's (oh my goodness, you don't want to know how much sugar is in just 2 tablespoons of that stuff!).

    This recipe doesn't taste like Sweet Baby Ray's. I won't lie to you and say that it does. It does taste good, though, and once you lose your cravings for sweet foods (which does take a few weeks at best), you will not miss the sugary flavor of the traditional BBQ sauce.

    How to Make Homemade Sugar-Free BBQ Sauce

    1. Heat olive oil in a small saucepan over medium heat. Sauté the onion and garlic until it smells up the house and gets soft. Reduce heat to medium low.
    2. Add the ketchup, apricot preserves, chili powder, mustard, and liquid smoke to the saucepan.
    3. Simmer for 15-20 minutes, until thickened sufficiently. To simmer means to cook until bubbly but not boiling and keep it at this temperature. If the sauce boils (lots of bubbles at one time), turn the heat down.
    A close up of BBQ ribs on a cutting board

    Homemade Sugar-Free BBQ Sauce Recipe

    This easy homemade BBQ sauce recipe makes a low carb, gluten free, dairy free, no sugar added BBQ sauce that actually tastes good!
    4.50 from 2 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Course Condiment
    Cuisine American
    Servings 1 cups

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 tablespoons olive oil
    • 3 cloves garlic
    • 1 small sweet onion or ½ of a large onion, chopped
    • 1 cup ketchup low sugar
    • ½ cup sugar-free apricot preserves
    • 1-½ tablespoons chili powder
    • 1-½ tablespoons horseradish mustard
    • 1-½ teaspoon liquid smoke apple flavor

    Instructions
     

    • Heat oil in a small saucepan over medium heat. Sauté onion and garlic until it smells up the house and gets soft. Reduce heat to medium low.
    • Add ketchup, apricot preserves, chili powder, mustard, and liquid smoke to the pan.
    • Simmer for 15-20 minutes, until thickened sufficiently.

    Notes

    Simmer means to cook it just below boiling. It may bubble a bit, but it should not come to a rolling boil. If it boils, turn the heat down to low.
    You will need apple-flavored liquid smoke for this recipe. You can buy it on Amazon for just a couple of bucks.
    If sugar content is a concern for you as it is for me, you will also want to get some low sugar ketchup, which is also available on Amazon.
    Tried this recipe? Pin it for later!Follow @FeelsLikeHome or tag #FeelsLikeHomeBlog!
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    A person stirring homemade BBQ saucePin

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    A close up of BBQ ribs on a cutting boardPin

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    More Eating After Bariatric Surgery

    • Low-Carb Ham and Cheese Casserole with Cauliflower
    • Leftover Turkey Enchilada Casserole - Great Way to Use Leftover Turkey
    • Buttered Lemon Shrimp with Old Bay
    • Traditional Old Bay Steamed Shrimp Recipe - Peel & Eat Shrimp

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Sarah says

      December 12, 2021 at 12:18 pm

      How long does this keep in the fridge and can it be frozen?

      Reply
      • Tara Ziegmont says

        December 14, 2021 at 8:35 am

        I've kept it as long as a week. I've never tried to freeze it.

        Reply

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    Hi, I'm Tara.

    Harrisburg PA mom blogger Tara Ziegmont
    I am passionate about helping women to care for themselves and their families physically, emotionally, and spiritually by making time for what matters most through a combination of delectable recipes, Christian inspiration, and family fun. If you're tired of feeling so weary and uninspired, you're in the right place. I'm so glad you're here!
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