Quick & Tangy Whole30 BBQ Sauce Recipe (Paleo, Vegan) (2024)

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This easy Whole30 BBQ sauce recipe is lightly sweetened with dates and perfectly tangy, and comes together in no time. Serve over grilled or shredded meats, veggies, and more!

Quick & Tangy Whole30 BBQ Sauce Recipe (Paleo, Vegan) (1)

There’s something so addicting and comforting about a good barbecue sauce and you can enjoy it in so many different ways. It was one of the things I missed the most when I did my first round of Whole30 a few years back over the summer. Thankfully, this Whole30 compliant BBQ sauce tastes like the real deal and it’s so perfectly tangy and delicious.

Whole30 BBQ Sauce Recipe

This Whole30 barbecue sauce is sweetened with dates with a great depth of umami and tangy flavors. The best thing about it is that it’s ready in just 15 minutes, and you don’t need to simmer it for hours. I love that it’s also a vegan and paleo barbecue sauce recipe, and it can be served with grilled or shredded meats, veggies, and even as dipping sauce.

Quick & Tangy Whole30 BBQ Sauce Recipe (Paleo, Vegan) (2)
Quick & Tangy Whole30 BBQ Sauce Recipe (Paleo, Vegan) (3)

How to Make Whole30 BBQ Sauce with Dates

This is a very simple and easy Whole30 barbecue saucerecipe that takes a short time to make. Which means you can have more time to prepare the main dish to serve it with! Here’s how to make Whole30 BBQ sauce with dates:

  1. Soak dates in hot water for 5 minutes so they soften. They will be blended anyway, so I soak in the blender.
  2. Blend thoroughly until the dates are liquified.
  3. Add this mixture with the rest of the ingredients in a large saucepan.
  4. Heat over medium heat just until the Whole30 barbecue sauce starts boiling.
  5. Remove from heat and you can use it right away.

That’s it! Super easy and ultra tangy Whole30 and paleo barbecue sauce recipe that you’ll want to put on everything.

Quick & Tangy Whole30 BBQ Sauce Recipe (Paleo, Vegan) (4)

Ways To Use This BBQ Sauce

This Whole30 compliant BBQ sauce recipemakes a big batch (around 3 cups), but they don’t last too long in our house. There are just so many different ways to use it! Here are some ideas on how to use this BBQ sauce:

  • as a marinade for meats or fish (SO tasty when grilled!)
  • spooned over cooked meats or fish
  • mix with pulled pork or chicken
  • as a sauce for ribs
  • as a dipping sauce for fries and veggies
  • with meatloaf
  • as pizza sauce

How to Freeze Leftover BBQ Sauce

If you can’t use it all, this BBQ sauce freezes beautifully. Just cool completely, pour into a resealable bag or a glass jar or a freezer-safe container, and freeze for up to 3 months. I like to do this in smaller portions. You can thaw it in the fridge or at room temperature.

If you do use a container or a jar, leave an inch of room at the top so the sauce has room to expand.

Quick & Tangy Whole30 BBQ Sauce Recipe (Paleo, Vegan) (5)

If you enjoyed this Whole30 and paleo barbecue sauce recipe, you might also love…

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  • Slow Cooker BBQ Pork Spare Ribs
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Quick & Tangy Whole30 BBQ Sauce Recipe (Paleo, Vegan) (6)

Quick & Tangy Whole30 BBQ Sauce Recipe (Paleo, Vegan)

This easy Whole30 BBQ sauce recipe is lightly sweetened with dates and perfectly tangy, and comes together in no time. Serve over grilled or shredded meats, veggies, and more!

Print Pin Rate

Course: Condiment, Sauce

Cuisine: American

Keyword: how to make whole30 bbq sauce, paleo barbecue sauce recipe, Whole30 barbecue sauce, Whole30 bbq sauce with dates, Whole30 compliant bbq sauce, whole30 condiments

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 5 minutes minutes

Servings: 12 servings (3 cups total)

Calories: 42kcal

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup dried pitted dates
  • 1 1/2 cup hot water
  • 2 6 oz cans tomato paste
  • 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
  • 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tbsp coconut aminos
  • 1 tbsp smoked paprika
  • 2 tsp sea salt
  • 2 tsp chili powder
  • 2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp cumin

Instructions

  • In a high speed blender, combine dates and hot water and let them sit for 5 minutes. Blend until the dates are broken down and liquified.

  • Pour into a saucepan with the rest of the ingredients.

  • Stir and heat over medium heat.

  • Turn off heat as soon as the sauce starts bubbling and begins to boil.

  • Use immediately or cool the sauce to room temperature before storing in the refrigerator.

  • The BBQ sauce can be stored for up to a week in the fridge, or up to 3 months in the freezer.

Nutrition Facts

Quick & Tangy Whole30 BBQ Sauce Recipe (Paleo, Vegan)

Amount Per Serving (1 serving – 1/4 cup)

Calories 42Calories from Fat 9

% Daily Value*

Fat 1g2%

Saturated Fat 1g6%

Sodium 672mg29%

Potassium 324mg9%

Carbohydrates 10g3%

Fiber 1g4%

Sugar 6g7%

Protein 1g2%

Vitamin A 437IU9%

Vitamin C 6mg7%

Calcium 16mg2%

Iron 1mg6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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Regarding other affiliate links and affiliate relationships: In order for me to support my blogging activities, I may receive monetary compensation or other types of remuneration for my endorsem*nt, recommendation, testimonial and/or link to any products or services from this blog. Thank you for your support and understanding.


Quick & Tangy Whole30 BBQ Sauce Recipe (Paleo, Vegan) (2024)

FAQs

What can I add to BBQ sauce to make it less tangy? ›

Sugars: The standard sauce tends to be pretty sweet to begin with, so sugar may not be necessary, but if the sauce is too spicy or tart, you can try adding brown sugar, molasses, and/or honey to even things out.

What is tangy BBQ sauce made of? ›

The wet ingredients include apple cider vinegar, ketchup, yellow mustard, and Worcestershire sauce. Dry Ingredients: Along with the tangy flavor from the vinegar every good BBQ sauce recipe needs a little bit of sweet and a little bit of heat! That'll come from brown sugar and chili powder.

Is Sweet Baby Ray's barbecue sauce vegan? ›

You've likely come across Sweet Baby Ray's Barbecue Sauce at the grocery store. So, you'll be happy to know that the majority of this budget-friendly condiment's flavors are vegan. We're talking Original, Sweet Golden Mustard, No Sugar Added, Hickory and Brown Sugar, and more. Just keep an eye out for honey.

Can you eat BBQ on Whole30? ›

Since most barbecue food is fruit-, veggie-, and meat-focused, a lot of it is already Whole30-approved. Chicken skewers, burgers, fruit salad—yeah, you can eat all of that on Whole30. There are a few barbecue favorites you'll have to avoid if you're trying out the diet.

What cancels out tangy flavor? ›

How to Make Food Less Acidic. Add a fat such as butter, heavy cream, sour cream, cheese, or olive oil to coat the tongue and physically block some of the acidity from your taste buds. You might also try adding a sweetener such as sugar, honey, or maple syrup.

What does McDonald's tangy BBQ sauce taste like? ›

McDonald's Tangy Barbeque Sauce is sweet, tangy, and has a smoky flavor. Our Tangy BBQ Sauce recipe is made with a tomato paste base, vinegar, and savory spices with a hint of sweet hickory smoke flavor.

What makes BBQ sauce taste like BBQ sauce? ›

Ingredients vary, but most include vinegar or tomato paste (or a combination) as a base, as well as Worcestershire sauce, liquid smoke, onion powder, spices such as mustard and black pepper, and sweeteners such as sugar or molasses.

What are the three types of BBQ sauce? ›

Generally, barbecue sauces is categorized into four varieties: tomato-based sauces, vinegar-based sauces, mustard-based sauces, and mayonnaise-based sauces. Each category can have a range of BBQ sauce styles, ranging from sweet and tangy to hot and spicy.

Why is BBQ sauce not vegan? ›

Obviously anything with meat, milk, or eggs is out, but sometimes those animal ingredients hide under stealthier labels that you may not know. Look out for these ingredients that render a BBQ sauce definitively not vegan: Honey. It's made by bees, so most vegans won't go near it.

Is Chick Fil A BBQ sauce vegan? ›

5 Sauces. When it comes to adding a bit of extra flavor to your veganized menu item, a little sauce or dressing goes a long way. Chick-fil-A has quite a few animal-free options to choose from, including the standard ketchup, mustard, and BBQ, but also chili lime vinaigrette dressing and sweet and spicy sriracha.

Is Trader Joe's barbecue sauce vegan? ›

Tangy, sweet, smoky, and a little spicy, Trader Joe's all-organic BBQ sauce is budget-friendly and easy to find (if you have a Trader Joe's nearby). This plant based barbecue sauce works well as a marinade or served at the table as a condiment.

How do you reduce the tangy taste in sauce? ›

Add Some Baking Soda

If your tomato sauce is too acidic and verging on bitter, turn to baking soda, not sugar. Yes, sugar might make the sauce taste better, but good old baking soda is an alkaline that will help balance the excess acid. A little pinch should do the trick.

How do you tone down bbq flavor? ›

Whether it's drizzling honey on top of your dish, adding a bit of sugar to the recipe, or squeezing in lemon juice to enhance the flavors; a touch of sweetness can balance out the heat. If you have a BBQ dish or chili, the best way to tone them down is by adding things such as honey or brown sugar.

How do you make meat sauce less tangy? ›

Heat 1 cup of sauce with 1/4 teaspoon baking soda (baking soda neutralizes acidity). Taste the sauce and add tiny amounts of baking soda to see if it mellows the acidity. If there is still an edge, swirl in a teaspoon of butter, letting it melt until creamy. Usually this does the job.

How to fix a sauce that is too vinegary? ›

By adding more stock or increasing the other ingredients you can attempt to balance out the flavours to drown out the overpowering one. However, this is no good if you've only bought what you need. Your other option is to add an opposing flavour. If it's too spicy add something sweet or creamy for example.

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