Vegan BBQ Sauce

Vegan BBQ Sauce that packs a real flavour punch! It's thick, rich, deep, tangy, smoky and spicy and perfect on just about anything! It can be made in minutes, keeps well for up to 2 weeks and is freezer friendly too.

This homemade Vegan BBQ Sauce is super easy to make from scratch and tastes incredible!

It's quick and easy to make too. Whisk together and simmer for about 5 minutes and you end up with a thick, robust, tangy, smoky and spicy sauce that's great for dipping, marinating and basting all of your favourite foods. You can even use it as a condiment.

I'm currently loving it smothered all over my BBQ Tofu. So good!

Jump to:

• What ingredients are needed and why
• How to make vegan BBQ sauce
• Success Tips
• Variations
• How to use BBQ sauce
• How to store
• Hungry for more?
• 📖 Recipe

What ingredients are needed and why

Here's what you will need to make my Vegan BBQ Sauce recipe:

• Tomato ketchup - This becomes the base of the sauce. Any brand is fine. Just use whichever one you like or have at home.
• Brown sugar - Ideally dark brown for the deep flavour and sweetness it gives, but light brown sugar or coconut sugar is also fine. You could also use half maple syrup, half sugar or all maple syrup if you don't mind a slightly thinner sauce.
• Apple cider vinegar - Add the characteristic tang and balances the sweetness.
• Molasses - Adds rich, thick smoky-sweet undertones and is a BBQ Sauce must! If you are in the UK use black treacle.
• Soy sauce - For umami depth. BBQ sauce usually has Worcestershire sauce in it which isn't vegan. You can get vegan versions but they aren't always easy to find. Soy sauce works well as a sub in this recipe.
• Seasonings - Garlic powder, cayenne pepper, smoked paprika, yellow mustard, salt and pepper. For lots of flavour and heat too. The recipe as it is, packs a punch. Reduce the cayenne if you want it to be less spicy. My secret ingredient for homemade barbecue sauce is a touch of smoked paprika. My favourite spice! It adds a perfect earthy, smoky flavour. You could use chipotle powder instead of smoked paprika.

How to make vegan BBQ sauce

This Vegan BBQ Sauce is SO easy to make!

1. Add all of the ingredients to a pan.

2. Put the pan over medium heat, whisk it all together and simmer for about 5 minutes. Just enough to dissolve the sugar granules.

That is it! Go forth and use it on all of your favourite things.

Success Tips

• I don't recommend leaving the sauce alone while simmering. It doesn't take long and can easily burn or bubble up in the pan.
• Adjust to suit your own tastes. Get some on a spoon, allow to cool and have a quick taste. You might want to make it sweeter or spicier or thinner. Check the "variations" section below for some ideas of how to adjust it.

Variations

The best part of making homemade vegan barbecue sauce from scratch is how adaptable it is. You can tweak it to make it exactly how you like it. Like a very sweet sauce? Add more sugar.  Like a tangier sauce? Add more apple cider vinegar. Like a spicy BBQ Sauce? Add more cayenne pepper or some chili powder. 

Here are some changes you can make:

• Make it sweeter:  Add more sugar. Add some then simmer for a bit so it dissolves, then taste and add a bit more again if necessary. You could also add a few drops of maple syrup.
• Make it tangier:  Add a little more apple cider vinegar to taste.
• Make it smokier:  Add more smoked paprika or a couple of drops of liquid smoke.  
• Make it spicier:  Add more cayenne pepper, hot mustard, chili flakes or hot sauce.
• Make it fruity - Use pineapple juice instead of some or all of the apple cider vinegar. Or add about ⅓ a cup of jam or preserves to the sauce while simmering. Blackberry, apricot and grape jelly work really well.
• Make it boozy - Add a splash of bourbon or whisky!
• Make it more garlicky - Add more garlic powder or some minced fresh garlic.
• Make it thinner: This is a thick sauce. Make it thinner by using maple syrup instead of sugar or by adding a little water or pineapple juice to thin as desired.

How to use BBQ sauce

Homemade BBQ Sauce has so many delicious uses, from basting to smothering, to dipping! It can also be used in any recipe that calls for barbecue sauce or for serving with or brushing anything that needs some added flavour. You can also use it as a condiment or marinade.

Ideas include:

• As a dip with French fries, onion rings or vegan chick'n tenders
• Brush it onto veggie burgers for extra flavour and gloss. I love it on my black bean burgers.
• Make pulled carrots or jackfruit
• On grilled vegetables
• Brushed on kabobs
• In sandwiches
• In sloppy joes
• On tofu or tempeh
• Add to baked beans
• Brushed on sausages
• In tacos/burritos/quesadillas/nachos
• Brush it on the top of vegan meatloaf
• Use it on pizza instead of pizza sauce .. with lots of vegan ricotta
• With potato wedges or grilled baby potatoes
• On cauliflower wings

I absolutely love a plate of BBQ Tofu, vegan mashed potato and grilled corn and also served as per the meal below:

How to store

Allow the vegan BBQ Sauce to cool to room temperature then transfer it to jar or other air-tight container. Store for up to two weeks in the fridge. 

To freeze place the completely cooled sauce in an airtight freezer-safe storage container in the freezer for up to 3 months. Let it defrost overnight in the fridge before using.

Hungry for more?

Want more incredible vegan sauces? You might enjoy my:

• Healthy Sweet & Sour Sauce
• Garlic Pineapple Sauce
• Vegan Stir Fry Sauce
• Green Sauce
• Peanut Sauce

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📖 Recipe