There are few things more satisfying than creating homemade condiments. Not only do they taste fresher than store-bought versions, but you can you control the ingredients and flavor, too. Plus, homemade sauces and dressings tend to be more budget-friendly.
In the past, we’ve shared recipes like vegan mayo and vegan Thousand Island dressing. And now, we’re adding BBQ sauce to the list! Here’s how to make this smoky, tangy condiment in the comfort of your home.
Table of Contents
How to Make It
Vegan BBQ sauce calls for simple ingredients. If you cook often, there’s a good chance you have these ingredients on hand. The base of this sauce is ketchup or tomato sauce.
If you want to make a very smooth BBQ sauce, use store-bought ketchup. But if you’re OK with some texture, use tomato sauce. You can also use homemade vegan ketchup or tomato sauce.
You’ll also need brown sugar or maple syrup, vegetable broth, liquid smoke, tomato paste, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, onion or garlic powder, salt, black pepper, and chili powder.
The liquid smoke adds a nice smoky flavor, but it’s not necessary. Additionally, if you don’t have vegetable broth, water works just fine.
Combine all the ingredients in a small pan over low heat.
Stir well, heating the mixture until the brown sugar dissolves. Make sure the sauce does not boil, as it will bubble and splatter easily.
Continue heating and mixing until it reaches your desired thickness, about 10 to 15 minutes. Keep in mind that the sauce will slightly thicken as it cools, too.
And just like that, you have homemade vegan BBQ sauce! Store your sauce in an air-tight container, like a jar, in the refrigerator. It should last about one week.
As with all homemade sauces, you can customize this recipe according to your personal preferences and dietary needs. For example, if you eat a vegetarian diet, you can use honey as a sweetener. Or, if you have fresh garlic on hand, you could add finely minced garlic instead of garlic powder.
Craving an extra kick? Add more chili powder or some paprika. A splash of your favorite hot sauce can also take this sauce to the next level.
Enjoy your vegan BBQ sauce as a dip, spread, or marinade. If you need some inspiration, here are some of our favorite recipes that pair well with BBQ sauce:
- Cheesy Vegan Roasted Cauliflower
- Easy Vegan Lettuce Wraps
- Crispy Baked Tofu
- Crispy Baked Asparagus Fries
- Roasted Sugar Snap Peas
- Southwest Tofu Wrap
- Vegan Portobello Burgers
Enjoy!
Homemade Vegan BBQ Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 cup tomato sauce or ketchup
- 4 tablespoons maple syrup or brown sugar
- 4 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon vegan Worcestershire sauce
- ½ cup vegetable broth
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon liquid smoke
- 1 teaspoon onion powder or garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon fine sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
Instructions
- In a small pan over low heat, combine all the ingredients. Mix well until brown sugar dissolves.
- Simmer until the mixture is your desired thickness, about 10 to 15 minutes.
- Let cool slightly. Transfer to an air-tight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
