We wanted to make the Easy Vegan BBQ Sauce from our cookbookeven better, but the truth is, friends, it’s already magical. It’s perfectly sweet and tangy, just a little spicy, and FULL of flavor. This slightly modified version has all that flavor, and we simplified it even more.
It’s made in 1 pot in just 15 minutes and happens to be gluten-free and vegan — and can be naturally sweetened, too. It’s delicious on sandwiches, veggie burgers, and beyond!
How to Make BBQ Sauce
Making BBQ sauce at home is easy, cost-effective, and you can adjust the ingredients based on your taste preferences and sensitivities. We consider that a win-win-win!
To start, combine all the ingredients in a saucepan. Ketchup provides the tomatoey, slightly tangy base, and in our testing, it was far superior in flavor to tomato paste. If you’re wanting to skip store-bought ketchup or keep it naturally sweetened, we recommend our DIY Ketchup!
Then for the remaining ingredients, we include apple cider vinegar and lemon juice for classic BBQ sauce flavor (tangy and bright), tamari or soy sauce for depth of flavor, and coconut sugar (or brown sugar) for sweetness.
A little yellow mustard is essential for getting the flavor just right (we tested without it, and it was a no-go!) and a blend of chili powder, smoked paprika, onion powder, and cayenne give this BBQ sauce that smoky, spicy, savory WOW factor! Sea salt and black pepper are the classics that round it out.
Cook the mixture, whisking occasionally, until it turns into a thick, darker sauce and the flavors have had a little time to develop (it tastes even better the next day!). And just like that, it’s ready to bring all your meals to life (it would even make cardboard taste good — don’t try that though!).
We hope you LOVE this BBQ sauce! It’s:
Saucy
Tangy
Perfectly sweet
A little spicy
Versatile
Quick & easy
& SO good you’ll want to lick the pan!
Use this sauce in our BBQ Jackfruit Sandwiches with Avocado Slaw, Best Vegan “Pulled Pork” Sandwich, Smoky BBQ Black Bean Burgers, or BBQ Tempeh Sandwiches (recipe coming soon!). Or use it as a dip for Easy Baked Sweet Potato Tater Tots or Gluten-Free Onion Rings. It’s also great for all your BBQ and grilling needs!
More DIY Condiments
- Easy Vegan Tartar Sauce
- Zesty Mango Habanero Hot Sauce
- Easy Homemade Teriyaki Sauce (Gluten-Free)
- Easy Vegan Aquafaba Mayo
If you try this recipe, let us know! Leave a comment, rate it, and don’t forget to tag a photo @minimalistbaker on Instagram. Cheers, friends!
15-Minute Vegan BBQ Sauce (GF)
Ingredients
- 1cupketchup(or store-bought // ensure organic for vegan-friendly)
- 2Tbspwater
- 1 ½Tbspapple cider vinegar
- 1Tbsplemon juice
- 1/2Tbsptamari or soy sauce(ensure gluten-free as needed)
- 1/2tspplain yellow mustard
- 1/4cupcoconut sugar or brown sugar
- 1 ½tspchili powder blend(NOT cayenne or chili flakes)
- 1tspsmoked paprika
- 1/2tsponion powder
- 1pinchcayenne pepper or ground chipotle pepper
- 1/8tsp eachsea salt and black pepper
Instructions
- Add all the ingredients to a large saucepan and whisk thoroughly to combine. Warm over medium heat.
- Once bubbling, reduce the heat to low and continue simmering for 8-10 minutes, whisking occasionally. Reduce the heat or cover if splattering.
- Taste and adjust the seasonings as needed (keeping in mind the flavors will develop as it cools), adding more sugar for sweetness, vinegar for brightness (and to balance the sweetness), chili powder for smokiness, or cayenne or chipotle powder for heat.
- Let cool completely before transferring to a storage container, such as a glass jar. Sauce will keep for 2 weeks in the refrigerator or 1 month in the freezer. Serve at room temperature for best flavor.
Video
Notes
*Slightly modified from the Easy Vegan BBQ Sauce in our Everyday Cooking cookbook.
*Nutrition information is a rough estimate.
Nicolesays
So good and so easy! I followed the recipe exactly but then added a little splash of hickory liquid smoke at the end after seeing Paula’s suggestion and it seemed to make it even better.
Support @ Minimalist Bakersays
Great! Thank you for lovely review, Nicole! xo
Paulasays
This was delicious. My new favorite. I added a little liquid smoke. Very easy to make and delicious. Thx for recipe.
Support @ Minimalist Bakersays
Amazing! Thank you for sharing, Paula! xo
Kirbysays
Hi, is there any alternative for the soy sauce if we are soy free?
Support @ Minimalist Bakersays
Hi Kirby, the next best option would be coconut aminos. Hope that helps!
Louise Nolansays
I can’t wait to make this but just wanted to verify the yellow mustard. Is it wet mustard from a jar or mustard powder?
Thanks so much for sharing this recipe :)
Support @ Minimalist Bakersays
From a jar, NOT mustard powder!
Mate Matesays
Waaoo great recipe!
Support @ Minimalist Bakersays
Thank you! xoxo
Debsays
Hi! Could you substitute dijon mustard and maple syrup…may be a stretch but I hate to buy ingredients I do not normally use. Thank you!
Support @ Minimalist Bakersays
Hi Deb, the flavor won’t be quite as much like a classic BBQ sauce, but we do think that would work in a pinch. Hope that helps!
Martinasays
Where are all the desserts?
Support @ Minimalist Bakersays
Hi Martina, You can find our dessert recipes by selecting “recipe type” and “sweet (dessert)” in our recipe index. Hope that helps!
Casey Challengersays
Mustard- prepared or powder?
Support @ Minimalist Bakersays
Prepared mustard
Darcy Davissays
Question:
Would you sub date sugar for the brown or coconut sugar?
Support @ Minimalist Bakersays
Yes, that would work!