Clean Eating Barbecue Sauce Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is a healthy substitute for BBQ sauce? ›

Fruit-based sauces are a great option for people looking to cut down the acid content in tomato base sauces like the BBQ. These sauces use fruits like pineapples, mangos, apricots, apples, and even peaches to enhance the taste while doing away with the need to add granulated sugar.

Bottled barbecue sauce is far from healthy, but that doesn't mean you have to banish it from your picnic menu. Look for brands with the lowest amount of added sugars, and resist the temptation to overpour.

Texas Pete E.

It's made with just five ingredients and no corn syrup. At 15 calories per serving, it's probably the "healthiest" barbecue sauce on this list.

Mustard Sauces: For those who enjoy a bit of spice, mustard sauces offer a bold and tangy alternative. Carolina-style mustard sauce, with its blend of yellow mustard, brown sugar, vinegar, and spices, is a classic option, while Dijon mustard and horseradish can be added for a sharper kick.

Vinegars: These can help balance the sweetness of the standard off-the-shelf sauce. Apple cider vinegar is most common in barbecue sauce, but rice vinegar can do the job nicely without being so heavily tart. You can also look to citrus fruit for acidity as well.

Apple Cider Vinegar: Apple cider vinegar is a versatile choice for BBQ sauce. It has a slightly fruity and tangy flavor that pairs well with the smoky and savory elements of BBQ. It adds a pleasant acidity and a touch of sweetness to the sauce.

Using leaner cuts of meat can greatly reduce your saturated fat intake. Buying loin of pork instead of ribs, or lean steak rather than a fattier cut, are healthier choices. And don't forget to remove skin from chicken. It might be more expensive to buy leaner meat, so you need to think differently about how you use it.

Is there a healthy way to BBQ? ›

Tomato-based BBQ sauce can be a healthy addition to your diet, as long as it is consumed in moderation. Tomatoes are a great source of vitamins and antioxidants, and they can provide a range of health benefits. However, some BBQ sauces can contain high levels of added sugar, sodium, and other unhealthy ingredients.

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.

Stubb's Sweet Honey and Spice BBQ Sauce | Gluten Free, No High Fructose Corn Syrup - 18 oz. (Pack of 5)

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