Hickory Smoked BBQ Sauce – Sweet & Spicy

hickory smoked bbq sauce on top of a piece of meat, and some Brussel sprouts on the side

Pages on this site may contain affiliate links, meaning if you book or buy something, I may earn an affiliate commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support! Learn More


Also note: While I am a certified nutrition coach, I am not a medical doctor. Information here is not intended to be a replacement for the advice you should seek from your doctor.

Who’s grilling this weekend? 🙋‍♀️ Summer is finally here, let’s make the most of it! Even though I love to keep my BBQ dinners as healthy and nourishing as possible, I certainly don’t skimp on my delicious sauces! This Hickory Smoked BBQ Sauce is way healthier than its store-bought counterparts, but it certainly does not lack in flavor and spice! Plus, it contains no refined sugar or trans-fats and is low in carbs and calories. Believe it or not, one serving contains less than 40 calories!


Thick, flavorful, and the perfect balance of sweet and tangy: this sounds like THE perfect BBQ sauce to me! Making my Hickory Smoked BBQ Sauce is extremely easy and takes less than 10 minutes: all you have to do is mix all the ingredients listed below in a bowl…et voilà! The dream of all grill lovers has finally come true!

I love to pair this Hickory Smoked BBQ Sauce with both grilled veggies, tofu, or tempeh, as well as meat dishes, as it has such a layered flavor profile that it is almost impossible to not love it on them! Although the recipe down below is vegetarian, you can easily turn it fully vegan with just a couple of easy swaps. Just use some maple or agave syrup in place of honey and opt for a vegan Worcestershire sauce. (You can also make it yourself following this recipe from Karissa’s vegan kitchen).

On the other hand, if you are following a keto diet or just want to keep your blood sugar levels in check, you can just omit the honey, or replace it with a monk fruit sweetener. This has a lower glycemic index, which makes it suitable also for diabetic people.

The Ingredients in My Healthy BBQ Sauce Recipe

Ten are the basic ingredients in my healthy BBQ Sauce Recipe (plus salt and pepper).

  1. Tomato sauce
  2. Honey (or agave/maple syrup)
  3. Worcestershire sauce
  4. White vinegar
  5. Liquid smoke
  6. Garlic powder
  7. Onion powder
  8. Smoked paprika
  9. Tomato paste
  10. Chili powder

I bet you already have them in your kitchen! If not, run to buy them and be ready to turn your life upside down with this gravy! 🍗

Finally, here is a breakdown of the main ingredients and their properties, as well as some ingredient selection tips.

Ingredient Selection Tips

Honey

Used from ancient times as a medicine, honey is especially healthy if used in its raw, unprocessed form.

Tomato Sauce

Try to find tomato sauce that is low in sodium. Since tomatoes are on the Dirty Dozen list, you should buy tomato sauce organic.

Noteworthy Health Benefits

Honey

High-quality raw honey is rich in antioxidants, including organic acids and flavonoids. Antioxidants are improving cell health, reduce the risk of heart attack, promote eye health, and lowering blood pressure. Moreover, honey is also used for healing wounds and burns. Last but not least, it contains trace amounts of vitamin C, vitamin B, amino acids, and enzymes.

Tomato Sauce

Here are some health benefits that we get every time we consume tomato sauce:

  • It is loaded with vitamins and minerals, like Vitamin A, K, B1, B3, B5, B6, B7, and Vitamin C. In addition, it contains potassium, folate, iron, magnesium, chromium, choline, zinc, and phosphorus.
  • It prevents cancer as it is full of antioxidants like lycopene.
  • Regulates blood sugar
  • Reduces chronic pain
  • Reduces risk of heart disease
  • It is beneficial for skin health

If you loved this recipe, make sure to share it with your family and friends! And for more BBQ recipe inspiration, have a look at my Father’s Day BBQ Ideas – 15 Incredible Recipes to Celebrate All Dads!

Social Buzz

https://www.instagram.com/reel/CQ4a4xxpcUb/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
https://www.tiktok.com/@caitlincooking/video/7011160931266809094?lang=en&is_copy_url=0&is_from_webapp=v1&sender_device=pc&sender_web_id=6998149789804643846
https://www.facebook.com/caitlincooking/posts/604285867618280

Discover the joy of grilling with our homemade BBQ sauce recipe, an easy BBQ sauce recipe that’s both quick to make and delightful on the palate. This no ketchup BBQ sauce recipe is a healthier choice, embodying a low sugar BBQ sauce ethos. Opt for low sodium ingredients, and you have a low sodium BBQ sauce recipe on your hands. This southern BBQ sauce recipe is also a gluten free BBQ sauce recipe, making it a versatile choice for various dietary needs. Want a spicy kick? Add a bit more cayenne for a spicy BBQ sauce recipe. Moreover, it’s a refined sugar free BBQ sauce recipe, aligning with a healthier, joyful grilling experience!

hand holding a jar full of hickory smoked bbq sauce

Hickory Smoked BBQ Sauce Recipe

Caitlin Havener
Who’s grilling this weekend? Try my Hickory Smoked BBQ sauce! Lower in calories and overall healthier than the store-bought ones!
5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American
Servings 8
Calories 40 kcal

Ingredients
  

Instructions
 

  • Mix all the ingredients in a bowl, making sure everything is well combined
  • Enjoy the sauce as a marinade or a dip for your BBQ nights!

Notes

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts
Hickory Smoked BBQ Sauce Recipe
Amount per Serving
Calories
40
% Daily Value*
Sodium
 
218
mg
9
%
Potassium
 
54
mg
2
%
Carbohydrates
 
9
g
3
%
Fiber
 
1
g
4
%
Sugar
 
7
g
8
%
Protein
 
1
g
2
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Keyword BBQ, healthy BBQ, healthy dinner, healthy sauce
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Scroll to Top