Learn how to make a delicious homemade Texas BBQ Sauce without any ketchup or mustard! Using wholesome ingredients for ultimate flavor and the perfect blend of sweet, smoky, tangy and slightly spicy! This is the perfect homemade barbecue sauce!
TEXAS BBQ SAUCE
Growing up in Texas, we know our bbq sauce. In fact, Texas is known for its barbecue. We ate barbecue and Tex-Mex more than anything else growing up. And as many of you know, who’ve followed my blog for sometime, I love bbq more than any other flavor. I honestly think bbq sauce tastes good on just about anything, haha.
I’ve made many barbecue sauce recipes on my blog and even a new one in my cookbook.
But, this one, is truly the perfect southern Texas style bbq sauce for me. It is the best bbq sauce I’ve created to date and we are obsessed with it in my house. It is the ultimate flavor and perfect balance of sweet, smoky, tangy and slightly spicy, but not overly so. My Dad made so much bbq in the backyard growing up and always smothered it in the most delicious bbq sauce. As a Texan, this one makes me super happy.
Everybody has their own idea of what makes bbq sauce the best. Some like it really tangy with a ton of vinegar, me not so much. I like some of course, for balance, but too much can taste rather strong. Some like it super sweet. This Texas BBQ Sauce is perfectly sweet, but not a sugar coma.
INGREDIENTS FOR TEXAS BBQ SAUCE
To me, you need each one of these for that perfect overall balanced flavor. I feel the best barbecue sauce has to have some molasses and liquid smoke in it, period. (recipe card below with full details)
- tomato sauce/puree (not tomato paste)
- pure maple syrup
- molasses
- worcestershire sauce
- apple cider vinegar
- garlic powder
- chili powder
- liquid smoke
- black pepper
HOW TO MAKE TEXAS BBQ SAUCE
Add all of the ingredients to a blender or food processor and process until smooth.
Add to a pot over medium heat. Once it begins to simmer, cook for 3-5 minutes, whisking continuously until the spices cook through and it is warmed throughout. I love to heat up pinto beans with some of the barbecue sauce. So so good.
OTHER BBQ SAUCE RECIPES TO TRY
If you make this recipe, be sure to leave feedback below and share your pic on Instagram or Facebook and tag me @thevegan8 #thevegan8!
Texas BBQ Sauce (No ketchup!)
Ingredients
- 2 cups (480g) tomato sauce/puree (not tomato paste)
- 1/4 cup (80g) pure maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons (40g) regular molasses (not blackstrap) can be found at walmart, many stores
- 2 tablespoons (30g) apple cider vinegar
- 3 tablespoons (45g) worcestershire sauce (I buy a vegan one, Annie's, from whole foods or sprouts)
- 2 tablespoons (30g) liquid smoke
- 1 1/2 tablespoons regular American chili powder
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon fine salt
- optional: 1/2 teaspoon ground espresso
Instructions
- Add all of the ingredients to a blender or food processor and process until smooth.
- Add to a pot over medium heat. Once it begins to simmer, cook for 3-5 minutes, whisking continuously until the spices cook through and it is warmed throughout.
- This bbq sauce is delicious right away, of course, but the flavors truly enhance to amazing flavor by the next day after chilling overnight! I love to use this over pinto beans and heat through or over veggie burgers, fries, potatoes, etc.
What happens if you do use tomato paste? I like it and it’s thicker.
Tomato paste is super thick and much more concentrated in flavor, so you’d have to water it down so that it’s equivalent to tomato sauce.
Hi there, how long does this recipe keep? Can you freeze unused portions? Looks yummy!
Yes, definitely! This will last at least a couple of weeks in the fridge and probably 3 months or so in the freezer.
Hi! How do you think this would take with the BBQ sauce for the lentil loaf?
Since the ingredients are similar, I am thinking I can get away with it!
Thanks! Kae
Yes, definitely!
Love this recipe..really easy to put together and clean ingredients. It lasts a long time if kept in the refrigerator.
This is the perfect balance of flavors. I want to eat it with a spoon. Thanks for a great recipe!
Woohoo!!
Thanks. I am out of BBQ sauce and ketchup and was looking for a recipe for BBQ sauce for making cowboy beans. Your recipe did the trick! For some reason I have all the ingredients listed. What luck!
Yay!!
The recipe looks like a winner. I will be making this recipe for our family reunion cook out. I like the fact that it does not use ketchup. I do not have expresso on hand so will have to purchase it.
I have never used it in a bbq recipe but based on the comments, it helps make the recipe ….so I will give it a try. Thank you
Hope you enjoy it!