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.
The recipe looks good, very good, I will try it with the espresso, but let’s be honest about the elitist no ketchup statement. The main ingredients in ketchup are tomatoes, sweeteners, and vinegar. These are basically the main ingredients in your sauce. Coincidence? I’m being completely sincere, why not just use a ketchup base?
Hi Rick! Not being elitist at all, I said nothing negative at all anywhere in my post about ketchup. But commercial ketchup uses white sugar and some even use corn syrup. Many people do not like to use ketchup who are plant-based for that very reason. In fact, all of my bbq sauce recipes do not use ketchup. I’ve never used it as a base. I have used ketchup for a few other recipes, doesn’t bother me in small amounts personally, but when I have, people always say they don’t want to use ketchup because of the white sugar. I even created a homemade ketchup on my blog here because of all the people who didn’t want to use commercial ketchup in my Thousand Island dressing. I prefer to use a more natural sweetener as much as possible in my recipes, which is why I use pure maple syrup and molasses. Stating the “no ketchup” part in the title is for SEO purposes since many will google for bbq sauce without ketchup. Also, all bbq sauce recipes use vinegar and tomatoes, it’s classic. I’m sure many use ketchup because it’s easier to create a recipe with it, versus figuring out the balance of each individual ingredient for bbq sauce. That part is actually fun for me though! Hope that makes more sense.
Honestly I admire your patience, girl. As a person following a plant-based diet, I actually appreciate the fact that you highlighted the lack of ketchup in this recipe. I don’t use store bought ketchups specifically because of the reasons that you mentioned, and not for elitist reasons. <3
Thank you Meredith! Yes, exactly, I was quite shocked by that comment!
I found this recipe because I was looking specially for a recipe without ketchup. I’m not plant based or vegan, I’m just not a fan of ketchup because of all of the sugar and it just tasted processed. This is a great sauce that I will definitely make again, with a few tweaks, but mostly because of my preference for a bit more kick!
Will somebody explain to me what the word “elitist” means, it is used constantly in a very disparaging manner for small things which have nothing to do with the wealthy & powerful elite society.
Honestly, I’m still confused why he said it! Elitist has absolutely nothing to do with me not using ketchup in my recipe, you are very correct.
I just googled the word & was confused to why he used it. glad to see everyone’s confused by his useless comment 🙂 excited to make this ketchup free sauce 😉
Hi Brandi, I’d love to try your recipe! I have a question about the liquid smoke. I don’t use it very often. I think I’ve purchased it only one time but I remember there being a choice of flavors-
hickory, mesquite and I think there was maybe one more favor What kind do you use in this recipe? What are your recommendations for buying liquid smoke in general?
Thanks!
Hi I used the natural hickory flavor by the brand by Fort Worth Stockyards. Found at Walmart or Amazon. I love it. I’m sure the Colgin brand hickory flavor would be fine too.
I’m so excited to make this! Is it possible to omit the liquid smoke? And should I add something else?
HI Jeannine, you can leave it out if you like. It does give a wonderful smoky depth of flavor, which I think is great for bbq sauce, but you could try adding smoked paprika instead if you like!
I tried it with smoked paprika instead of liquid smoke and I love it!
Awesome!
Does this freeze well?
I just created it a few days ago, so I’m not sure, but I would assume so! I freeze sauces like this all the time. Just thaw it in the fridge overnight and reblend to smooth it back out and gently heat it on the stove on low.
I tried your recipe and absolutely love it. I wanted a recipe without ketchup just because it’s very tart and here i can adjust the ingredients just a bit. Thank you, we enjoyed with our BBQ chicken.
So glad to hear that!!
I used blackstrap and it’s delish
Hi Brandi
I was wondering if I could replace the maple syrup with a Monk fruit sugar instead?
I’ve never used that, so I have no idea of the taste. Maple syrup gives deep flavor to the bbq sauce and it needs to be a liquid sweetener so the consistency is right, so if monk fruit is a dry sugar, that won’t work well.
Hi Brandi:)
I just recently discovered your site and am delighted with the recipes! I have been printing them off to share with friends and noticed that your website address nor your name are on the recipes when they are printed. I think it is important for others to know where the recipes come from thus giving you due credit for all your hard work and creativity. Thank you for sharing your love of healthy eating.
Thanks so much Jane! I added my site webpage on them now.
Hi Brandi is there any substitute for molasses as I can only find black strap molasses where I live?
Hi Belinda! Ok, what I would do to avoid it being too bitter, is use 1 tablespoon blackstrap and 1 extra tablespoon of maple syrup to replace the 2 tablespoons of regular molasses!
Thank you! Will definitely try it out
Very Good, and you are right it taste better after on night in the fridge. It has save my last batch of white beans. You have a very good recipes selection. Thank You! for the Good work.
So glad you enjoyed the bbq sauce Yolande! Thanks so much for your kind words, as well!
Very interesting recipe, but I feel I should point out it’s not entirely vegan because of the Worcestershire sauce, which contains anchovies. I have a vegetarian sister in law, and while making okonmiyaki sauce (Normally ketchup, soy sauce, and Worcestershire sauce) I realized Worcestershire sauce was out for her and had to make a substitute using mild brown mustard instead.
As for myself, I’m looking forward to trying this for an outdoor barbecue this spring.
Hi Zoe, please read the ingredient list. It states right next to Worcestershire sauce “I buy a vegan one, Annie’s, from whole foods or sprouts)”.
This recipe looks great! Tell me about the espresso. Is this ground espresso beans or already made espresso? I’m curious what this flavor brings to the sauce. Does texas bbq have espresso in it? So curious to try, not sure if I should use the espresso or not tho!
Hi Delaina! “Ground espresso” is ground espresso powder. Not the liquid. It’s a tiny amount of the powder, it just adds a depth of flavor to the sauce. You will not taste espresso, it just adds overall depth. No, it’s not a typical ingredient used in Texas bbq sauce, but I like to add my own twist when I create recipes and since I have had bbq sauce with espresso growing up here in Texas, I felt it added a lovely note of flavor! You can omit if you want though, it’s still good.
Espresso powder is so great to keep on hand, too. It goes into everything chocolate I make (cakes, frostings, brownies) to boost the chocolate flavor. It doesn’t add a coffee taste in a small amount, but can be increased if one’s intention is to create a mocha flavor, of course. As explained in the recipe, it would contribute a depth of flavor to the sauce. It might seem an unexpected ingredient, but just as chocolate works in a mole sauce, espresso powder has many uses and applications, too.
This looks like a great recipe, and I’ll be trying it soon! I’m not a fan of liquid smoke flavor, but may try a dash of hickory smoked salt or the smoked paprika as had been suggested.
Thank you so much Wynn! Hope you love it!
Even better the next day! THis is the first bbq sauce I’ve made and it’s a winner. Made to go with the bbq chickpea wraps. Will always try to keep this on hand from now on. YUM!
Woohoo, so glad to hear that Valerie!
Hi! Wasting away in quarantine-ville over here! I have everything for this on hand except molasses. Can I leave it out or make some other adjustments to compensate?
Thanks!
Hi Linda! You can omit it, but it will change the overall depth of flavor and texture. You may need some extra syrup to adjust for sweetness and cook it longer.
tried this today!! (made this sauce for the Sweet Potato Barbecue Sauce Chickpea wrap! Lovedddd it!! Thank you so much for sharing:) but was wondering how long can this keep in the fridge? As it is quite a big serving!
Awesome Vik! This will keep several weeks in the fridge because the vinegar acts as a preservative!
Brandi, this recipe converted me to a BBQ sauce lover! That’s right, I didn’t used to be a fan but this sauce has such incredible flavor that it brought everything I put it on to the next level. Black bean burgers are snappier, potato salad is zingier, and sweet potato wraps are zestier! I left the mason jar out on the table and family was ladling it on EVERYTHING! Thanks for this awesome keeper! Hope you got to spend time with family on the Fourth! 🇺🇸
Woohoo, so glad to hear that Colleen!! I honestly think bbq sauce makes anything and everything taste better, haha! I’m so obsessed! So you couldn’t have said it better!!
Super yummy sauce! I made it today and we had it with cauliflower wings, awesome!!!
So glad to hear that!
Eating this right now. We steamed some kale and sprinkled it with pepper sauce.
Relly good! The sauce is perfect.
This is fantastic BBQ sauce. I have never made BBQ, but I will never buy it again. So yummy. Followed the recipe exactly including the espresso. I am a Pac NW girl, if it has coffee in it, I am all in. Thanks so much for this winner!
Yay Jen! That is so awesome to hear!!
Haven’t tried recipe yet but plan to soon. I’ll give it five stars because it sounds so good! I just wanted to say I have no problems with ketchup or no ketchup. But I do buy Organicville brand ketchup which has agave nectar instead of sugar. And it is delicious. My fairly immediate plans include your corn muffins, pumpkin chili, and BBQ sauce. Thank you for providing these wonderful recipes! Oh, and I think the butterscotch ice cream would be great after the chili!
Oh I love that the brand has agave instead, that sounds great! Thank you Charlotte, your menu lineup sounds just perfect!
Hi, so I am not vegan, nor plant based, however, I avoid corn syrup like the plague. I use white sugar if I’m baking chocolate chip cookies, for example, but I don’t like it in my real food. I never buy ketchup, and always forget it at parties lol… so I made this sauce to use in a pulled jack fruit sandwich (homemade pretzel buns and Cole slaw). I don’t own liquid smoke so I added 1/2 tbl of cumin, and for some reason I ran out of apple cider vinegar yesterday, so I subbed red wine vin. Used fresh grated garlic (a healthy measure) aaaaaand instead of the espresso I added 1/2 tsp of dark cocoa powder (think the darkness of Oreo cookies… I can’t remember the exact name, but not regular cocoa powder, it looks almost black). The sauce was delicious and I shall keep making it for all my bbq sauce needs!
Sounds really different, glad you enjoyed it! Cumin is way different than liquid smoke, haha, but happy to hear you liked it!
Hands down my new FAV BBQ sauce!! I made a batch and then simmered jack fruit in it, for wraps or on rice etc, so yummy!!
Woohoo, thrilled to hear that Tara and that sounds SO good!
I couldn’t find liquid smoke but used smoked paprika instead. Great results!!
Awesome!
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!