Whip up a batch of this super easy paleo BBQ sauce with pantry ingredients. It’s great to have on hand or to serve alongside whatever meat you’re throwing on the grill.

I wore a t-shirt outside today! BAHHHHH! You guys!
Granted, it is only 60 degrees here today, but I worked up quite a sweat in the kitchen and while slaving over my Traeger grill and I’m pleased as punch.

I’ve been looking for any excuse to get outside and grill or smoke because it’s giving me ALL of the warm weather feels. Have you checked out these Hot Honey Chicken Thighs yet? Because they are FIRE.
Anywho, I’ve been needing a good BBQ sauce to keep on hand for all of the meat I’ve been grilling up, SO this sauce was born.
It’s super traditional – with a good amount of apple cider vinegar for tang and because I can’t help myself – a bit of a kick. You can dial that down if you need to. But, I know you’re going to love this!

What makes it paleo?
This barbecue sauce is paleo because we’re not using any ingredients containing refined sugar, additives, grains, dairy, or legumes.
We are using ketchup, but we’re choosing a brand of ketchup that doesn’t have any refined sugar or processed ingredients.
What ketchup should you use?
There are a few paleo compliant bottles of ketchup out there these days. They don’t have any additives or corn syrup in them which makes them a bit different than your classic ketchup. However, I actually prefer this when I’m making barbecue sauce because it’s more of a rich tomato base as opposed to something overly sweet and processed.
I like this variation from Tessemae’s and Primal Kitchen also has its own variety which is popular. This recipe uses the Tessemae’s version and I haven’t tried the one from Primal Kitchen – just letting you know!

What can you use this on?
I love using barbecue sauce on just about everything in the warm weather. Try it on my smoked venison tenderloin or my smoked venison brisket. If you’re a chicken fan, it would be great alongside my roasted chicken things or to spice up my instant pot chicken thighs. Try it on top of pork tacos OR if you eat BBQ sauce with steak, try it alongside my perfectly cooked reverse sear grilled fillets.
What are you waiting for! Get saucy!
Print
Easiest Paleo Barbecue Sauce
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 1 cup – about 8 servings 1x
- Category: Sauce
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 8 oz. paleo compliant ketchup (I used Teseemae’s)
- 1/4 cup water
- 2 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp. coconut sugar
- 1 tsp. Dijon mustard
- 1/4 tsp. chili powder
- 1/4 tsp. garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp. cayenne*
Instructions
Notes
- here’s the link to the ketchup I use!
- Use just a pinch or omit the cayenne if you don’t like too much spice
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 Tbsp.
- Calories: 47
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 9 g
- Fat: 0 g
- Saturated Fat: 0 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
Keywords: sauce, BBQ, paleo
Post contains affiliate links.
This BBQ sauce was quick and very easy to put together. I used True Made Veggie Ketchup No Sugar. The sauce was a bit “mustardy” for me so I added some maple syrup. It was perfect on my ribs!
★★★★