This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
WW Recipe of the Day: DIY Sugar-Free Barbecue Sauce
Guiltless BBQ seems like a pipe dream. I think of Kansas City BBQ laden with rich oils and delightfully sweet.
Is it even possible to create a tasty BBQ without all the classic ingredients?
What a surprise it was to discover this hearty, sweet, tasty, sugar-free version. It’s even vegan which is a definite plus as plant-based eating becomes more common.
For those of us just wanting a good BBQ sauce and dip without all the fat and calories, this recipe fits the bill. It makes about 2 cups, so you’ll have enough to use right away and/or store or freeze for the future.
How Many Calories and WW Points in this Homemade Sugar-Free BBQ Sauce?
According to my calculations, each 1/4-cup serving has just 36 calories.
To see your WW Points for this recipe, track it in the WW App!
(You must be logged into WW on a smartphone or tablet.)
1 SmartPoints (Green plan)
0 SmartPoints (Blue plan)
0 SmartPoints (Purple plan)
1 PointsPlus (Old plan)
How to Make Low Fat Barbecue Sauce, Step-by-Step
Step 1: Gather and prepare all ingredients.
Step 2: Combine all the ingredients in a small saucepan and bring to a simmer. Cook over low heat for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Step 3: Remove pan from heat and cool slightly.
Step 4: Place mixture in a food processor (affiliate link), or blender (affiliate link), and purée to desired consistency.
Step 5: Taste and add drops of hot sauce, if desired.
Recipe Notes
Any kind of apple will be fine here—I used a Honey Crisp which gave the sauce a not too sweet tang. Depending on your BBQ preference—sweet style or spicy, try varying amount of brown sugar substitute. I used the Swerve Brown (affiliate link), which is phenomenal stuff.
Drops of hot sauce at the end will solve an overly sweet sauce, especially if you like spicy BBQ. I used a tiny splash of Sriracha.
If you like a traditional smooth sauce, it’s best to use a blender (affiliate link) to really get a shiny smooth consistency.
I used a food processor (affiliate link) so mine is a little chunkier because I love the texture that the beans give the sauce.
Serving Suggestions
Since it’s skinny BBQ, I’d liven it up with oven fries and maybe another vegetable to round out the meal.
I used it first alongside a grilled chicken with asparagus and greens on the side. For an additional treat, I enjoyed a crisp and refreshing glass of sauvignon blanc.
Ways to Use Leftover BBQ Sauce
Leftover sauce keeps for at least 1 week, covered, in the fridge.
I thinned down 1/4 cup of sauce with 2 tablespoons white wine and made a great marinade for salmon and chicken.
It would also work for almost any summer kabob on the grill—veggie, pork, chicken and fish.
If you’ve made this Low-Fat Gluten-Free BBQ Sauce, please give the recipe a star rating below and leave a comment letting me know how you liked it. And stay in touch on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for the latest updates.
Sugar-Free Barbecue Sauce Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 medium unpeeled apple, cored and chopped
- 1 can (14 ounces) kidney beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 tablespoon tomato sauce
- 2-3 tablespoons brown sugar substitute (I used Swerve)
- 2 tablespoons water
- Drops of hot sauce, if desired
Instructions
- Combine all the ingredients in a small saucepan and bring to a simmer. Cook over low heat for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Remove pan from heat and cool slightly.
- Place mixture in a food processor, or blender, and puree to desired consistency.
- Taste and add drops of hot sauce if desired.
Notes
(Must be logged into WW on a smartphone or tablet.) 1 SmartPoints (Green plan) 0 SmartPoints (Blue plan) 0 SmartPoints (Purple plan) 1 PointsPlus (Old plan) Any kind of apple will be fine here—I used a Honey Crisp which gave the sauce a not too sweet tang. Depending on your BBQ preference—sweet style or spicy, try varying amount of brown sugar substitute. Drops of hot sauce at the end will solve an overly sweet sauce, especially if you like spicy BBQ. I used a tiny splash of Sriracha. If you like a traditional smooth sauce, it’s best to use a blender to really get a shiny smooth consistency. I used a food processor so mine is a little chunkier because I love the texture that the beans give the sauce.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Quick and Easy 2-Ingredient BBQ Sauce
Want a quick and easy low points alternative to homemade sugar free barbecue sauce (affiliate link). This idea was shared by Lauren, a longtime reader. To lower the points in her BBQ sauce she combines a bottle of Sweet Baby Rays BBQ Sauce with an equal amount of unsweetened applesauce and blends until smooth. This effectively cuts the Points of the barbecue sauce (affiliate link) from 2 SmartPoints per tablespoon to 1!
