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Slow Cooker Barbecue Sauce

Slow Cooker Barbecue Sauce

This homemade barbecue sauce is tangy and delicious while also low in added sugar. It is the perfect sauce to serve with a simple grilled chicken that is a summertime staple in our house. 

ingredients for healthy homemade barbecue sauce without refined sugar
ingredients for healthy homemade barbecue sauce

Slow Cooker Barbecue Sauce

Simmering sauce for hours on the stove is not my idea of fun during a North Carolina summer. Thankfully, all of the ingredients can cook unattended in a crock pot.

Another benefit of using a slow cooker is the clean-up is much easier. My stove-top barbecue sauce always sticks to the bottom of my pot, which is difficult to clean-up and sometimes burns.

Even though it takes longer, I definitely prefer the slow cooker method to make barbecue sauce.

Paleo Barbecue Sauce

The first few attempts at this lower-in-added-sugar barbecue sauce were a little, well, tart.  To balance out the flavors, I reduced the amount of apple cider vinegar and added a whole orange. The result was a sweet, tangy, and flavorful paleo barbecue sauce.

homemade slow cooker barbecue sauce paleo

This homemade barbecue sauce recipe makes about three cups of sauce and can be stored in an airtight container for up to two weeks in the refrigerator or two months in the freezer.

Healthy Homemade Barbecue Sauce Recipe

homemade slow cooker barbecue sauce paleo

Homemade Barbecue Sauce

Yield: 24 servings
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 11 hours 40 minutes
Total Time: 11 hours 45 minutes

Sweet and tangy barbecue sauce that is paleo, vegan and gluten-free!

Ingredients

  • 1 28-oz can Whole Tomatoes*
  • 3/4 cup Apple Cider Vinegar
  • 1/4 cup Maple Syrup
  • 1/4 cup Worcestershire Sauce
  • 1/4 cup Yellow Mustard
  • Juice of 1 lemon
  • 1 Orange, peeled
  • 4 Garlic Cloves
  • 1/2 teaspoon Freshly Ground Pepper

Instructions

  1. Add all ingredients to slow cooker
  2. Blend with immersion blender
  3. Cook for 12 hours on high heat, stirring periodically, with lid open slightly to allow for evaporation

Notes

Recipe makes approximately 3 cups of sauce.  Nutrition information is based on a 2 tablespoon serving.

Nutrition Information:
Yield: 24
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 23

*Note: Tomatoes consistently test positive for pesticide residues, including organophosphate pesticides.  That is why I choose to buy organic or pesticide free tomatoes. 

Karman | The Nutrition Adventure

Wednesday 9th of August 2017

Can only imagine how good the flavors of orange and honey make this sauce!

Meredith

Wednesday 9th of August 2017

They really do add some delicious complexity to the sauce... it is wonderful!

Judi

Monday 24th of July 2017

Tried this on lamb chops! yum yum! Thanks for this. By the way I only made half and it was great! Buby J.

Meredith

Wednesday 26th of July 2017

I never thought to try it with lamb chops - I am so glad you like the barbecue sauce Judi! I have used it as the base of a brisket braise... that was delicious too! Thanks for reading!

Mona

Monday 24th of July 2017

Such a great recipe! So many bbq sauces call for ketchup and sugar. Love the addition of orange and cloves too! I not only pinned this I printed it too:)

Meredith

Monday 24th of July 2017

Thanks Mona - the orange definitely adds complexity to the sauce and gives it some additional sweetness. I hope you like it!

[email protected] A Dash of Cinnamon

Monday 24th of July 2017

love that this doesn't have ketchup in it or any refined sugars!!

Meredith

Monday 24th of July 2017

Thanks so much AZ! We really enjoy this tangy bbq sauce - especially since we have reduced the amount of added sugar we eat each day.

marisa

Saturday 22nd of July 2017

I've been wanting to make my own BBQ sauce. Love this one. Looks great!

Meredith

Saturday 22nd of July 2017

Thanks Marisa! I haven't bought barbecue sauce in years... homemade from healthier ingredients definitely makes for a tasty sauce!

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