This Zesty No-Cook BBQ Sauce is a breeze to make. And it’s perfect if you’re at home and run out of your normal bottled BBQ sauce and don’t want to go to the store.
Plus I have a (sorry it’s closed now) giveaway for you
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Please let me know if you have any questions about this recipe. I read all the comments myself and I try to help as soon as I can. I have readers from all levels of comfort and experience in the kitchen on my site, and I’ve tried to answer some of your questions already in the post. But if I’ve missed anything, please feel free to leave a comment and ask.
Pantry ingredients
You can make your own with stuff you probably already have in your panty right now. And, you might just love this no-cook sauce so much that you forget all about your bottled version.
And, my version is ketchup-free! It just uses a can of tomato paste, a bunch of spices, plus a little sweetener.
Recipe development
This no-cook BBQ sauce recipe was based off of my no-cook pizza sauce and I took a look at the spices in my Hickory Smoke BBQ Sauce Recipe. Both recipes are winners in this house!
That pizza sauce is a house favorite! We make it all the time.
And, since we are stuck at home, and I didn’t want to make a grocery-store run, I decided I’d try making a fun BBQ sauce version of our favorite pizza sauce.
How to make this sauce
I like to mix this sauce up in a 2-cup glass measuring cup.
Measure in the water, then drop in the tomato paste.
Next come the dry ingredients. That way the measuring spoons stay pretty clean so that I can use them for the wet ingredients afterwards.
Mix it all up, and pop it in the fridge for a little while so the flavors can get to know each other.
I like to store these homemade sauces in mason jars. I always write on the lid what’s inside as well.
Elevate your grilling
So simple and so easy to make. You’ve got a perfect little trick up your sleeve, whether you’ve run out of your normal bottled BBQ sauce or you just want to elevate your grilled goodies with a nice easy homemade sauce.
This tangy No-Cook BBQ Sauce has got you covered.
We use this sauce for slathering on grilled foods like veggies, pork, and beef.
We also use it for BBQ bowls. A little rice, some grilled corn cut off the cob, maybe a burger patty (veggie for me please), and a dollop or two of this sauce is just the perfect way to make a fun BBQ bowl!
It’s great in a sandwich as the spread instead of mayo.
It’s also great with a little drizzled on a pizza for a BBQ southwestern style pizza.
Customize it
The other thing I like so much about this homemade BBQ sauce (besides the fact that it’s so easy to make), is that you can totally customize it to your liking.
Want it spicier? Add in a teaspoon or so of your favorite hot sauce like Tabasco or Sriracha.
Want it sweeter? Add in another tablespoon or so of maple syrup.
Want to swap the sweetener for another kind? Maybe you’re keto and you have a special sweetener you want to use instead of maple syrup. That’s totally fine. I do recommend staying with a liquid sweetener rather than a granulated sugar because this is a no-cook, and the sugar granules will add a crunchy texture if they aren’t dissolved.
Want this is to be vegetarian? The Worcestershire sauce does have fish in it, so make sure if you’re serving this to guests that they are ok with fish. If not, I’d suggest using soy sauce as a vegetarian option instead of Worcestershire.
Kitchen items you may need for this recipe
Note: these are affiliate links
2 cup glass measuring cup
Measuring spoons
Spatula
Mason jars
Brush for slathering on
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Recipe
Zesty No-Cook BBQ Sauce
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup water
- 1 can tomato paste 6 ounce
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ¼ teaspoon ground celery seeds
- 1/8 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire
- ¼ teaspoon liquid smoke
Instructions
- Mix all ingredients together in a medium mixing bowl, and refrigerate at least 30 minutes before using.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations, and should be considered estimates. Actual nutritional content will vary based on brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes, and more.
Lesly F
My plans is to go camping and I’ve been cooking every day
Brenda Haines
We are staying home this summer. Grilling, gardening and playing in our little pool. Oh and I made some really good strawberry & cream cheese puff pastries yesterday. I’m adding them to my summer time dessert list.
Teresa Mayberry
I’ve been staying home, baking, and cooking comfort food for the family. That looks to be the plan for the foreseeable future.
Christine Yvonne Groce
No travel this Summer But we will visit the Columbus Zoo. thanks for the chance to win.
ae minx
No real plans.. probably just stay home and swim
Darlene Carbajal
Probably baking, grilling, staying home.
Tracey Garland
This summer I will be taking care of my newborn who is due on Friday. Hopefully we will get out of the house and to the beach a few times.
RICARDO MENEZES
NO TRAVEL, STAY IN HOME
Angie Patel
No fun this summer…staying home but eager to cook!
beleebi
My plans have all been cancelled. Going to stay home and enjoy the summer here!
Kayla Klontz
We plan to go on a lot of nature walks and seeing as many beautiful scenes as possible.
Thomas Gibson
With the increase of Covid in some states, I am not sure of any travel plans right now. Just stay home and play it safe.
Tawny Ridge
Was supposed to have a wedding this summer, unfortunately we decided to postpone due to Covid, but we still plan to go enjoy our honeymoon
Mikhail Rapoport
My family and I plan to do grilling, baking and spending some time in the park and outdoors this summer.
Mikhail.
Lisa V.
Don’t have any major summer plans right now.
Candie L
Most of our travel plans have been cancelled. But we are excited that disc golf tournaments are starting back up!!! Thank you
Sharyl W.
No plans to travel this summer. I bake in spurts – when I’m in the mood. Happy summer!
Selene Montgomery
We are workamping at Silver Lake, MI for the summer.
Charles Kelley
Keep local birds well fed (and the pesky squirrels), care for the trees I planted, celebrate Independence Day with family, if quarantine requirements in New Mexico are relaxed go to my grandson’s “Off To College” party.
Mark Marville
Just chillin by my pool!