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Life Currents
Home » Zesty No-Cook BBQ Sauce

Zesty No-Cook BBQ Sauce

June 15, 2020 by Debi 62 Comments

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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

a top down look at a jar of Zesty No-Cook BBQ Sauce with a pastry brush that's been dipped in the sauce and the title in the lower left

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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.

Zesty No-Cook BBQ Sauce in a jar with a brush that's been dipped in the sauce

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.

a jar of BBQ sauce that's been tipped over and a pasty brush dipped in the sauce

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.

Top down view of a jar of BBQ sauce with a pastry brush on top. The brush has been dipped in the 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.

A close up of a jar or BBQ sauce, top down

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.

a simple small jar of BBQ sauce on a white plate with a brush (cut off) in the front lower right

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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title on top: Zesty No-Cook BBQ Sauce with a jar of sauce and a pastry brush that's been dipped in the sauce

Recipe

Zesty No-Cook BBQ Sauce in a jar with a brush that's been dipped in the sauce

Zesty No-Cook BBQ Sauce

Debi
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.
5 from 3 votes
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Prevent your screen from going to sleep.
Prep Time 5 minutes mins
Cook Time 0 minutes mins
Resting time 30 minutes mins
Total Time 35 minutes mins
Course Sauce
Cuisine American
Servings 10 servings
Calories 27 kcal

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

The serving size will depend on how much you like on your BBQ.

Nutrition

Calories: 27kcalCarbohydrates: 6gProtein: 1gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 259mgPotassium: 191mgFiber: 1gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 408IUVitamin C: 4mgCalcium: 10mgIron: 1mg

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.

Keyword bbq, no-cook
Tried this recipe?Mention @LifeCurrents or tag #LifeCurrents!
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Filed Under: Budget, Gluten-free, Grilling, Sauces, Condiments, & Preserves, Summer recipes Tagged With: bbq sauce, Food, grill, no-cook, recipe, sauce, tomato paste

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about debi

ABOUT DEBI

Hello! I’m Debi, the girl behind Life Currents where I write about mainly healthy vegetarian dishes. My husband eats meat, so occasionally I share some of his dishes as well. And, I’ll share tasty treats and projects that we do. Read more...

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. paige chandler

    June 16, 2020 at 10:14 am

    It’s a staycation this year. Staying safe.

  2. William D

    June 16, 2020 at 10:16 am

    Hit the beach!

  3. Kathleen Lyons

    June 16, 2020 at 11:19 am

    Only taking day trips because of COVID-19. Doing a lot of cooking at home and more and more grilling as the weather gets warmer. Would love to win.

  4. Helen

    June 16, 2020 at 11:51 am

    My kids love baking with me, so that is a definite for this summer. We also hope to visit the beach this year.

  5. Tim

    June 16, 2020 at 1:32 pm

    We had planned a trip to the Grand Canyon(and a few other national parks in the region) in late May, but the park was closed for the last two months, for some odd reason!!! I am not sure we will reschedule this year because I don’t really want to go in the middle of summer. We will probably do it next year.

  6. beth shepherd

    June 16, 2020 at 1:34 pm

    This would be amazing. My plans include visiting my son after he graduates boot camp. Thank you

  7. Tracy Davis

    June 16, 2020 at 1:58 pm

    I plan to stay at home.

  8. Starla

    June 16, 2020 at 2:24 pm

    Summer is totally my favorite for grilling out and being outside. We initially had a few plans to go to the beach, but the COVID ruined that. So, for now, we are just hanging out, enjoying family and friends- with great food, of course! That bbq sauce looks bomb, totally pinning!

  9. Carolyn Daley

    June 16, 2020 at 7:22 pm

    No travel plans this summer. My plans involve going swimming, reading a few books, and decluttering the house.

  10. Ellie Wright

    June 16, 2020 at 8:56 pm

    We will mostly stay home, but we plan to attend all of our grandchildren’s baseball games. We finally have the season started.

  11. Lauren Peterson

    June 17, 2020 at 12:09 am

    No real plans at the moment, but we are dogsitting for the most happy go lucky dog ever in July. I can’t wait!

  12. Ashley c

    June 17, 2020 at 4:26 am

    I will be working, cooking/baking and playing with my 2 year old ( who loveeeees to bake). Hopefully we will travel some this fall

  13. Breanne

    June 17, 2020 at 8:10 am

    I plan on staying at home and trying new recipes.

  14. Alyce Poalillo

    June 17, 2020 at 8:18 am

    As I am in high risk group we will be staying home this summer. But I doing a lot of gardening and enjoying the nature all around me on the farm.

  15. Luc

    June 17, 2020 at 8:48 am

    Still up in the air

  16. S. Carter

    June 17, 2020 at 10:58 am

    My current plans are to mostly stay home. I cancelled my travel plans.

  17. Chrystal D

    June 17, 2020 at 11:33 am

    I’m not sure yet what my plans will be, but definitely tending to my garden

  18. KariLorr

    June 17, 2020 at 12:22 pm

    I plan on going camping this summer.

  19. Stephanie Larison

    June 17, 2020 at 12:39 pm

    No traveling, just staying close to home and doing things with the kids. Getting the pool up soon.

  20. Jae Park

    June 17, 2020 at 2:29 pm

    My plan for the summer is to mostly stay home, spend time with the family. Going out biking a lot, with some camping trips close to home. Possibly a road trip if things clear up. TYVM!

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Hello! I’m Debi, the girl behind Life Currents where I write about mainly healthy vegetarian dishes. My husband eats meat, so occasionally I share some of his dishes as well. And, I’ll share tasty treats and projects that we do. Read More >>>

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