Low-Sodium Barbecue Sauce
A flavorful low-sodium barbecue sauce with smoky, tangy, and sweet notes, perfect for grilling or dipping, suitable for health-conscious or low-salt diets.
Ingredients
- 2 (6 oz.) cans no-salt tomato paste ⓘ
- 2 cups water ⓘ
- 1/2 cup no-salt catsup ⓘ
- 1/4 cup brown sugar, packed ⓘ
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon liquid smoke ⓘ
- 2 cloves garlic, minced ⓘ
- 2 tablespoons chili powder ⓘ
- 2 tablespoons vinegar
- 2 tablespoons olive oil ⓘ
- 1 tablespoon parsley flakes
- 1 teaspoon dry mustard
- 1 teaspoon paprika ⓘ
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper ⓘ
- dash of red pepper sauce ⓘ
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a saucepan and mix well.
- Simmer, uncovered, over low heat for 20 minutes.
- Allow to cool and refrigerate. Keeps for up to 1 month.
Tips & Substitutions
For a thicker sauce, consider simmering it longer or adding a bit of cornstarch mixed with water. If you're out of brown sugar, you can substitute with coconut sugar or maple syrup for a different flavor profile. Adjust the spices to your liking; adding more chili powder can enhance the heat. This sauce can also be made in larger batches and frozen for future use.
Serving Suggestions
This low-sodium barbecue sauce is perfect for grilling meats, drizzling over roasted vegetables, or as a dipping sauce. It pairs beautifully with Garlic String Beans F.D. or used as a marinade for chicken and tofu. Serve alongside coleslaw or cornbread for a complete meal experience.
Storage & Reheating
Store the barbecue sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a month. To reheat, gently warm it in a saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. If it thickens too much, add a splash of water to achieve your desired consistency.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Low-Sodium Barbecue Sauce contains roughly 177 calories, with 7g protein, 39g carbohydrates, and 3g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (40% of the Daily Value), dietary fiber (35% of the Daily Value), and iron (32% of the Daily Value), and a good source of vitamin A and protein. It also contributes 10g of dietary fiber toward your daily target.
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use regular tomato paste instead of no-salt tomato paste?
Using regular tomato paste will increase the sodium content of the sauce significantly. If you're watching your sodium intake, it's best to stick with no-salt options. You can also try making your own tomato paste by cooking down fresh tomatoes.
How can I adjust the sweetness of the sauce?
To modify the sweetness, add more or less brown sugar based on your taste preferences. Alternatively, honey or agave syrup can be used for a different sweetness profile. Just remember that adjusting sugar levels may also affect the overall texture.
Can I make this sauce spicier?
Absolutely! To add more heat, increase the amount of chili powder or add cayenne pepper to taste. You can also mix in diced jalapeños or hot sauce for an extra kick, depending on your spice tolerance.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).