This easy healthy bbq sauce is a lower sugar homemade version of this popular classic. Contains Marmite for more depth of flavour and goodness. Rich, smoky and delicious, it comes together in 20 minutes!
This homemade bbq sauce is low in sugar and made without any ketchup or other ready made sauces. It contains a handful of natural ingredients, is super quick and easy to make as well as quite nutritious (as far as condiments go!).
Why you will love this recipe
- It contains a moderate amount of sugar.
- It's made using a handful of pantry ingredients.
- It's simple to make and delicious.
Healthy BBQ Sauce Ingredients
This homemade bbq sauce is made using tomato passata rather than ketchup and contains only 2 tablespoons of added sugar. I used a small amount of Marmite for its salty, intensely savoury flavour which adds depth, complexity as well as goodness to the sauce.
You absolutely cannot taste the Marmite in this sauce! What you will taste is a tangy, rich sauce with deliciously warm smoky notes.
Step-by-step recipe instructions
1.Heat up the oil, add the onion and sugar and stir.
2. Cook slowly for about 6 minutes to caramelise the onions stirring often.
3. Then simply add the rest of the ingredients and bring to the boil.
4. Lower the heat and simmer for 10 minutes stirring frequently to prevent the sauce from sticking to the pan.
5. Remove from the heat, puree until smooth and adjust the seasoning if needed. Set aside to cool completely then transfer into a jar or bowl, cover and refrigerate for up to a week.
How much sauce will I get
The proportions used in this recipe yield approx. 200 ml (8 oz.) of the sauce. Double the ingredients and make a big batch!
Storing and serving suggestions
This homemade barbecue sauce can be stored in a jar (once completely cooled) in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. It is delicious with crispy baked chicken fingers, cornflake chicken nuggets or oven baked potato wedges. Try is also with healthy chicken meatballs or more-ish, vegetarian cauliflower rice patties.
Expert tips and FAQs
- In different regions of the world Marmite is called Vegemite and AussieMite so you should be able to get it wherever you are.
- Worcestershire sauce usually contains anchovy extract but you can get a vegetarian alternative so read the label carefully.
- Adjust the proportions to your liking. For example use a little more vinegar for a tangier sauce.
- This bbq sauce is mild but you can spice it up by adding cayenne pepper or chilli powder.
- You may not need to use any salt as both the marmite and Worcestershire sauce are very salty.
- Refrigerate in a jar or bowl, covered, for up to 5 days.
- Not suitable for freezing.
You may also like
- Healthy Easy Homemade Baked Beans
- Easy Sun Dried Tomato Pesto Recipe
- Healthy Spiced Cranberry Sauce (Reduced Sugar)
- Spiced Beetroot Chutney (Low Sugar)
Check out also 13 easy one pot chicken recipes.
Keep in touch!
How did this homemade barbecue sauce turn out for you? Let me know in the comments below, thanks!
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Easy Homemade Healthy BBQ Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 medium onion finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons light brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ⅔ cup (160 g) tomato passata
- 1⅓ teaspoons Marmite
- 1½ tablespoons cider/white wine vinegar
- ⅔ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ⅔ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce ensure it's vegetarian, if required
Instructions
- In a saucepan heat up the oil, add the onion and sugar and fry over a low heat for about 6 minutes stirring often. Add the remaining ingredients and simmer for a further 10 minutes stirring often to ensure the mixture does not stick to the pan.
- Remove from the heat and puree the sauce until smooth. Set aside to cool completely then transfer into a jar or bowl. Cover and refrigerate for up to a week.
Notes
- In different regions of the world Marmite is called Vegemite and AussieMite so you should be able to get it wherever you are.
- Worcestershire sauce usually contains anchovy extract but you can get a vegetarian alternative so read the label carefully.
- Adjust the proportions to your liking. For example use a little more vinegar for a tangier sauce.
- This bbq sauce is mild but you can spice it up by adding cayenne pepper or chilli powder.
- You may not need to use any salt as both the marmite and Worcestershire sauce are very salty.
- Refrigerate in a jar or bowl, covered, for up to a week.
- Not suitable for freezing.
Nutrition
*Nutritional information is automatically generated and should be considered as an estimate.
**A note about baking: If using a fan-assisted oven refer to your appliance's instructions and adjust the temperature accordingly.
Tina
Sounds great I’m going to try it but why isn’t it suitable to freeze?
Monika
I froze one batch and it didn't taste exactly the same after defrosting. That's why. But I know that people freeze bbq sauce, perhaps I should give it another go.
Cat | Curly's Cooking
My husband loves barbecue sauce but hates Marmite. I can imagine the depth of flavour it adds to the sauce so will have to try this!
Corina Blum
My little boy loves barbecue sauce and I make my own sometimes but I haven't tried adding Marmite to it before so this is definitely a recipe I would love to try out on him. Thanks for sharing with #CookOnceEatTwice!