Terrific Guide to Vegan BBQ Sauce: It's Here, Approved and Remarkable!

By Avi Green July 10, 2024

As people become more conscious about their dietary choices, vegan options are gaining popularity. A common query is what BBQ sauce is vegan? BBQ sauce is essential for adding flavor to grilled dishes, but many question its suitability for vegan diets. In this article, we will explore vegan BBQ sauces, cover essential ingredients, and highlight some top brands that cater to the vegan community.

Veganism and BBQ Sauce: A Quick Overview

To understand what BBQ sauce is vegan, it is important to know what makes a BBQ sauce non-vegan. Traditional BBQ sauces contain ingredients such as honey, Worcestershire sauce, or anchovies, which are animal-derived products. For a BBQ sauce to be considered vegan, it must not contain any animal by-products.

Common Ingredients in Traditional and Vegan BBQ Sauces

Traditional BBQ Sauce Ingredients: Often contain honey, Worcestershire sauce (which includes anchovies), butter, and meat-broth.
Vegan BBQ Sauce Ingredients: Typically made with tomato paste, vinegar, brown sugar, and plant-based flavor enhancers.

Both types of BBQ sauces can be delicious and flavorful, but it's crucial to know how to identify vegan options.

Shocking Ingredients to Avoid

When searching for vegan BBQ sauce, the following ingredients should raise red flags:

Honey
Worcestershire Sauce
Gelatin
Natural Flavors (unless specified as plant-based)

Key Vegan-Friendly Ingredients

To replace non-vegan ingredients, look for sauces that utilize:

Agave Nectar or Maple Syrup instead of honey
Plant-based Worcestershire Sauce
Natural Plant Extracts for flavors

Approved and Delighted: Noteworthy Vegan BBQ Sauce Brands

To answer the question what BBQ sauce is vegan, let's dive into some specific brands:

Stubbs Original Legendary BBQ Sauce: This remarkable sauce is not only vegan but also gluten-free.
Sweet Baby Ray's Original BBQ Sauce: Another big name, with a vegan-friendly version.
Annies Organic Original BBQ Sauce: USDA approved organic and completely vegan.

Put BBQ Sauce on Chicken

BBQ Sauce Recipe

Babies Have BBQ Sauce

Make Homemade BBQ Sauce

How To Make Your Own Vegan BBQ Sauce

Creating your own vegan BBQ sauce can be life-changing and gives you control over what goes into your food. Here's a simple, unmissable recipe:

Ingredients:

2 cups tomato paste
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
1/4 cup maple syrup
2 tablespoons molasses
1 tablespoon smoked paprika

Instructions:

Combine all ingredients in a saucepan.
Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently.
Let it simmer for 20 minutes. Cool down before use.

The Benefits of Vegan BBQ Sauce

Choosing a vegan BBQ sauce comes with tremendous benefits. Not only is it kinder to animals, but it can also be a healthier option. Vegan BBQ sauces often have lower sugar content and fewer preservatives.