Barbecuing is a simple cooking that leaves you plenty of time to enjoy a glass of wine and talk to your guests. However, just because it's not an involved process does not have to mean plain flavours. In fact, there is a lot you can do to pack flavour into whatever it is you are going to put on the barbecue.
There are all kinds of marinades, rubs and spice mixes. For example, have a look at my jerk spice recipe which I regularly use on BBQ meats and seafood. Another flavour enhancer for your barbecue dishes is sauces. One of the most popular sauces in the world is the barbecue sauce. Many of us probably have one in the fridge or in the pantry, but have you actually made one yourself? As a matter of fact, it is surprisingly easy, as you will see here in my recipe for a gluten free barbecue sauce.
gluten free barbecue sauce
A gluten free barbecue sauce is the perfect sauce for any meat you might throw on the grill this summer. It can also be used as a dipping sauce for sweet potato fries or potato wedges. It takes only about 10 minutes to prepare so even if you are entertaining guests, you will still have time to rustle it up.
Generally speaking, the ingredients vary widely, but the usual makeup of a barbecue sauce is a tomato base, mustard, vinegar, and spices.
Nowadays, there is an almost endless selection of barbecue sauces available in the supermarkets. Mexican barbecue, Kansas barbecue, Alabama barbecue and on and on it goes. Sometimes it can be hard to tell exactly what a store-bought barbecue sauce contains. Quite often you will find a handful of untranslatable stuff on the back of the bottle, mostly stabilisers and the like. Therefore, I decided to make my own gluten free barbecue sauce. At least this way I know exactly what the sauce contains.
barbecue sauce history
Ever since man discovered fire and started to cook food over it, experimenting has taken place and techniques have evolved to improve the flavour of the food being cooked. Historians know of marinades for roasting meat as far back as Roman times.
The style of the barbecue sauce which we know today is a much more recent invention though. Food industry giant Heinz launched its first tomato ketchup in 1875 and it was probably not long after that somebody thought of using it as a base for a more complex and spicier sauce - the barbecue sauce.
It is hard to say for sure who invented it or when exactly it took place. However, I think it is safe to say that it was invented in America. In fact, the oldest known recipe is archived in the library of the Johnson & Wales College of Culinary Arts in the city of Providence, Rhode Island. It is dated 1913 and created by a certain Mrs. Howard. Containing tomato ketchup, mustard powder, cayenne pepper, vinegar and onion salt, it has a lot of similarities with our modern day version of barbecue sauce.
During the first half of the 20th century, several commercial versions of the barbecue sauce sprung up all over America. The popularity of barbecue sauce increased dramatically from the 1950s and onwards, as more and more people became house owners. People now had the means to live the modern American lifestyle and all that came with it. This included the barbecue.
bbq sauces
My gluten free barbecue sauce recipe is fairly basic and true to the original barbecue sauce varieties. If you feel like it could do with a bit more you simply add what spice you find suitable. I have used smoked paprika in my gluten free barbecue sauce because I find the smokiness to be an indispensable part of the barbecue flavour. If you don’t like it or if you can’t get smoked paprika, you can use normal paprika instead.
The classic recipes, as well as mine, call for cayenne pepper. How much of it you use it up to your own preference. Start by adding a little, taste the sauce and add more slowly until it has enough heat for your liking. Alternatively, you can use another type of dried chili pepper. Other spices you can add could be flakes of green peppercorn, garlic powder, oregano, parsley or even a pinch of cinnamon.
Many commercial producers use corn syrup or molasses as the sweet element of the barbecue sauce. Since these products aren't exactly healthy I prefer to use brown sugar in my recipe. The sugar plays an important role if you put the sauce on the meat before grilling it. It will caramelise and not only have some lovely burnt aromas, but will also make the sauce stick better to the meat.
If you want to make sure that your sauce stays gluten free, be sure to check the labels of the store bought ingredients that they really are gluten free. There should be plenty of gluten free products you can use for this so just keep an eye out.
foods
The gluten free barbecue sauce is a very versatile sauce that can be used with almost any kind of meat. I can recommend it particularly for that all-time American barbecue classic – ribs. If you want extremely mouth-watering inspiration for ribs, have a look at some of my ribs recipes:
Also, I recently made these brined chicken wings and if ever there was to be a great dipping sauce for them, this gluten free barbecue sauce would certainly be it. In fact, you can use the gluten-free barbecue sauce in two different ways. You can baste the chicken wings while grilling them, or you can use it as a dipping sauce afterward. The same goes for chicken drumsticks, thighs, and breasts. To make the most of the barbecue sauce, check out my oven-baked barbecue chicken.
Surprisingly, gluten free barbecue sauce is actually also quite lovely with vegetables. Try it on grilled peppers or grilled courgettes. It adds that bit of barbecue flavour to the vegetables that means you don’t even need to eat meat with it. Don't forget plain or sweet potato fries!
What is your favourite way to enjoy barbecue sauce?
Print📖 Recipe
Gluten Free Barbecue Sauce
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4
Description
Learn how to make gluten free barbecue sauce yourself and become the neighbour with the best sauce! Find out about its history and what to serve it with.
Ingredients
- 30ml (2 tbsp) vegetable oil
- 150g (5 oz) ketchup
- 30ml (2 tbsp) Worcestershire sauce
- 15ml (1 tbsp) peanut oil
- 15ml (1 tbsp) mild mustard
- 30ml (2 tbsp) brown sugar
- 5ml (1 tsp) Smoked paprika
- 2.5ml (½ tsp) cayenne pepper
Instructions
- Place all the ingredients in a small saucepan.
- Heat the sauce on a low heat until well blended and the sugar has dissolved.
- Use the sauce as a dip or baste with your favourite meat or vegetables.
Notes
- Just check the labels of ingredients on each product you use. There are plenty of gluten-free options available.
- If you can't get hold of peanut oil, check out these peanut oil substitutes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 155
- Sugar: 14.6 g
- Sodium: 533 mg
- Fat: 10.6 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Carbohydrates: 15.9 g
save the recipe to your pinterest board
kim d says
I use it for marinades for chicken or ribs
Kirsteen Mackay says
I love bbq sauce on ribs
Amanda Botterill says
I like bbq sauce on chicken breasts
Alison says
I like it on burgers or sausages
Hannah Thompson says
BBQ sauce with puff pastry pizzas ❤️
Simon Tinsley says
Slapped all over some chicken!!!
Tracy Hanley says
I have BBQ sauce on everything
Gemma Chantler says
On a buttermilk chicken burger with bacon and onion rings
Emma Price says
With pulled pork piled high on top of dirty nachos (with extra sauce on the side for dipping!
sharon martin says
i like is on burgers the most
Mark Allen says
Marinading pork ribs or a lot of slices of belly pork
Michelle Lack says
I love bbq sauce on sweet potato wedges!
Hayley Elvin says
I like bbq sauce on chicken breast with melted cheese
Debbie Preston says
On Hunters chicken and to dip my chips in
Anneka says
I like mine on a stack of ribs! simply stupendous 🤪
Ellen Stafford says
On burgers with chips! Love BBQ sauce!
CAROL PATRICK says
I love BBQ sauce with chicken, just perfectly delicious
Fran H says
On my chicken skewers straight off the barbie!!
Tracey Bean says
on hunters chicken
Pauline Black says
I quite like BBQ sauce as a substitute for tomato sauce on a pizza!
Robyn S says
On top of my favourite bbq pulled pork burgers
Katie Kingsbury says
ON salmon steaks.
Jordan Bentley says
I add it to burgers! and dip my chips in it! YUM!
Jeanette Leighton says
With pork chops and veg .... My partner loves it with ribs ... Fantastic prize 🤗 count me in please
Gary Foster says
28th August 2018 at 9:19 am
Definitely on chicken and chips.
Vicky Allum says
BBQ sauce smothered on crispy chicken on the BBQ, yummy!
Tricia Bingham says
on chicken breasts
Sandra Fortune says
Yummy chicken and fries to dip in it
joanne casey says
With pulled port on crusty cobs with coleslaw ....yum!
Tracey S Anderson says
I love to add BBQ sauce to slow cooked pulled pork 🙂 So yummy!
Adrian Bold says
I love BBQ sauce on burgers or sausages - especially BBQ cooked ones.
Karen says
Smothered over chicken
Heli L says
Ribs or chicken wings. Yum!
Jim Milligan says
i like bbq sauce over a chicken wing, served wih sweet poato fries
Ryan Painter says
pulled pork
Robyn Clarke says
With sweet potato fries and chicken goujons
Christine Hobbs says
On pulled jack fruit in a toasted brioche bun x
Jacki Mactaggart says
Love smothering bangers with delicious bbq sauce.....yum x
sheri Darby says
On everything, but sausages are best
JOANNE ROXBURGH says
i like using them as a glaze on sausages
Amanda Gregory says
I love it on Quorn fillets.
Katie Mcginley says
Hunter's chicken is my favourite way to eat barbecue sauce
charlotte says
i love ribs and onion rings mmm
Laura Pyper says
BBQ pulled pork yum......
greig alan spencer says
i like to dip my meat into it xxx
Gemma Massey says
I love bbq sauce over chicken wrapped in bacon with lots of cheese lik a hunters chicken yummy
Lisa Hall says
I love bb q on everything with loads of cheese
paula cheadle says
I love to keep brushing bbq sauce on my spare ribs whilst they are cooking
Rebecca Alderson says
I love BBQ sauce with pulled pork!
Donna Caldwell says
Bbq pulled pork
Michelle Ferguson says
I like BBQ sauce on pork ribs
JULIE BANKS says
On ribs, yummy
janh says
Over spare ribs and chicken preferably cooked on the bbq
Sarah Mccaffery says
I like to top my burgers with bbq sauce.
Rai says
With sausages and onions. Thanks
Carolyn E says
Love the gluten free bbq sauce recipe. It will be tried on Friday when I am having a party! hope it works well for me.
michelle says
good luck!!!!! 🙂 let me know how it works for you
Romana Richards says
Over anything porky like a good chop or ribs.
Jan COX says
on burgers xx
Kristyn Harris says
I love BBQ sauce on my beef burgers!
James Trubey says
I enjoy it on most things but my favourite is on a scorching summers day
Mark Mccaffery says
I like to dip my fries into it.
Margaret Mccaffery says
I like bbq sauce over ribs.
James Travis says
In a beef burger
laura cooper says
dipping chips into it
Laura Claridge says
Smothered over a chicken breast with bacon on cheese....yummy!!
Richard Eldred Hawes says
I
Richard Eldred Hawes says
I like barbeque sauce best on barbequed spare ribs
claire woods says
Dipping chips into it.
Judith MacInnes says
I love hunter's chicken - lots of melted cheese!
Melissa Lee says
I love BBQ sauce with cheesey jacket potato skins
Lucy says
With BBQ ribs
Sarah S says
I love BBQ sauce on lovely, meaty barbecued ribs. Proper messy, food!
samantha bennett says
I love chips smothered in bbq Sause and cheese grate giveaway
Joanne Billington says
I love bbq sauce on sausages with red onions and peppers.
Tina H says
I love dipping crunchy raw veg into sauces. Black cow vodka is so delicious I love to drinking very cold and neat. I do like the sound of the grapefruit and black pepper cocktail though.
Hayley f says
Im subscribed x
michelle says
welcome Hayley!
Hayley F says
I love it on chicken x
Gillian Mcclelland says
I love BBQ sauce with chicken wings
Lynn Neal says
I like to have barbecue sauce as a dip with potato wedges!
jo liddement says
I enjoy barbecue sauce sauce with a veggie burger and thick chips with the skin on.
Sandra Jo Siddall says
My favourite way to enjoy Barbecue Sauce has to be over chicken breast pieces.
irene gilmour says
with chicken
Lorna Ledger says
Love it on chicken with cheese and bacon, yummy
SarahP says
I like BBQ sauce on vegan beet burgers with some good vegan cheese and garlicky mushrooms!
Jay says
I love bbq sauce on quorn fillets
Michelle Henderson says
Love chicken smothered in bbq sauce
Ruth Harwood says
definitely on a vegi-burger!!
Sammie Richardson says
I love to enjoy barbecue sauce smothered over tender pulled pork.
Abi Birch says
I love to smother chicken in BBQ sauce, fry with mixed peppers and enjoy in Wraps wihh Mayonnaise!
Ellen Sheppard says
I like BBQ sauce pourer over chicken and topped with cheese.
chloe brill says
on a burger
Fay says
I love bbq sauce on my chicken wings
Carole Nott says
Love the taste of barbecue sauce especially on pork steaks
Tracy B says
I've confirmed my subscription to your newsletter. Thank you for the giveaway.
michelle says
Welcome Tracy!
Tracy B says
With pulled pork or to jazz up some chicken breasts
Chris S says
I love Barbecue Sauce on delicious pork sausages
Sheena Batey says
On ribs which makes them into sticky ribs
Anna Campbell says
I LOVE it with pulled pork!!🤤
Angie Mcdonald says
I love Barbecue Sauce over spare ribs!
Caroline B says
Love it on chicken kebabs or chicken breast with cheese
Kim Murray says
Love it with pulled pork x
Joo Dee says
on Chicken
Helen Rosbotham says
I love my BBQ sauce on ribs sticky and delicious 😋
Angela Treadway says
with my chicken breasts for dinner x
Jo F says
On chicken with bacon and cheese
Marie Rungapadiachy says
My favourite way to enjoy it is on some good quality ribs.
Annabel Greaves says
I love it with barbecue chicken
Keith Hunt says
dipping chips in it.
Christina Palmer says
I love it on Belly Of Pork Strips
Mandy Betts says
On spare ribs
jules Eley says
All over a veggie burger...
Susan B says
My favourite way to enjoy BBQ sauce is to add it to dry vegetarian products such as veggie sausages and veggie meat substitutes.
john prendergast says
with slow cooker pulled pork
Helen Arlow says
Has to be with hunters chicken, with sweet potatoes on the side
A S,Edinburgh says
I like it on pizza, but I'm not fussy, really; it's so nice.
Margaret Clarkson says
On pork chops or belly pork
iain maciver says
on chicken and chips
sarah summers says
Bbq sauce and pork yum
Judith Allen says
Baste pork ribs with it, and bake in the oven. I really don't like a smoky taste.
ruth robinson says
i love bbq sauce as a base for pizza and also on pork chops
Rena Plumridge says
On burgers and sausages
pete c says
on a nice steak burger in a seeded brown bun
Zoey P says
Perfect with pulled pork
Sarah Fielding says
Smothered over pulled pork for sure!
Marylyn Hammersley says
With veggie sausages for brunch
katie says
love chicken in bbq sauce with meted sauce
katie says
melted cheese even
Karen Brookes says
On ribs. Definitely going to make this sauce
Tony D says
I love BBQ sauce on haloumi burgers
Chris Andrews says
What is your favourite way to enjoy Barbecue Sauce?
mmmm on whatever my head chef aka hubby is cooking
Mike Ambler says
I love bbq sauce drizzled over chicken with a spoonful of honey and cooked in the oven or the barbie.
William Gould says
I love BBQ sauce on baby back ribs!
Natalie White says
On halloumi burgers!
Tracy Nixon says
I love bbq sauce with roast chicken!
Katherine Lawson says
I love slathering pulled pork with BBQ sauce!
Marion Payne says
Love BBQ sauce on chicken it makes it taste very succulent and delicious
Kelly Hirst says
I love bbq sauce with roast chicken and chips - yum!
Tom Lee says
Just as a dip by the side of all my BBQ meat!
Lisa King says
I like it smothered over chicken breasts and cooked in the oven
Dems Banjo says
Thanks for the recipe. I love BBQ sauce on chicken breast, and i am looking forward to experimenting gluten- free barbecue sauce this summer.
Helen Moulden says
I'm subscribed! I like BBQ sauce just as a dip with sausages and chips. Yum!
Natalie Crossan says
I love mine on my beef burgers - makes them so much more delicious 🙂
Solange says
I love BBQ sauce on burgers.
melanie stirling says
I like it on chicken fillets wrapped in bacon with bbq sauce on top.
Adrian says
Most Worcestershire sauce has barley in it which is definitely not glutee free so please be careful and check the label
Kim Neville says
My favourite is with chicken. nice flavour together
Wise Ways says
On Chicken breast's seems to help keep the chicken lovely & moist too
cheryl hadfield says
I love BBQ sauce on homemade kebabs
sam macaree says
i like bbq sauce on burgers