The Best Sugar-Free BBQ Sauces for Your Labor Day Cookout
Can you believe it is already Labor Day weekend? The summer flew by, but we still have one big grilling weekend left.
While I love using my famous homemade sugar-free BBQ rub on ribs and brisket, sometimes you just need a great sauce to slather on right at the end. The problem is that most standard store-bought BBQ sauces are basically liquid candy. They are packed with high fructose corn syrup and completely derail a low-carb lifestyle.
To save you the hassle of reading the tiny print in the condiment aisle, I put together a round-up of my favorite sugar-free BBQ sauces. I also included exactly what each one is sweetened with so you can make the best choice for your family.
Sweetened with: Sucralose
This is a classic for a reason. G Hughes has practically taken over the sugar-free condiment aisle, and their BBQ sauces have that traditional thick, sticky texture you want for ribs. It comes in a bunch of great flavors like Hickory, Sweet & Spicy, and Mesquite. Because it is sweetened with sucralose, it tastes remarkably close to standard, sugar-heavy BBQ sauce.
Sweetened with: Unsweetened (Relies on organic crushed tomatoes and balsamic vinegar)
If you want to avoid sugar substitutes entirely, Primal Kitchen is the way to go. They do not use any stevia, monk fruit, or artificial sweeteners. Instead, they rely on the natural sweetness of tomatoes and a tangy balsamic vinegar base. It has a savory, smoky flavor that works perfectly on grilled chicken.
Sweetened with: Allulose and Sucralose
Sweet Baby Ray's is a staple at most backyard barbecues. Their "No Sugar Added" line is a fantastic alternative that keeps that iconic flavor profile. They use allulose, which is a rare sugar that does not spike blood glucose, along with a touch of sucralose. It caramelizes beautifully when you brush it on during the last few minutes of grilling.
Sweetened with: Vegetables (Butternut squash, carrots, and tomatoes)
This one takes a completely unique approach. True Made Foods naturally sweetens their sauce using real vegetables like butternut squash and carrots. There are no artificial sweeteners and no sugar alcohols. It is a fantastic option if you prefer clean ingredients and a rich flavor that is not overly sweet.
Sweetened with: Stevia
Rufus Teague makes some incredible barbecue products, and their sugar-free option does not disappoint. It is thick, smoky, and sweetened entirely with stevia. It has a bold, peppery flavor that holds up wonderfully on brisket or burnt ends.
6. Lakanto Sugar-Free BBQ Sauce
Sweetened with: Monk Fruit and Erythritol
Lakanto is well-known for their sweetener blends, and they put them to good use in this sauce. By using a mix of monk fruit extract and erythritol, they achieve a great balance of sweetness and tang without any funky aftertastes.
Enjoy your Labor Day weekend, keep the carbs low, and let me know in the comments which sauce is your favorite!
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