BBQ Sauce

The Secret to Our Vegan BBQ Sauce

You’d never guess this rich, smoky BBQ sauce is completely plant-based! We created this recipe because we believe everyone should be able to enjoy incredible flavors, regardless of dietary preferences. The secret? We’ve replaced traditional Worcestershire sauce (which contains anchovies) with a combination of soy sauce and balsamic vinegar that delivers that same deep, umami-rich complexity.

What makes this sauce work for everyone is our careful balance of ingredients. The soy sauce provides that savory depth usually found in fish-based sauces, while the balsamic vinegar adds the tangy complexity. Combined with liquid smoke and smoked paprika, you get all the smoky, sweet, and savory notes you crave in a BBQ sauce – without any animal products.

This sauce is perfect for our pizza parties because it works for vegans, vegetarians, and meat-eaters alike. Nobody feels left out, and honestly, most people can’t tell the difference!

About This Recipe Size

This recipe makes a generous 5 cups of BBQ sauce - that’s enough for multiple pizza parties! We scale it up because we’re catering events, but for home cooking, you might want to halve all the ingredients. A half batch will give you about 2.5 cups, which is perfect for a family and will still last weeks in the fridge. Trust us, once you taste this sauce, you’ll want to have it on hand for everything from pizza nights to weekend grilling sessions.

Ingredients

• 1000g store-bought tomato sauce (about 4 cups)
• 90g brown sugar (about ½ cup packed)
• 60g apple cider vinegar (about ¼ cup)
• 20g soy sauce (about 1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon)
• 12g balsamic vinegar (about 2 teaspoons)
• 30g Dijon mustard (about 2 tablespoons)
• 5g smoked paprika (about 1 teaspoon)
• 3g garlic powder (about 1 teaspoon)
• 3g onion powder (about 1 teaspoon)
• 1.5g ground cumin (about ½ teaspoon)
• 1.5g white pepper (about ½ teaspoon)
• 4g liquid smoke (about 1 teaspoon)

Instructions

1. Combine all ingredients in a medium saucepan. Whisk everything together until well combined and smooth.

2. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.

3. Reduce heat to low and let the sauce simmer gently for 10 minutes, stirring every few minutes. The sauce should thicken slightly and the flavors will meld together beautifully.

4. Taste and adjust if needed. Want it smokier? Add a bit more liquid smoke. Prefer it sweeter? Add a touch more brown sugar.

5. Cool completely before transferring to sauce bottles or airtight containers.

Chef’s Tips

• Liquid smoke is your secret weapon: This ingredient is what gives the sauce its authentic BBQ smokiness without needing to fire up a smoker. If you can’t find it locally, it’s easily available online and a little goes a long way!
• Make it ahead: This sauce actually tastes better after sitting for a day or two as the flavors develop.
• Storage: Keeps in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
• Consistency: If you prefer a thicker sauce, simmer for a few extra minutes. For a thinner consistency, add a tablespoon of water.
• Spice it up: Add a pinch of cayenne or chipotle powder for some heat.

Perfect For

• Pizza sauce base (especially for our specialty pizzas!)
• Grilling marinades and glazes
• Dipping sauce for appetizers
• Burger and sandwich spread
• Roasted vegetable glaze