Homemade Whole30 BBQ Sauce | PALEO

The ultimate Whole30 compliant BBQ sauce that's made from scratch super quick & easy in the blender, then simmered to finger lickin' perfection.  Slather it on chops or ribs, spread a layer on your grass-fed burgers, or use it as a dip for potato wedges.  

I often set out to create a recipe that's a Whole30 compliant or "Paleo-fied" version of the real deal that I love.  For example:  chocolate chip cookies.  I know that a squeaky clean Paleo version is not going to be the same as a break-apart Nestle cookie dough I could buy at the store (and love).  But knowing exactly which ingredients are going into my cookies, and being able to create a healthy version that I don't have to feel guilty about?  It's worth the trade off.

And while I love those kinds of recipes that basically "dupe" my non-healthy favs...  the ultimate satisfaction comes when the healthy version turns out better than the original.  Now you're probably thinking:  "Paleo cookies better than the real deal?  Probably not gonna happen..."  And you're most likely right.

But when it comes to savory dishes & sauces- healthy can so often turn out even better than the usual.

Take this BBQ sauce.

I'm not always a huge sauce/dressing fan- but I know what I like when it comes to my BBQ sauce, because it's one condiment that I love.  My favorite?  Slightly sweet, a little underlying heat, and a little smokey.  Not too thin & runny, but not thick and tomato-paste-ish either.  I want it to be that in between texture that can be spread over chicken or ribs with a brush, but also perfect for dipping some potato wedges or slathering on a burger.

Are you hungry yet?!

So after quite a few half-hearted attempts at making my own sauce, and then a day spent obsessing & perfecting those old scribbled down recipes... IT'S HERE.  A Whole30 compliant BBQ sauce with that perfect sweet heat, a pinch of acidity, and a touch of smokey flavor that literally beats any store bought sauce I've tried.  It's sweetened with a few dates & a little orange juice, and has all the flavor you'll ever need.

I hope you give this finger-lickin', yet squeaky clean, sauce a shot-- and then come back to let me know what you think!  It's the start of football season, so perfect timing to give it a try (if you ask me!)

Ingredients:

• 15 oz tomato sauce
• 1/4 cup coconut aminos
• 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
• 1/4 cup orange juice
• 2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 4 pitted Medjool dates (soaked in warm water then drained)
• 1 tsp each:
• salt
• smoked paprika
• chili powder
• garlic powder
• onion powder
• Dijon mustard
• 1/2 tsp each:
• cayenne pepper
• black pepper
• cinnamon

Directions:

1. Place all of the ingredients in a blender and pulse until smooth.
2. Pour the sauce into a medium saucepan, and bring to a soft boil.  Reduce to a simmer, and cook uncovered for 10 to 15 minutes to allow the sauce to reduce and the flavors to combine.
3. Allow the sauce to cool, then store refrigerated in an airtight container.

*Notes:

• If you are not making this on a Whole30 and don't have dates on hand, substitute 1/4 cup of maple syrup or coconut sugar.
• This should store well in the fridge for about 1 week.