Summer is coming and with that comes the constant smell of something grilling. However, for those living a ketogenic diet, it may seem as if boring grilled bites are in the future. Not so. As keto has caught on as a healthy lifestyle, as has paleo and Whole30, a plethora of products have entered the marketplace to ensure the flavors you crave won’t have to be flavors you missed. And one of these flavors is the big, bold taste of barbecue sauce.
But that’s not saying all barbecue sauces are created equal. We scoped out all of the barbecue sauces on the market that are keto-approved—from classic flavors to specific styles—and put together a list of the best keto-friendly BBQ sauce for you to add to your shopping cart as grilling season heats up.
Primal Kitchen Classic BBQ Sauce, $4.79 at Target
Primal Kitchen
A cult classic, Primal Kitchen has been on the cutting edge of healthy living for years. Its classic barbecue sauce has the bold flavor that those on keto may be missing from their lives, thanks in part to cumin and chipotle powder. It can be used as a marinade and dipping sauce for all sorts of meat, as well as added to ribs and chicken wings in the last few minutes of grilling for a flavor boost. The product is organic, too.Buy Now
Primal Kitchen Golden BBQ Sauce, $4.79 at Target
Primal Kitchen
Different than the classic sauce, Primal Kitchen’s golden BBQ sauce mimics mustard-based South Carolina barbecue sauce and omits the smoke for a sweet and tangy flavor instead. Recommended for pulled pork and veggies, it also makes the perfect dipping sauce for grilled chicken strips.Buy Now
Primal Kitchen 3-Pack: Classic BBQ, Golden BBQ, and Steak Sauce, $20.89 on Amazon
Try both Primal Kitchen BBQ sauces, plus their steak sauce, with this variety pack.
Tessemae’s Matty’s Organic BBQ Sauce, 2 for $19.95 on Amazon
Tessamae’s
This condiment is everything you would expect from a barbecue sauce. It’s sweet, spicy, and tangy all at once. Containing no refined sugar (the sweetness comes mostly from dates), this product complements any cut of meat that’s ready for grilling season, and can add even more flavor to grilled vegetables as well.Buy Now
Zero Sugar Carolina Barbeque Sauce, $6.99 at Lillie’s Q
Lillie’s Q
Love North Carolina-style barbecue? Lillie’s Q created as close a match as possible to the real thing, except this one has no sugar added. Dubbed Western Carolina Tomato, the sauce has a slight tang to it, just like vinegary Carolina BBQ sauce should. The brand recommends using this on pulled pork, brisket, and smoked chicken.Buy Now
Make Your Own
Have a few minutes? You can make your own low-carb, sugar-free barbecue sauce with just a few keto-friendly ingredients, including mustard, apple cider vinegar, tomato paste, and a few spices. In fact, making your own gives you a chance to develop the sauce to your liking, which can make being keto an easier pill to swallow.
M Kitchen World Silicone Basting Brush, 2 for $6.99
Whatever sauce you choose, slather it on with this heat-resistant brush.
Read More: The Ultimate Guide to BBQ & Grilling
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