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Tangy, sweet, spicy, smoky—these 15 Vegan BBQ Sauce Brands are the perfect store-bought vegan sauces to keep in your pantry for easy meals year round. Whether you prefer Carolina Gold, Kansas City, Texas style BBQ sauces or something else, you’ll find a few new favorites below!
While most people associate BBQ sauce with summer, BBQ sauce is delicious enough to use year round and can instantly add a boost of flavor to virtually any dish.
With this list of vegan BBQ sauce brands in your back pocket, you can feel confident you're purchasing a store-bought BBQ sauce made with vegan-friendly ingredients and add big flavor to your mealswithoutfiring up the grill!
In this post hide
1. Non-Vegan Ingredients in BBQ Sauce
2. Is Sugar Vegan?
3. Different Types of BBQ Sauce
4. How to Use Vegan BBQ Sauce
5. Where to Find Plant Based BBQ Sauce
6. Vegan BBQ Sauce Brands
7. Primal Kitchen Hawaiian Style BBQ Sauce
8. My Top Pick!
9. Stubb’s Barbecue Sauce
10. Annie’s Barbecue Sauce
11. Heinz Barbecue Sauce
12. Kraft Slow Simmered BBQ Sauce
13. Jack Daniels Original BBQ Sauce
14. Sweet Baby Ray’s Original BBQ Sauce
15. Trader Joe’s Organic Kansas City Style BBQ Sauce
16. Bachan's Japanese Barbecue Sauce
18. Organicville Original BBQ Sauce
19. Good Food for Good BBQ Sauce
20. Fody Foods BBQ Sauce
21. G Hughes Smokehouse Sugar-Free BBQ Sauce
22. Guy’s Award Winning BBQ Sauce
23. Vegan BBQ Recipes You'll Love
Non-Vegan Ingredients in BBQ Sauce
Now, you may know that I love makingvegan BBQ sauce, but sometimes I don't have the time or energy to make my own from scratch. That’s where store-bought barbecue sauce comes in! And while many store-bought sauces are made with plant-based ingredients, they can contain non-vegan ingredients you'll need to watch out for! These animal-derived ingredients include:
- Honey
- Fish sauce (more common in Asian BBQ sauces)
- Worcestershire sauce (often contains anchovies)
- Mayonnaise (often used in Alabama “white” BBQ sauce)
- Butter
- Cream
- Gelatin (sometimes used as a thickening agent)
- Artificial colors (specifically carmine or red40)
Is Sugar Vegan?
For sweetness, brands typically use common ingredients like high fructose corn syrup, brown sugar, molasses, maple syrup, or cane sugar.
Some strict vegans avoid non-organic white sugar due to its use of bone char (ground animal bones) in the sugar refining process,however, I am not one of those people.
Organic sugars and organic BBQ sauces can be significantly more expensive than non-organic sugars and BBQ sauces and is not affordable for many. In order to make a plant-based diet as accessible as possible, I don't worry about the processing of sugar.
Instead, I believe in focusing on a diet that is a centered around plants as possible. Don't let the finite details make this stressful, expensive, or complicated for you or your family.
For a deeper read on this controversial topic, read this incredible article from Michelle at World of Vegan:Is Sugar Vegan? Let's Settle This Debate Once and For All.
Different Types of BBQ Sauce
Despite this, there are all kinds of BBQ sauces out there, and it’s not hard to find a vegan one, even in a small, local grocery store. BBQ sauce varies widely across different regions of the United States, each with its own distinctive flavors and ingredients. Below is a quick reference list of some of the most well-known regional styles of BBQ sauce. Depending on your taste buds, let this list help you choose a style to look for!
- Kansas City BBQ Sauce:This BBQ sauce is tomato based, smoky BBQ sauce and is typically sweet and tangy with a molasses or brown sugar base.
- Texas BBQ Sauce:Tomato-based or vinegar-based. It's thinner than traditional BBQ sauce and more tangy and acidic tasting.
- Carolina BBQ Sauce:A mustard and vinegar-based BBQ sauce that's typically on the spicier side!
- Memphis BBQ Sauce:Tomato-based BBQ sauce that can range from mild to extra hot.
How to Use Vegan BBQ Sauce
These BBQ sauce brands will all work great with your favorite vegan foods likeBBQ tempeh,vegan lentil meatloaf,Beyond Meat meatloaf, plant-based burgers, or with any of these favoritevegan BBQ recipes.
You can also use your favorite vegan barbecue sauce with roasted veggies and a grain likeInstant Pot quinoaorInstant Pot brown ricefor a very simple and wholesome meal. Maybe serve it as a dipping sauce with vegan nuggets, air fryersweet potato wedges, orair fryer Brussels sprouts.
BBQ sauce is often used as a marinade in Texas. You could marinate tofu, tempeh, seitan, or even beans in barbecue sauce for a flavor-packed meal later in the day.
Where to Find Plant Based BBQ Sauce
You can find vegan and plant based BBQ sauces at most major grocery stores nowadays including big box stores like Walmart, Target, and Amazon Fresh. Also, most larger grocery stores in your area such as Albertsons, Safeway, HEB, Wegmans, Jewel-Osco, and Giant Eagle should have a good variety to choose from.
Specialty stores like Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s, and local health food retailers also usually carry at least a few brands of plant based barbecue sauce. You can also purchase BBQ sauce online from retailers like Amazon, Thrive Market, and Vitacost.
You can alwaysmake your own Vegan BBQ Sauceif you can’t find any, but it is a good idea to keep a couple bottles of plant-based barbecue sauce in your cupboard at all times for those just-in-case moments when you don’t feel like cooking or need something quick and easy. Check out thisultimate vegan pantry staples listfor more items to keep your pantry stocked.
Vegan BBQ Sauce Brands
The vegan BBQ sauce brands below are the top brands, but by no means a complete list ofallthe vegan barbecue sauces out there. Many of these brands can be found at common grocery stores such as Walmart, Target, Albertsons, Safeway, Wegmans, Grocery Outlet, and more.
Many brands can also be found online, sometimes at a discount. When I find a brand I enjoy, I like to stock up on a few (especially when they're on sale!) since most are shelf stable (unopened) for a year or so.
Primal Kitchen Hawaiian Style BBQ Sauce
Vegan, keto, Whole30, and paleo diet-approved,Primal Kitchen Hawaiian Style BBQ Saucerelies on main ingredients like pineapple juice, coconut aminos, date paste, and tomato puree to make a delicious plant based barbecue sauce without any refined sugars.
It’s sweet, tangy and smoky and does not sacrifice any flavor even though it is made with wholesome, healthy ingredients.
I purchase this BBQ sauce at my local grocery outlet for a major discount and keep it on hand in my pantry at all times! Primal Kitchen also offers other varieties of BBQ sauce including: Unsweetened Classic BBQ Sauce (this one is not my favorite), Mango Jalapeño BBQ Sauce, Golden BBQ Sauce, and Korean Style BBQ Sauce.
Stubb’s Barbecue Sauce
Founded by restaurateur and veteran Christopher B. Stubblefield,Stubb’s Barbecue Sauceis delicious and nearly all flavors of it are vegan. The only two exceptions are the Sweet Honey & Spice and Smokey Mesquite (both contain honey).
The vegan flavors include Original (a tangy flavored BBQ sauce), Sweet Heat, Dr. Pepper, and Hickory Bourbon. Stubb’s Barbecue Sauce can be found in most mainstream grocery stores and online.
Annie’s Barbecue Sauce
Annie’s Barbecue Saucescan be challenging to find (try Whole Foods, your local health food store, or an online retailer) but are certified vegan and organic. You can also purchase Annie’s Barbecue Sauce online, if preferred!
Heinz Barbecue Sauce
It may be a surprise that all the flavors ofHeinz Barbecue Sauceare suitable for a vegan diet. These flavors include Original Sweet & Thick, Carolina Vinegar Style Sweet & Tangy, Kansas City Style Sweet & Smoky, Carolina Mustard Style Sweet Mustard, and Texas Style Bold & Spicy.
These BBQ sauces are easy to find and come in a convenient squeeze bottle.
Kraft Slow Simmered BBQ Sauce
Another easy-to-find brand,Kraft Slow Simmered BBQ Saucescan be found in most grocery stores and online. There are four flavors of Kraft BBQ sauce that are vegan: Original, Hickory Smoke, Sweet & Spicy, and Sweet Brown Sugar.
These thick sauces are great for dipping vegan nuggets into or slathered over your favorite plant based protein or veggies. Avoid the Mesquite Smoke, Sweet Honey, or Spicy Honey flavors as they are not vegan.
Jack Daniels Original BBQ Sauce
There are two flavors ofJack Daniels BBQ Saucethat are vegan: Original flavor and Sweet and Spicy. These BBQ sauces contain the flavor of Jack Daniels (but the sauces themselves contain no alcohol) and are sweet and rich in flavor.
Avoid the Jack Daniels Honey BBQ Sauce flavor as it does contain real honey. Jack Daniels Original BBQ Sauce and Jack Daniels Sweet and Spicy BBQ Sauce can be found in most grocery stores and online.
Sweet Baby Ray’s Original BBQ Sauce
One of the least expensive BBQ sauces,Sweet Baby Ray’sBBQ sauce is easy to find and has that authentic BBQ flavor. In fact, most of their flavor line up is vegan including Brown Sugar, Hickory, No Sugar Added, and Sweet Golden Mustard.
For any other flavors, remain vigilant about reading labels. You should be able to find Sweet Baby Ray’s in any grocery store. I’ve even seen it at discount stores like Aldi and convenience stores like 7-Eleven.
Trader Joe’s Organic Kansas City Style BBQ Sauce
Tangy, sweet, smoky, and a little spicy,Trader Joe's all-organic BBQ sauceis budget-friendly and easy to find (if you have a Trader Joe’s nearby). This plant based barbecue sauce works well as a marinade or served at the table as a condiment.
Bachan's Japanese Barbecue Sauce
Coming in with a flavor bomb,Bachan’s Japanese Barbecue Saucesare flavorful and come in a convenient squeeze bottle. This line of BBQ sauce is vegan, small batch, cold-filled, non GMO, and preservative free.
You should be able to find all three flavors (Original, Yuzu, and Hot & Spicy) in most grocery stores—I’ve even seen them at Walmart.
Bibigo Korean BBQ Marinade & Sauce
Along those same lines, if you’ve never made your own Korean BBQ, tryBibigo Korean BBQ Marinade & Sauceto remedy that.
Korean pear, apple, sesame, ginger, green onion, and cooking rice wine make up the unique and delicious flavor profile of this awesome vegan Korean BBQ sauce. Looking for more of a kick? Try their Hot & Spicy flavor.
Organicville Original BBQ Sauce
If you’re looking for another all-organic version, try Organicville Original BBQ Sauce. Sweetened with agave nectar instead of honey, this sweet, spicy, and smoky plant based barbecue sauce is perfect for all yourvegan BBQ recipes. FindOrganicvillein your area using their store locator or purchase online.
Good Food for Good BBQ Sauce
Looking for a whole food plant based option? TryGood Food for Good BBQ Sauce, which comes in two varieties: Classic and Sweet & Spicy. Produced by a certified B-corp, this do-gooder company also makes a good-for-you product.
Both flavors of this plant based barbecue sauce are sweetened only with dates and are made without oil or other heavily-processed ingredients. This is one you’ll probably have to buy online.
Fody Foods BBQ Sauce
Low-FODMAP and looking for a vegan BBQ Sauce? TryFody Foodsfour BBQ sauces that are both plant based and low-FODMAP certified. Their four vegan-friendly flavors include Original, Maple, Chipotle (Unsweetened), and Korean. They can be found in many grocery stores and online.
G Hughes Smokehouse Sugar-Free BBQ Sauce
If you need a sugar-free option that’s delicious yet still easy to find, try G Hughes Smokehouse. This brand has eight vegan flavors including Mesquite, Hickory, Carolina Gold, Original, a Honey flavor that doesn’t actually contain honey, and more.
You can find at least a few flavors ofG Hughes Smokehouse Sugar Free BBQ Saucein most grocery stores.
Guy’s Award Winning BBQ Sauce
Need more sugar-free options?Guy’s Award Winning BBQ Saucecomes in 6 flavors including two unique styles: Smokey Garlic BBQ Sauce and Smokey Bacon BBQ Sauce (which does not contain bacon!). These flavorful vegan BBQ sauces are low carb and are available in many stores and online.
Vegan BBQ Recipes You'll Love
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