This tangy Root Beer BBQ Sauce is the perfect sauce for any barbecue meat. It is gluten, dairy and top 8 free.
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Why We Like This Recipe
We love this Root Beer BBQ Sauce. It is the perfectly sweet yet tangy mix for ribs, pork chops, BBQ chicken, and burgers. Use it to brush on meat as it cooks or to marinade before cooking and to tenderise the meat.
Ingredients
- Root Beer Soda
- Tomato Sauce
- Apple Cider Vinegar
- Tomato Paste
- Coconut Aminos
- Lemon Juice
- Sugar
- Garlic Powder
- Onion Powder
- Pepper
- Salt
- Turmeric, ground
See recipe card for quantities.
The Ingredient Low Down
Root Beer Soda
Use whichever kind is cheapest with the best taste. It will be reduced down and is used to add flavour and sweetness to the sauce.
Tomato Sauce
Tinned sauces without added spices works best.
Lemon Juice
Freshly squeezed is best in this recipe.
Instructions/Directions and Tips
Step 1
Mix all the ingredients in a medium pot and whisk to combine.
Step 2
Over medium heat bring the sauce to a simmer. Stir often.
Step 3
Reduce the liquid in the pot by half.
Step 4
Let the sauce cool.
Hint: The tangy root beer BBQ sauce will thicken slightly as it cools, when reducing it will thicken after cooling and when chilled.
Substitutions in the Root Beer BBQ Sauce
- Apple Cider Vinegar - If it is not safe for you or you find the taste too strong with ACV, a different safe vinegar can be used. Malt vinegar is not recommended as it contains barley and is not considered gluten free in some countries. For some white vinegar is safe and for others it is not. Spirit Vinegar, wine vinegars, rice vinegar and balsamic may be safe, always double check.
- Different Sodas - A proper tart Ginger Beer, a cola, or fizzy lemon lime soda, cream soda (the non pink one) can all be used in place of root beer for a still sweet but slightly different flavour.
- Vegan - the recipe is vegan, make sure to use organic vegan sugar and root beer with vegan sugar, as well. This root beer BBQ sauce can be used on black bean patties, or to marinade carrots when cooked similar to a hot dog. It can also be used on a top 8 allergen friendly meat substitute product.
Variations/Adaptations
- Spicy - add a dash of cayenne pepper or your favourite cooking hot sauce. Like Frank’s Red Hot Sauce.
- Tomato Free - Instead of tomato paste and tomato sauce use pureed pumpkin to make this sauce. It will change the flavour slightly as the pumpkin is less acidic.
- Gluten and Wheat Free Beer or Cider - The root beer can be replaced with a gluten free beer or cider or even non- alcoholic GF beer or cider. Make sure the beer you use is wheat free and not just gluten free. Most gluten free beers guarantee they are only 20 ppm or less, not completely gluten free. There are some micro breweries like Heathen’s Brewing in Calgary, Canada that make dedicated gluten free beer. The beer and cider will not be as sweet a liquid as using root beer to balance this use up to ¼ C brown sugar in the mix. It will need to be to taste and bear in mind that as the sauce cooks the sugars will come out more.
Equipment
There is very little needed in the way of equipment for this root beer BBQ sauce recipe. A pot to cook it in, something to stir the sauce with, measuring cups and spoons, and a jar or container to eventually store it in.
Storage
-Fridge
Store in a jar or well sealing container in the fridge. It will keep for 14 days in the fridge.
-Freezer
In a well sealing container this sauce will keep in the freezer for up to 3 months. It may separate in the freezer and once thawed may need to be blended or whisked slightly to remix. Do not store it in a glass jar if it will be frozen as the glass may break.
Reheating
Our root beer BBQ sauce works well when put on chilled and heated on the meat as it cooks. This will bring out the most sweetness and flavour in the sauce. To reheat this sauce put it on the meat, then cook it as per the recipe that is being followed to cook the meat.
Top Tip
Excellent as a marinade for steaks, chops, and ribs for 2 hours up to overnight. This will imbue the meat with the most flavour possible and the vinegar in the root beer BBQ sauce will help to tenderise the meat.
What To Serve With
Use this tangy root beer BBQ sauce on beef, pork, chicken or lamb. It is the right sweet and tangy for any of these meats when barbecued or roasted. Our favourites are on a steak or our root beer BBQ ribs. Root beer BBQ sauce is also a great dipping sauce for homemade chicken tenders and nuggets. Try slathering it on our egg-less meatloaf or our egg free turkey meatballs for variety.
Other Recipes You May Enjoy
📖 Recipe
Root beer BBQ Sauce
Equipment
- MediumPot
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Whisk
Ingredients
- 2 C Root Beer Soda
- 21 oz can Tomato Sauce
- ½ C Apple Cider Vinegar
- ¼ C Tomato Paste
- 2 Tbsps Coconut Aminos
- 2 Tbsps Lemon Juice
- 1 tablespoon Sugar
- 2 tsps Garlic Powder
- 2 tsps Onion Powder
- 2 tsps Pepper
- 1 tsps Salt
- ½ teaspoon Turmeric ground
Instructions
- Mix all the ingredients in a medium pot and whisk to combine.
- Over medium heat bring the sauce to a simmer. Stir often.
- Reduce the liquid in the pot by half.
- Let the sauce cool.
Notes
2- It will keep for up to 14 days in the fridge
Nutrition
Food Safety
We sometimes take for granted that we have years (or decades) of cooking experience, that the average visitor may not. Add to, or remove from, the list below with health and safety tips.
- Never store the sauce in a glass container in the fridge
- Contact the manufacturer of products, regarding cross contact and ingredients, to ensure they are safe for you
- Always check ingredients for allergens
- Do not use the same utensils on allergen free food, that previously touched allergens
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Never leave cooking food unattended
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove
See more guidelines at USDA.gov.
Have you made this recipe? Please leave a comment and us know how much you liked it.