Vegan BBQ Sauce Recipe
When it comes to mastering the art of vegan cooking, it all comes down to ingredients and flavor. Once you’ve invested in the proper ingredients– fresh veggies, quality vegan protein options, delicious dairy alternatives– all that’s left is fine-tuning combinations. What better place to start as winter fades into warm weather than a vegan BBQ sauce recipe?
At Willow, we take pride in taking homey, wholesome meals and then elevating them into something wholly original. Our professionally trained chefs draw inspiration from worldwide flavors to present vegan, cruelty-free options fit for any dinner guest to enjoy. With help from their at-home recipes, you can now present the same accessibility in your own home!
To find out more about what Willow is serving up, explore our full menu. Rather sample the flavors for yourself? Step into our location in hip Chelsea, or place an order for pickup/delivery using our easy online ordering system.
Is BBQ Sauce Vegan?
When people begin experimenting with the possibilities of a cruelty-free lifestyle, they may hear a lot about “accidentally vegan” foods. These are foods that– through little more than a happy accident– are successfully made without using animal products.
This leaves many wondering: is BBQ sauce vegan?
The answer is usually a bit more complex than it may initially appear.
Though it is possible to find vegan BBQ sauce, simply trusting that every sauce on the grocery store shelves is cruelty-free may be misguided. While many popular BBQ sauce brands naturally veer towards rich, tomato-based flavor, others tend to rely on a few ingredients most vegans find problematic; including honey and worcestershire sauce.
Honey is a bit more of a predictable ingredient. Still, even experienced vegans may be surprised to hear about the inclusion of worcestershire sauce in many prepackaged BBQ sauces. With anchovies as one of the primary ingredients in this sauce, anyone hoping to follow a cruelty-free lifestyle would be better steering far clear of any BBQ sauce with this in the ingredient list.
As you peruse the ingredients list, also be aware of any sauce listing “natural flavors” amongst the ingredients. Though this typically means “liquid smoke,” a completely vegan ingredient, manufacturers often use this as a cover for ingredients they are not legally required to list. These ingredients may not wholly align with your moral values!
Vegan BBQ Sauce Recipe
Though it is completely fine to pull a BBQ sauce from the shelves, there is no safer way to guarantee your sauce aligns with your cruelty-free values than by making it!
This simple sauce is smoky and tangy, with a subtle sweetness that will leave every guest at your dinner table impressed. Best of all, it keeps in the refrigerator for at least two months. For only fifteen or twenty minutes of effort, you can easily create the ideal vegan BBQ sauce for your veggies, grilled tempeh, or tofu for months to come!
Ingredients
| 1 cup of organic ketchup 5 tablespoons of maple syrup 2 tablespoons of soy sauce 3 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar 1 tablespoon of molasses 1 tablespoon of brown sugar 1 tablespoon of vegan Worchestire sauce | 1 tablespoon of liquid smoke 2 tablespoons of smoked paprika 1 teaspoon of black pepper 1 teaspoon of chili powder 1/2 teaspoon of onion powder 1 pinch of cayenne powder (to taste) |
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a mixing bowl. Using a fork, quickly whisk until all ingredients are thoroughly combined. Sample the preliminary sauce and adjust flavors as necessary. For more spice, add a pinch of cayenne powder; for more sweetness, alternatively, add a pinch of brown sugar.
- Pour your mixture into a saucepan and slowly bring to medium heat, stirring occasionally. Heat for at least five to ten minutes. As the sauce heats, sample and continue to adjust flavors as necessary.
- Once your sauce has fully heated, portion it into airtight containers and prepare for storage.
Wholesome Flavors at Willow NYC
Looking for another way to sample your favorite bistro classics? Look no further than Willow in NYC!
Choose from all the crowd-pleasing options on our full menu, including:
- Cauliflower wings made from panko-crusted cauliflower and served in a choice of BBQ sauce or buffalo sauce
- Cheeseburger sliders served with the classic lettuce, tomato, “cheddar,” and pickles on a brioche bun
- Vegan BBQ ribs coated in a housemade BBQ glaze and served alongside hand-cut fries and garlic broccolini
Don’t wait and wonder; check out all the options for yourself! Explore our full menu for inspiration on your next favorite vegan meal. To experience Willow, come down and enjoy a meal in the comfortable environment of our hip Chelsea restaurant, or place a to-go order and let us bring the flavor to you.
