Save money and eat healthier with this quick, easy barbecue sauce

July 1, 2018

barbecue sauce

All too often the versions of barbecue sauce available in the grocery store are full of ingredients that many of us should limit or avoid.  Prepared sauces can also quickly inflate your grocery bill even though they are made of simple ingredients you may already have in your kitchen.

Instead of being tempted into buying that bottled barbecue sauce, make your own using the quick, budget-friendly,and easy recipe I developed.  It works well with chicken, pork, beef, or even shrimp.

Be sure to continue reading after the recipe a the meal tip that can help you figure out what’s for lunch the next day!

barbecue sauce

Spur of the Moment Barbecue Sauce

Save money by making a healthier, quick barbecue sauce for grilling that won't inflate your grocery bill or have you eating ingredients you can't pronounce!
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Cuisine: American
Keyword: barbecue, barbeque, chicken, Cookout, grilling
Calories:
Author: Lisa Garcia, MS, RDN, LD

Ingredients

  • Version 1
  • ½ cup of your favorite tomato sauce or tomato puree
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
  • 2 to 3 large cloves of garlic, minced
  • 1 to 2 teaspoon hot sauce of your choice (optional)
  • Version 2
  • ½ cup of your favorite tomato sauce or tomato puree
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 to 3 large cloves of garlic, minced
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cumin
  • ½ teaspoon sugar or ¼ teaspoon honey
  • 1 to 2 teaspoon hot sauce of your choice (optional)

Instructions

  • Mix all ingredients together. Use as you normally would use barbecue sauce.

Meal idea tip:

Load up some skewers with chunks of non-starchy vegetables and chunks of chicken, lean meat or shrimp. (A good proportion to aim for is 75% vegetables and 25% protein.) Use the sauce below as a grilling sauce.

Make some extra skewers and use them for lunch the next day on a salad, on an appropriate size portion of a whole grain, or in a whole grain wrap or pita pocket.

Bonus tips:

Whenever you have small amounts of leftover tomato sauce or tomato puree, pour it into ice cube trays. Once frozen, store the “tomato cubes” in a freezer bag for up to three months. You can add it to other items you are cooking, or quickly defrost in the microwave to make the above barbecue sauce.

If you have leftover tomato paste, place 1 or 2 tablespoons on to a sheet of plastic wrap. Fold plastic wrap over and gently shape the tomato paste into a log. Finish wrapping in the plastic wrap and store in a freezer bag for up to three months. You can add to other items you are cooking, or quickly defrost in the microwave to make the above barbecue sauce.

 

Lisa-Garcia-registered-dietitian
Lisa Garcia_Name Mark_RDN+Health Coach_Color_1200

Having personally struggled with weight and gut health issues, I understand how easy it is to think that food is the enemy especially with the changes our bodies undergo as we age.  It doesn’t have to be that way!

I love using my extensive education and coach approach to help people realize it is possible to feel better and be healthier while still enjoying their life and food.

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