5 Gourmet Vegan BBQ Sauce Recipes to Elevate Your Plant-Based Grilling

A great vegan BBQ experience hinges on one thing: an unforgettable sauce. Whether you’re slathering it on smoked jackfruit, grilled portobellos, or crispy tofu, these five unique vegan BBQ sauces will transform your cookouts from basic to brilliant.

Each recipe offers a distinct flavor profile, pro chef secrets, and clever hacks to make your vegan BBQ the talk of the summer.

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1. Smoked Cherry & Bourbon BBQ Sauce

🔥 Flavor Profile: Sweet-Smoky-With a Kick**
⏳ Prep Time: 25 mins | 🍶 Yield: 2 cups

Ingredients:

• 1 cup fresh cherries (pitted)
• ½ cup bourbon
• 1 tbsp smoked paprika
• ¼ cup maple syrup
• 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 1 tsp liquid smoke

Method:

1. Simmer cherries and bourbon until reduced by half.
2. Blend with remaining ingredients until smooth.
3. Simmer 15 mins to thicken.

💡 Pro Tip: Use frozen cherries off-season—they retain more flavor than out-of-season fresh ones.

🍽️ Pair With: Smoked tempeh ribs or grilled eggplant.

📚 Inspired by: Southern Living’s Ultimate Book of BBQ (vegan adaptation)

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2. Korean Gochujang BBQ Sauce

🌶️ Flavor Profile: Spicy-Umami-Sweet**
⏳ Prep Time: 10 mins | 🍶 Yield: 1.5 cups

Ingredients:

• 3 tbsp gochujang paste
• 2 tbsp rice vinegar
• 1 tbsp sesame oil
• ¼ cup agave
• 1 tsp grated ginger

Method:

1. Whisk all ingredients in a bowl.
2. Thin with water if needed.

💡 Pro Tip: For extra depth, add 1 tsp fermented black bean paste.

🍽️ Pair With: Grilled king oyster mushrooms or tofu skewers.

📚 Inspired by: Korean Vegan Cookbook by Joanne Lee Molinaro

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3. Coffee & Molasses BBQ Sauce

☕ Flavor Profile: Rich-Bitter-Sweet**
⏳ Prep Time: 20 mins | 🍶 Yield: 2 cups

Ingredients:

• ½ cup strong brewed coffee
• ¼ cup blackstrap molasses
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
• 1 tsp chipotle powder

Method:

1. Simmer coffee and molasses until syrupy.
2. Stir in remaining ingredients.

💡 Pro Tip: Use cold brew concentrate for smoother bitterness.

🍽️ Pair With: Jackfruit pulled “pork” or grilled seitan.

📚 Inspired by: The BBQ Bible by Steven Raichlen (veganized)

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4. Pineapple-Tamarind BBQ Sauce

🍍 Flavor Profile: Tropical-Tangy-Sticky**
⏳ Prep Time: 15 mins | 🍶 Yield: 2 cups

Ingredients:

• 1 cup fresh pineapple (blended)
• 2 tbsp tamarind paste
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp cayenne

Method:

1. Reduce pineapple purée by half.
2. Mix in remaining ingredients.

💡 Pro Tip: Char pineapple first for caramelized depth.

🍽️ Pair With: Grilled tofu or coconut-glazed veggies.

📚 Inspired by: Caribbean Vegan by Taymer Mason

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5. White BBQ Sauce (Alabama-Style)

⚪ Flavor Profile: Creamy-Tangy-Herby**
⏳ Prep Time: 5 mins | 🍶 Yield: 1.5 cups

Ingredients:

• 1 cup vegan mayo
• ¼ cup lemon juice
• 1 tbsp horseradish
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 2 tbsp chopped dill

Method:

1. Whisk all ingredients until smooth.

💡 Pro Tip: Let sit overnight—the flavors intensify!

🍽️ Pair With: Grilled cauliflower steaks or crispy chick’n.

📚 Inspired by: Big Bob Gibson’s BBQ Book (plant-based adaptation)

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Vegan BBQ Sauce Pro Tips

🔥 Flavor Hacks:

• Smoke It: Add ½ tsp liquid smoke to any sauce.
• Glaze Like a Pro: Brush on in the last 5 mins of grilling to avoid burning.
• Spice Control: For milder heat, replace cayenne with smoked paprika.

🧴 Storage & Shelf Life:

• Fridge: 2 weeks in airtight jars.
• Freezer: 3 months (sans mayo-based sauces).

🍽️ Serving Ideas Beyond Grilling:

• Dip for crispy tofu nuggets
• Pizza base instead of tomato sauce
• Salad dressing (thin with vinegar)

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Why These Vegan BBQ Sauces Stand Out

Sauce	Unique Twist	Best For
Smoked Cherry	Fruit + booze	Bold flavors
Gochujang	Fermented heat	Asian-inspired BBQ
Coffee	Bitter balance	Rich, hearty dishes
Pineapple	Tropical tang	Sweet & spicy combos
White Sauce	Creamy alternative	“Alabama-style” eats

Final Thought: A great vegan BBQ sauce can make or break your dish—these five recipes ensure you’ll never settle for store-bought again.

Which will you try first? Tag your creations with #VeganBBQMagic!

📚 Sources:

• The BBQ Bible by Steven Raichlen (adapted)
• Korean Vegan Cookbook by Joanne Lee Molinaro
• America’s Test Kitchen: Vegan for Everybody
• Interviews with pitmaster-trained vegan chefs

Want More? Grab our “10-Minute Vegan BBQ Marinades” next🍖🔥

P.S. For smokier depth, try roasting spices before blending!

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