Recipe: Sweet and Savory Keto-Friendly Barbecue Sauce

It's Labor Day weekend here in America, and I decided to celebrate by being a sloth. I went off my diet and exercise regimen and sat around watching Netflix and eating bad food - chips, half a box of Little Debbie Nutty Buddys, microwave popcorn - with butter! - peanut-butter and jelly...I recall there being thick-cut, fried bacon in there somewhere, as well. My body rewarded me by dropping 3 pounds. Sometimes, our bodies need a vacation, too. 

I am not looking forward to going back to my regular regimen of strictly healthy eating, but realize the unfortunate truth that it is a lifestyle which I must follow. I was not blessed with a working thyroid and replacement hormones can only do so much. I have to do my part...and since necessity is the mother of invention, I came up with this Sweet and Savory Keto-Friendly Barbecue Sauce, because I am not going to miss one last chance at a summer barbecue!

The ingredients are things most (all?) diabetics and keto dieters keep in their pantry. If you don't, you really should; plant-based sweeteners do not raise your blood glucose and most people respond well to them in other ways, too. No diarrhea (hello, maltitol!) and no headaches (yes, aspartame, I'm talking about you!). Because they are plant-based your brain recognizes them as it would a natural sugar, so they do not get you craving table sugar. Plus, unlike with chemical sweeteners, there are no post-meal blood glucose spikes. OK! I'm done lecturing! On to the recipe...

Sweet and Savory Keto-Friendly Barbecue Sauce

Ingredients

¾ cup packed monk fruit golden sugar or Truvia brown sugar blend

¾ cup sugar-free ketchup

¼ cup agave nectar 

2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar

2 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce

1 Tbsp garlic powder

1 Tbsp onion powder

2 tsp smoked paprika

2 tsp chili powder

Directions

In a small bowl add all ingredients in the order listed and mix well, breaking up any brown sugar lumps until sauce has reached a smooth consistency. Refrigerate until use.

Makes approximately 2 cups
Stays fresh for up to 2 weeks (with refrigeration)