Sugar Free BBQ Sauce

One of the things I gave up when I had RNY was BBQ Sauce.  A trip down the aisle at the grocery reading labels shows that most have 16-30 grams of sugar per quarter cup, but I've seen them as high as 44 grams! I finally figured out that I don't have to give it up - I just have to make my own. This recipe is possible using an RNY "no-no" - diet cola sweetened with Splenda (aspartame loses its sweetness when heated). 

I'm not suggesting you pick up a case of diet cola, just get ONE can or bottle from the local convenience store.  The cooking kills the bubbles and just leaves a rich taste in the sauce. 

Slather it on chicken, add it to your baked beans, use it as a dipping sauce, etc... 

 
Sugar Free BBQ Sauce 

Nutritional Data per 1/4 cup serving: 
Calories 43 
Total Fat 1.9g 
Saturated Fat 0.6g 
Trans Fat 0.0g 
Cholesterol 4mg 
Sodium 179mg 
Total Carbohydrates 4.6g 
Dietary Fiber 1.0g 
Sugars 2.7g 
Protein 2.5g 


2 strips bacon, chopped fine (or see Cook's Notes) 
1 small onion, minced 
1 clove garlic, minced or 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder 
1 small can (6 oz) tomato paste 
1 can (12 oz) diet (Splenda-sweetened) cola 
1/4 cup low carb (sugar-free) catsup, (or see Cook's Notes) 
3 Tbs  yellow mustard 
1 Tbs Worcestershire sauce 
1 pinch ground cloves 
Hot sauce to taste 


Fry the bacon in a saucepan - a 2 qt pan works well. 
Add the onion and cook over medium until soft - 3-5 minutes. 
Add garlic at this point if you're using fresh and stir it for half a minute or so. 
Add the rest of the ingredients, plus about half a cup of water. 
Stir well. 
Simmer for 20-30 minutes. 
It will cook down a bit and flavors will combine. 
Adjust the seasonings so you have the balance you want - you can add vinegar, artificial sweetener, or hot sauce. (If it's too hot, adding more sweetener or a little white vinegar will tone it down.) 

Makes about 10 servings 

Cook's Notes: 
If you prefer to leave the bacon out, add 1-3 teaspoons of liquid smoke, to taste, near the end of the cooking. Alternatively, add some smoky flavor using 1 teaspoon of smoked paprika, or chipotle powder to taste. 
If you can't find low carb catsup, leave it out, but add about a tablespoon of vinegar and some sweetener, to taste. 
You can get different flavors using different sodas - Root Beer makes a great sauce, and all us Southerners know about Cheerwine!