After being home for about a month now, and trying not to leave unnecessarily, I’m starting to run out of things. BBQ sauce is one of those things. So, in my desire to make a quality low carb pulled pork in the crockpot, I ransacked the cabinets and concocted a new sauce with stuff I had on hand.
This maple bourbon sauce is a little sweet and, to me and mine, it tastes a lot like I remember baked bean sauce tasting. That’s a wonderful thing, folks. So, here is my keto quarantine sauce, which is also my new favorite!

Maple Bourbon BBQ Sauce
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Prep Time: 5 minutes
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Cook Time: 20 minutes
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Total Time: 25 minutes
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Yield: Approx. 12 fl oz sauce (24 tbsp)
Description
This recipe works best in a specific volume ratio, so that’s how it’s written.
Ingredients
- 1 c (8 fl oz/ 237 ml) sugar free ketchup
- 1/3 c (2.68 fl oz/ 79 ml) bourbon
- 1/4 c Swerve Brown, packed
- 1/4 c (2 fl oz/ 59 ml) cider vinegar
- 1/4 c (2 fl oz/ 59 ml) water
- 1 tsp sugar free liquid smoke
- 1 tsp maple extract
- 1/4 tsp sea salt
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp onion powder
- 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a small saucepan and stir together well over medium heat.
- Bring to a brisk simmer over medium, whisking occasionally.
- When the sauce comes to a simmer, reduce heat to medium-low and continue to simmer, whisking occasionally, for 15 minutes to reduce.
- Remove the sauce from the eat and let stand to cool completely.
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge.
- Enjoy!
Notes
Per tbsp: 15 cal, o g protein, 0 g fat, 3.2 g carbs, 0 g fiber, 2.4 g sugar alcohol, 0.8 g NET carbs
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 tbsp
This sounds wonderful but I’m wondering if I could use bourbon extract instead of the alcohol. Am I correct that the alcohol is used up in the cooking process? We are an alcohol free house but I do have tons of extracts.
Thx
If you can find bourbon extract, you’re definitely fine using it. You want to replace the bourbon with the same amount in water, so I would suggest starting with 1/2 tsp diluted in that extra water. Give it a smell and taste and only add more extract, 1/4 tsp at a time, if you think it’s needed.