Does BBQ Sauce Have Dairy? (+ 5 Sauces To Avoid)
December 10, 2020 / Comments
You know what they say, the dairy is in the details. Or at least they should, because dairy products are often hiding in foods that seem like they should have been DF (dairy-free).
Avoiding dairy can be difficult, but for some, accidentally consuming milk products can have severe consequences. That’s definitely not what you’re hoping for at your next cookout. We’ll guide you through everything you need to know to ensure your next barbecue is ready for everyone.
Let’s take a look at:
- Why some BBQ sauces have dairy
- Which dairy-laden sauces to avoid
- Where you can get a reliable, delicious dairy-free BBQ sauce
So let’s turn your BBQ into a DF-BBQ! This article will show you where dairy might be hiding and which sauces you can slather on instead.
Why Would BBQ Sauce Have Dairy?
As we know (and love), barbecue sauces vary by region. The most common sauce is the tangy, tomato-based sauce that became popular after the second World War. This type of sauce seems like it would be dairy-free, but you’ve got to be careful buying it pre-made.
Dairy sneaks in as a filler and preservative in lots of processed food. If you’re buying a pre-made barbecue sauce at a regular grocery store, we recommend reading the label closely.
Or you can buy a BBQ sauce that’s 100% dairy-free without having to look through dozens of sauces at the store like a crazy person.
Ingredients To Watch For
The real list of sneaky dairy is long and hard to pronounce. Here, we’re just sticking to things that could potentially show up in a barbecue sauce.
- Milk proteins or solids (casein, whey): These guys give some structure and thickness to a sauce. You’re unlikely to find them in a tomato-based sauce, but anytime you see the word “creamy” it’s probably going to contain some milk proteins.
- Artificial sweeteners: We would basically never recommend a “diet” or “sugar free” barbecue sauce, but especially because some artificial sweeteners are derived from dairy. Go for a natural “no sugar added” option instead.
Hint: if you’re looking for less sugar but still want big flavor, try using our seasoning for a spice rub!
- Spice mixes / “Natural flavors”: unless a product says it’s vegan/plant-based, this is where animal products sneak into otherwise vegan-seeming foods. By law, food manufacturers have to list milk as an allergen. But milk-derived products don’t have to be labeled this same way. If you’re fully vegan, beware these vague ingredients unless you’re shopping with a trusted source!
- Butter: butter makes everything taste rich and delicious, and also helps sauces stick to food. But it’s dairy!
- Ghee: ghee is clarified butter, used instead of oil as an emulsifier. It does not contain lactose but still comes from milk and is dairy.
- Sour Cream: not typically found in barbecue sauces, but if you see it, it’s dairy.
- Mayonnaise: the basis of the Alabama style white-sauce, mayo is made of eggs. Not vegan, but could be okay with a milk allergy. Chances are if a sauce has mayo, dairy’s going to be in there somewhere too.
Read: How To Put Together The Perfect Backyard BBQ Menu
5 BBQ Sauces With Dairy To Avoid
To avoid unwanted dairy, stay away from these sauces:
- White/Alabama style BBQ sauce: the color of this sauce should give a clue as to the presence of milk in this world-famous bbq sauce! It’s possible to do a plant-based, dairy-free option, but most sauces off the shelf are going to contain some milk.
- Carolina Gold/Mustard sauce: supposedly a product of German immigrants to the area, this barbecue sauce recipe does not require dairy to create. However, some versions may contain butter.
- Buffalo Sauce: buffalo sauce gets that creamy, tasty, stick-to-the-bones texture from butter! Buffalo sauce is basically hot sauce mixed with butter.
- Ranch Sauce: okay, not exactly a barbecue sauce, but a sauce that is often found at barbecues. If the white color didn’t give it away, regular ranch sauce contains buttermilk. “Healthier” ranch options like ‘low fat’ will still contain some form of milk.
Anything with unspecified “natural flavors”: we just don’t like secrets when it comes to what we’re putting in our bodies!
For an easy choice, we recommend just sticking with the classic tomato-based sauces. We offer those in our delicious original and hot and spicy, both are dairy-free and all-purpose.
Read: Does BBQ Sauce Go Bad? Yes… Here’s Why
Easy Changes For A Dairy-Free BBQ
There’s plenty of reasons why someone might be avoiding dairy. The important thing is that you still get to share a meal with loved ones, and that meal can be just as tasty.
Whether you’re new to dairy-free life or just being a thoughtful host, we’ve got a few ideas to make your meal so good you won’t even miss the dairy:
- Fresh, good quality hot dogs or burgers, free of additives and preservatives
- Plant-based burgers/hot dogs/sausages
- Fresh bakery buns (dairy acts as a preservative in many store-bought buns0
- Fresh avocado to sub for cheese, or plant-based cheese
- Veganaise, a plant-based mayo which many believe to be better than the real stuff
- Creative dairy-free side dishes like bean salads and vinegary coleslaw
- Plant-based butter, for biscuits or corn on the cob! Available in most major grocery stores (Earth Balance brand)
- Vegan mac and cheese, which is available boxed at most stores these days
- Alternative-milk ice cream. Our favorite is the kind made with coconut milk. Use organic chocolate syrup and plant-based whipped cream to make sundaes!
A Reliable Dairy-Free BBQ Sauce
Not only is our barbecue sauce delicious on just about anything you can grill, it’s vegan! With a sauce completely free of animal products, you can be confident in what you’re offering to guests of all diets. So gather round and see how delicious life without dairy can be.
Reader Comments
438 Comments
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donna albert on August 7, 2025 at 11:47 am
God bless Dr Osalu for his marvelous work in my life, I was diagnosed of HERPES SIMPLEX VIRUS since 2019 and I was taking my medications, I wasn’t satisfied i needed to get the herpes out of my system, I searched about some possible cure for herpes i saw a comment about Dr Osalu, how he cured herpes with his herbal medicine, I contacted him and he guided me. I asked for solutions, he started the remedy for my health, he sent me the medicine within 3days. I took the medicine as prescribed by him and 2weeks later I was cured from herpes. Contact him via email: drosaluherbalhome@gmail.com WhatApp +2348078668950
website: https://drosaluherbalhome.wixsite.com/drosaluherbshome
Thanks doc .
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donna albert on August 6, 2025 at 6:44 pm
God bless Dr Osalu for his marvelous work in my life, I was diagnosed of HERPES SIMPLEX VIRUS since 2019 and I was taking my medications, I wasn’t satisfied i needed to get the herpes out of my system, I searched about some possible cure for herpes i saw a comment about Dr Osalu, how he cured herpes with his herbal medicine, I contacted him and he guided me. I asked for solutions, he started the remedy for my health, he sent me the medicine within 3days. I took the medicine as prescribed by him and 2weeks later I was cured from herpes. Contact him via email: drosaluherbalhome@gmail.com WhatApp +2348078668950
website: https://drosaluherbalhome.wixsite.com/drosaluherbshome
Thanks doc .
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I want to use this medium to share my incredible manifesting with Dr. Kachi, who truly changed my life. For a long time, I struggled with homelessness after losing my job as a nurse. Life felt like an endless battle, and I spent many years trying to win the lottery, hoping for a better future. But despite my efforts, I had no success and was growing increasingly frustrated. That was until I came across an amazing testimony from a woman named Natasha, who shared how Dr. Kachi helped her win the National EuroMillions jackpot. I had always loved playing EuroMillions, but winning seemed impossible for me. However, after seeing Natasha’s story, I decided to reach out to Dr. Kachi prepared a special spell to help me with guaranteed lucky numbers. Within 24 hours, he provided me with the winning numbers and instructed me to play. To my amazement, I won £184.656 million in the EuroMillions! Thanks to Dr. Kachi, my life has been transformed, and my financial situation has changed for the better. I will never forget this joyful moment, as it has been the best thing to ever happen to me. If you’re struggling and seeking a way out, never give up. Dr. Kachi can help you, just as he helped me. Keep your faith and take a chance – your life could change too! contact website https://drkachispellcaster.wixsite.com/my-site his email drkachispellcast@gmail.com or his phone text or call number: +1 (209) 893-8075
promise on July 29, 2025 at 7:35 am
The marital crisis I was going through came to and end when spiritual uyi got involved. Just like every other couples out there, we had our differences and I ensure I did my best to lead her right, provide for her and my kids and also protected them. We both made sacrifices to ensure we survived the union until she started acting up and deliberately had so many fights with me. The home became unpleasant for everyone else including my children. She was being manipulated by a friend who had been divorced and wanted to also ruin my marriage. I had to contact spiritual uyi and he responded and did his best to end the issues. He restored the love and connection between us and I can tell now that whatever illusion my wife was under has been taking away and she is a better woman now. The result of what spiritual uyi did for me that manifested after two days was what amazed me. I and my household remain grateful. I appeal to anyone who needs help to fix their relationships and marital problems to contact spiritual uyi because the solution is sure. Review/contact him via spiritualuyi@gamil.com webpage : https://spiritualuyi.wordpress. or text him on WhatsApp +2348169844860
SUSAN JOEL on July 28, 2025 at 9:41 pm
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promise on July 28, 2025 at 6:06 am
The marital crisis I was going through came to and end when spiritual uyi got involved. Just like every other couples out there, we had our differences and I ensure I did my best to lead her right, provide for her and my kids and also protected them. We both made sacrifices to ensure we survived the union until she started acting up and deliberately had so many fights with me. The home became unpleasant for everyone else including my children. She was being manipulated by a friend who had been divorced and wanted to also ruin my marriage. I had to contact spiritual uyi and he responded and did his best to end the issues. He restored the love and connection between us and I can tell now that whatever illusion my wife was under has been taking away and she is a better woman now. The result of what spiritual uyi did for me that manifested after two days was what amazed me. I and my household remain grateful. I appeal to anyone who needs help to fix their relationships and marital problems to contact spiritual uyi because the solution is sure. Review/contact him via spiritualuyi@gamil.com webpage : https://spiritualuyi.wordpress. or text him on WhatsApp +2348169844860
mary vernon on July 28, 2025 at 5:20 am
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promise on July 28, 2025 at 4:24 am
The marital crisis I was going through came to and end when spiritual uyi got involved. Just like every other couples out there, we had our differences and I ensure I did my best to lead her right, provide for her and my kids and also protected them. We both made sacrifices to ensure we survived the union until she started acting up and deliberately had so many fights with me. The home became unpleasant for everyone else including my children. She was being manipulated by a friend who had been divorced and wanted to also ruin my marriage. I had to contact spiritual uyi and he responded and did his best to end the issues. He restored the love and connection between us and I can tell now that whatever illusion my wife was under has been taking away and she is a better woman now. The result of what spiritual uyi did for me that manifested after two days was what amazed me. I and my household remain grateful. I appeal to anyone who needs help to fix their relationships and marital problems to contact spiritual uyi because the solution is sure. Review/contact him via spiritualuyi@gamil.com webpage : https://spiritualuyi.wordpress. or text him on WhatsApp +2348169844860
Suncica on July 27, 2025 at 11:43 pm
I am so happy, I never believe I will be this happy again in life, I was working as an air-hostess ( cabby crew ) for 3years but early this year, I lost my job because of this deadly disease. called Herpes virus (HSV), I never felt sick or have any symptom, till all workers were ask to bring their doctors report, that was how i got tested and i found out that am HSV positive that make me loose my job, because it was consider as an STD and is incurable disease, i was so depress was thinking of committing suicide, till i explain to a friend of mine, who always said to me a problem share is a problem solved, that was how she directed me to Dr Akuza, that was how i contacted him and get the medication from this doctor and i got cured for real, I just went back to my work and they also carry out the test to be real sure and i was negative. Please contact this doctor if you are herpes positive or any STD diseases his email is: drakuzasolutioncenter@gmail.com or you can call or whatsApp his mobile number +2348114598686
Suncica on July 27, 2025 at 11:21 pm
I am so happy, I never believe I will be this happy again in life, I was working as an air-hostess ( cabby crew ) for 3years but early this year, I lost my job because of this deadly disease. called Herpes virus (HSV), I never felt sick or have any symptom, till all workers were ask to bring their doctors report, that was how i got tested and i found out that am HSV positive that make me loose my job, because it was consider as an STD and is incurable disease, i was so depress was thinking of committing suicide, till i explain to a friend of mine, who always said to me a problem share is a problem solved, that was how she directed me to Dr Akuza, that was how i contacted him and get the medication from this doctor and i got cured for real, I just went back to my work and they also carry out the test to be real sure and i was negative. Please contact this doctor if you are herpes positive or any STD diseases his email is: drakuzasolutioncenter@gmail.com or you can call or whatsApp his mobile number +2348114598686
veronica on July 26, 2025 at 10:39 pm
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Tiffany on July 26, 2025 at 3:04 pm
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Susan Hillock on July 26, 2025 at 6:55 am
Hello there:
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