The legend of Carolina BBQ sauces runs deep. Three styles, distinct, delicious and proud. They can’t get any better. Or, can they? Turns out, they can. And today, we’re giving you the best of all three. One sauce to rule them all.
Being a North Carolinian, I am obsessed with our regional barbecue sauces. From Eastern Carolina Vinegar Sauce and Western Carolina Lexington Sauce to South Carolina Mustard Sauce – I absolutely love them all. However, as much as I adore each individually, I love them even more combined. And that is what I’m sharing today – a trifecta of absolutely insane deliciousness.
This Carolina-style sauce is a delicious combination of tangy and slightly sweet with a subtle kick. Thick and full of flavor, this multi-purpose sauce is perfect for marinating, grilling, dipping, slathering, smothering, and covering everything.
What is Carolina BBQ Sauce?
North Carolina BBQ sauce is a southern-style barbeque sauce. While most BBQ sauces are ketchup and molasses-based, Carolina sauce is made with a base of vinegar and mustard.
What does Carolina BBQ Sauce Taste Like?
Carolina barbecue sauce is thick and tangy with a very subtle sweetness. While Midwest and Southwest style barbecue sauces contain a good amount of sugar and are sweet in taste, Carolina barbecue sauces contain very little sugar, resulting in a sour, tangier flavor.
Is Carolina BBQ Sauce Sweet at all?
Carolina barbecue sauce is very subtly sweet in taste. While other regional barbecue sauces contain a high amount of sugar, this southern-style sauce contains a scant ¼ cup of dark brown sugar.
Carolina BBQ Sauce Styles
American barbecue is all about low and slow-cooked proteins and complementary, signature sauces. Most regions have their own style of barbecue sauce, ranging from thick and tomato-based to thinner and vinegar-based.
There are three BBQ sauces specific to the Carolinas:
- Eastern North Carolina Vinegar BBQ Sauce: Traditional vinegar sauce contains no tomato products and instead uses a tart combination of vinegar, hot sauce, and spices. It is much thinner in consistency than ‘traditional’ BBQ sauce and tangy and spicy in taste.
- South Carolina Mustard BBQ Sauce: Known as ‘Carolina Gold,’ this sauce contains a mixture of yellow mustard and vinegar as well as seasonings. It is rich, tangy, and zingy in flavor.
- Western North Carolina BBQ Sauce: Also known as Lexington-style or Piedmont, this sauce is vinegar-based and seasoned with ketchup, red pepper flakes, brown sugar, granulated sugar, and spices. It is slightly sweeter in taste and pairs well with pork shoulder.
This Carolina-style BBQ sauce recipe is a delicious combination that pays homage to all three of the above BBQ sauces. The best of three worlds!
How to Make the Ultimate Homemade Carolina BBQ Sauce
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Combine Ingredients:
- In a medium-sized saucepan, combine apple cider vinegar, ketchup, dark brown sugar, yellow mustard, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, salt, ground black pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes (if using).
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Cook the Sauce:
- Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring the mixture to a rapid simmer. Reduce the heat to maintain a gentle simmer.
- Cook, whisking occasionally, until the sauce is glossy and thickened, about 15-18 minutes.
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Adjust Seasoning:
- Remove the saucepan from heat. Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if needed.
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Cool and Store:
- Allow the sauce to cool to room temperature before using. Alternatively, let it cool to room temperature, transfer to an airtight container, and store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
Recipe Notes
- Consistency: For a thicker sauce, simmer longer to reduce further.
- Heat Level: Adjust the amount of hot sauce and red pepper flakes to control the spiciness.
- Storage: The sauce can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
Homemade Carolina BBQ Sauce
- Total Time: 23 minutes
- Yield: 1 1/2 cup 1x
Description
This Carolina Barbecue Sauce recipe is easy to make and tastes delicious with everything. The homemade sauce is thick, tangy, slightly sweet, and so finger-lickin’ good that you will want to make it again and again.
Ingredients
- 1 cup apple cider vinegar (240ml)
- 3/4 cup ketchup (180ml)
- 1/4 cup dark brown sugar (50g)
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard (15ml)
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce (15ml)
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce (5ml, such as Texas Pete’s)
- 1 teaspoon salt (5g)
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper (1g)
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional, 1g)
Instructions
Combine Ingredients:
- In a medium-sized saucepan, combine apple cider vinegar, ketchup, dark brown sugar, yellow mustard, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, salt, ground black pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes (if using).
Cook the Sauce:
- Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring the mixture to a rapid simmer. Reduce the heat to maintain a gentle simmer.
- Cook, whisking occasionally, until the sauce is glossy and thickened, about 15-18 minutes.
Adjust Seasoning:
- Remove the saucepan from heat. Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if needed.
Cool and Store:
- Allow the sauce to cool to room temperature before using. Alternatively, let it cool to room temperature, transfer to an airtight container, and store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
Notes
- Consistency: For a thicker sauce, simmer longer to reduce further.
- Heat Level: Adjust the amount of hot sauce and red pepper flakes to control the spiciness.
- Storage: The sauce can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Category: Sauce
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 tbsp
- Calories: 40
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 9
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0g
That’s a solid five star rating from here. Authentic flavor, easy to succeed with, bravo!
There is actually no way this is NOT the ultimate BBQ sauce, period!
Ok, so we can just settle this right here right now. This is THE BEST BBQ SAUCE IN THE WORLD!
I’ve been experimenting with various BBQ sauces for years, trying to find the perfect balance of tangy, sweet, and spicy, and this one is absolutely my favorite of all. I used it on a rack of ribs I smoked for 6 hours, and the flavor was out of this world. The apple cider vinegar gives it that classic Carolina tang, while the brown sugar adds just the right amount of sweetness without being overpowering. And the addition of the hot sauce and chili flakes gives it a subtle kick that keeps you coming back for more. I even had some leftover sauce, which I used as a dipping sauce for chicken wings the next day.
I have nothing else to say than, I concur. I have never tasted a better barbecue sauce in my life. Huzzah!
I could drink this sauce. Seriously. It’s that good. Might just replace my ketchup habit. ?
Very good recipe right here folks! This is one of my top three favorite bbq sauces!
If you’re not making this sauce, you’re missing out on life. It’s everything a BBQ sauce should be! Thank you thank you thank you!
This sauce is ridiculously good. Slathered it on a burger, and I’m never looking back.
This sauce is everything. Tangy, sweet, a bit of heat. Perfect for slathering on, well, anything!