How to Make the Ultimate Homemade Carolina BBQ Sauce

Read Time:31 Minute, 45 Second

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:

Potato Bites and Cilantro Sauce

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!

Carolina Barbecue Sauce Ingredients

How to Make the Ultimate Homemade Carolina BBQ Sauce

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.

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.

Carolina Barbecue Sauce Recipe

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Homemade Carolina BBQ Sauce

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

5 from 8 reviews

Author: Cheyanne Holzworth
Total Time: 23 minutes
Yield: 1 1/2 cup 1x

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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

Units

Scale

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)

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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