Description
Carolina’s tangy barbecue sauce blends vinegar, pepper, and spice into a classic Southern condiment that elevates grilled meats. Packed with bold flavors and regional charm, you’ll savor this authentic sauce drizzled over pulled pork or used as a zesty marinade.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 cup yellow mustard
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
Seasonings and Spices:
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
Optional and Flavor Enhancers:
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Instructions
- Combine apple cider vinegar, yellow mustard, ketchup, brown sugar, honey, Worcestershire sauce, and spices in a medium saucepan, whisking thoroughly to blend all ingredients evenly.
- Position the saucepan over medium heat, allowing the mixture to gradually warm and develop its rich flavor profile.
- Stir the sauce consistently, ensuring no ingredients stick to the bottom of the pan and all components integrate smoothly.
- Maintain a gentle simmer for 5-7 minutes, watching the consistency transform as the ingredients meld together.
- Sample the sauce carefully, adjusting the flavor balance by incrementally adding honey for enhanced sweetness or cayenne pepper for increased heat intensity.
- Once the desired flavor and consistency are achieved, remove the saucepan from the heat source.
- Allow the Carolina BBQ sauce to cool completely at room temperature, which will help the flavors further develop and settle.
- Transfer the cooled sauce to a clean storage container, where it can be refrigerated and used within one week for optimal taste and quality.
Notes
- Choose high-quality apple cider vinegar for a sharper, more authentic tangy Carolina BBQ sauce flavor profile.
- Experiment with different mustard types like Dijon or spicy brown mustard to customize the sauce’s heat and complexity.
- For a gluten-free version, replace traditional Worcestershire sauce with a gluten-free alternative or coconut aminos.
- Store excess sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks, allowing flavors to meld and intensify over time.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 7 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Southern (American)
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 45
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 200 mg
- Fat: 0 g
- Saturated Fat: 0 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 11 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 0 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg