Carolina Style Barbecue Sauce
Dive into the tangy, bold flavors of Carolina Style Barbecue Sauce, a Southern classic that perfectly balances sweet, spicy, and savory notes. Made with apple cider vinegar as its tangy backbone, this mustard-based sauce gets a luscious kick from yellow mustard, a touch of ketchup, and a hint of brown sugar sweetness. Enhanced with honey, Worcestershire sauce, and optional hot sauce for extra heat, it’s a flavor-packed complement to any barbecue spread. The warm spices—paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder—add depth, while a quick simmer ensures all the ingredients meld beautifully. Perfect for drizzling over pulled pork, grilled chicken, or ribs, this easy-to-make homemade sauce is ready in just 20 minutes and stores well for up to a week. Try it for your next cookout and experience authentic Carolina barbecue flavor!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 cup Apple cider vinegar
- 0.5 cup Yellow mustard
- 0.25 cup Ketchup
- 0.25 cup Brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons Honey
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon Hot sauce (optional)
- 1 teaspoon Paprika
- 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Onion powder
- 0.5 teaspoon Salt
- 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
- 0.5 cup Water
Instructions
In a medium saucepan, combine apple cider vinegar, yellow mustard, ketchup, and brown sugar. Whisk together until smooth.
Add honey, Worcestershire sauce, and (if using) hot sauce to the mixture. Stir well.
Sprinkle in the paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix until all spices are evenly incorporated.
Add water to the saucepan to thin out the sauce slightly. Stir to combine.
Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally.
Once simmering, reduce the heat to low and let the sauce cook for 12-15 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
Taste and adjust seasonings as needed, such as adding more vinegar for tanginess or more honey for sweetness.
Remove the saucepan from the heat and allow the sauce to cool slightly before serving.
Serve warm or at room temperature with your favorite barbecue dishes. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
480 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 4.9 g | 6% | |
| Saturated Fat | 0.3 g | 2% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 3038 mg | 132% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 107.1 g | 39% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 4.0 g | 14% | |
| Total Sugars | 85.3 g | ||
| Protein | 5.9 g | 12% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 166 mg | 13% | |
| Iron | 5.0 mg | 28% | |
| Potassium | 743 mg | 16% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
