Eastern North Carolina Basic Barbecue Sauce
Add a tangy twist to your barbecue with this Eastern North Carolina Basic Barbecue Sauce, a quintessential staple of Carolina-style grilling. This vinegar-based sauce combines bold apple cider vinegar with just the right touch of sweetness from brown sugar and depth from ketchup, creating a perfectly balanced blend of zesty and savory flavors. Infused with a kick of heat from hot sauce and crushed red pepper flakes, this no-frills recipe takes only 15 minutes to prepare and is ideal for marinating, basting, or drizzling over your favorite smoked or grilled meats. Allowing it to rest overnight in the fridge ensures the flavors meld beautifully, delivering a true taste of Eastern North Carolina barbecue tradition. Perfectly suited for pulled pork, chicken, or ribs, this versatile sauce will elevate any barbecue experience.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2 cups Apple cider vinegar
- 1 cup Water
- 2 tablespoons Ketchup
- 2 tablespoons Brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon Hot sauce
- 1 teaspoon Crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon Black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Salt
Instructions
In a medium saucepan, combine the apple cider vinegar, water, and ketchup over medium heat.
Stir the mixture until the ingredients are well combined.
Add the brown sugar, hot sauce, crushed red pepper flakes, black pepper, and salt to the saucepan.
Continue to stir until the sugar has dissolved and the sauce is smooth.
Simmer the sauce over low heat for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
Remove the saucepan from the heat and allow the sauce to cool to room temperature.
Transfer the sauce to a glass jar or bottle with a lid for storage.
Refrigerate the sauce for at least 24 hours before use to allow the flavors to meld together.
Shake or stir before serving. Use as a marinade, basting sauce, or finish for your grilled or smoked meats.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
208 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 0.2 g | 0% | |
| Saturated Fat | 0.0 g | 0% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 2881 mg | 125% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 31.1 g | 11% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 0.8 g | 3% | |
| Total Sugars | 24.7 g | ||
| Protein | 0.3 g | 1% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 74 mg | 6% | |
| Iron | 1.8 mg | 10% | |
| Potassium | 410 mg | 9% | |
*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.
