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You've never had a BBQ sauce like this one! My zingy, tangy, mouthwatering Carolina BBQ Sauce is a flavor experience you're going to crave. This easy vinegar based BBQ sauce is done in minutes and is so tasty!
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What is Carolina Style BBQ Sauce?
Carolina style BBQ sauce is a unique BBQ sauce originating in eastern North Carolina. It's made with a blend of apple cider vinegar and hot sauce that have been simmered together to create a thin sauce with a tangy, sharp flavor that pairs well with dishes like BBQ pork.
Carolina Barbecue Sauce
The first time my family took me to a North Carolina restaurant to try proper vinegar BBQ, I was hooked. It's nothing like sweet Texas-style BBQ! After trying that fall-off-the-bone meat with this tangy, thin, flavorful vinegar-based BBQ sauce, I knew I had to make my own right away.
Imagine my surprise when I whipped up some vinegar BBQ sauce for pulled pork, and the sauce took only minutes to make using ingredients I already had. It was an instant hit with my entire family, and a new regular recipe alongside our favorite 3-2-1 Ribs!
The best part about Carolina vinegar BBQ sauce? It's perfect for family members that don't like traditional sweet BBQ sauce. Serve this up at your next potluck, picnic or toss it into some leftover chicken or pulled pork (with my pulled pork rub), and watch it become the next big hit.
North Carolina BBQ Sauce Ingredients
- Apple cider vinegar: There's no substitute for this; apple cider vinegar is the core of the flavor!
- Brown sugar: Brown sugar has the richest flavor for this sauce. You can also use an equal amount of white sugar plus a ½ teaspoon of molasses.
- Ketchup: Never underestimate Ketchup! It adds sweetness and flavor that isn't easily captured in any other condiment.
- Hot sauce: Any hot sauce will do, but Texas Pete's, Frank's RedHot, or classic Tabasco have the most ideal flavor.
- Crushed red pepper: Crushed red pepper adds most of the real heat! Add more or scale back on it as desired.
- Garlic powder: Powder has a milder flavor that's better for this sauce than fresh garlic.
- Salt & Pepper: As always, I prefer to use Maldon sea salt flakes and freshly ground black pepper for the best flavor!
This recipe makes Lexington-Style, or North Carolina Style, BBQ sauce. To make this into South Carolina Mustard BBQ Sauce, also known as Carolina Gold BBQ Sauce, just add ¾ to 1 full cup of yellow mustard.
Pork Chop Sauces
This is one of my favorite sauces for pork chops. Try my other favorites, too!
How to Make Carolina Vinegar BBQ Sauce
- In a saucepan over medium heat, combine the brown sugar and vinegar. Stir until dissolved and bring to a boil.
- Add in the rest of the ingredients, stirring until well combined. Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer for 5 minutes.
- Remove from the stove and let cool- it's supposed to be thin! Store in a sealed container, pour over your favorite BBQ, and enjoy!
How to Make Vinegar BBQ Sauce in the Microwave
- In a microwave safe bowl with a lid, combine the brown sugar and vinegar. Stir, then heat for 30 seconds at a time, stirring each time, until the sugar has dissolved and the sauce is bubbly.
- Add in the rest of the ingredients, then keep microwaving for 30 second intervals for another 2 minutes, stirring each time.
- Let rest until the bowl is safe to handle, then cool, store, and enjoy!
Carolina Sauce Tips
- This Carolina-style BBQ sauce is supposed to be very thin! If you'd like to make it thicker, add half a teaspoon of cornstarch in water or xantham gum.
- To control the heat level, remove the crushed red pepper for a milder sauce or add more for spicier BBQ.
- This sauce is best used brushed repeatedly over the meat as it cooks, or poured over cooked meat to be sopped up and enjoyed!
- Known as a "sopping sauce", this BBQ is made to be poured over shredded meat and then "sopped up" with a biscuit!
Do you love barbecue? Try out my homemade Sweet Barbecue Sauce recipe. It'll replace any store-bought bottle in a heartbeat!
Vinegar Based BBQ Sauce FAQ
While both North and South Carolina BBQ sauces are thin, vinegar-based sauces, the South Carolina variety includes a large amount of yellow mustard as well. This mustard is what gives it the name "Carolina Gold" and gives it a uniquely hot, tangy flavor. Both are delicious and easy to make!
Carolina-style BBQ can be used the same way thick, Texas-style BBQ is used! Just be careful as it is runnier and will likely drip off of meat, so if using it in the oven, be sure to cook the meat on a tray to catch any drippings.
Storing Leftover Vinegar BBQ Sauce
- Refrigerator: This sauce can be stored in the fridge in a jar or other airtight container for up to 5 days.
- Freezer: This BBQ sauce recipe freezes very well! I recommend storing it in a glass jar in the freezer and thawing it in the fridge overnight. Frozen, it lasts up to 5 months.
BBQ Recipes
If you enjoyed the recipe, leave a comment and a rating below!
Tangy Carolina BBQ Sauce
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 cups Apple cider vinegar
- 2 Tablespoons Brown sugar
- 2 Tablespoons Ketchup
- 1 Tablespoon Hot sauce
- 1 teaspoon Crushed red pepper
- 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Black pepper
- ½ teaspoon Salt
Instructions
Stove Top Method
- In a saucepan over medium heat, combine the brown sugar and vinegar. Stir until dissolved and bring to a boil.2 cups Apple cider vinegar,2 Tablespoons Brown sugar
- Add in the rest of the ingredients, stirring until well combined. Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer for 5 minutes.2 Tablespoons Ketchup,1 Tablespoon Hot sauce,1 teaspoon Crushed red pepper,1 teaspoon Garlic powder,1 teaspoon Black pepper,½ teaspoon Salt
- Remove from the stove and let cool- it's supposed to be thin! Store in a sealed container, pour over your favorite BBQ, and enjoy!
Microwave Method
- In a microwave safe bowl with a lid, combine the brown sugar and vinegar. Stir, then heat for 30 seconds at a time, stirring each time, until the sugar has dissolved and the sauce is bubbly.
- Add in the rest of the ingredients, then keep microwaving for 30 second intervals for another 2 minutes, stirring each time.
- Let rest until the bowl is safe to handle, then cool, store, and enjoy!
Notes
- This Carolina-style BBQ sauce is supposed to be very thin! If you'd like to make it thicker, add half a teaspoon of cornstarch in water or xantham gum.
- To control the heat level, remove the crushed red pepper for a milder sauce or add more for spicier BBQ.
- This sauce is best used brushed repeatedly over the meat as it cooks, or poured over cooked meat to be sopped up and enjoyed!
Kevin Peyton says
Should the peppers dissolve if so my peppers aren’t . Thanks
Isabel Laessig says
Hi Kevin! No, they shouldn't dissolve. Are you using crushed red pepper?