Carolina Style Barbecue Sauce
This tangy Carolina style barbecue sauce is vinegar-forward with smoky spices and a hint of heat—perfect for pulled pork, ribs, or grilled chicken!
Carolina Style Barbecue Sauce! A must for pulled pork.
Today, we’re diving into a recipe for a tangy, smoky, Carolina style barbecue sauce that’s tailor-made for pulled pork. This sauce leans into bold, vinegar-forward flavors with a dash of heat that’ll make your taste buds tingle. It’s just the right balance of spice, tang, and smoky goodness for anyone who loves a classic pulled pork sandwich or smoked pork butt.
This sauce shines with pulled pork, but don’t stop there! Try it as a marinade for smoked ribs or a dipping sauce for grilled chicken. For a next-level BBQ pulled pork sandwich, drizzle a generous amount over your shredded pork, pile it onto a bun, and top with some crunchy coleslaw for an unforgettable BBQ experience.
What goes into Carolina Style Barbecue Sauce?
- Apple Cider Vinegar – the key to that tangy Carolina-style kick.
- Water – to balance out the vinegar’s sharpness.
- Hot Sauce – feel free to adjust to your heat preference.
- Mustard Powder – brings in a subtle, zesty layer.
- Onion Powder – for a gentle savory base.
- Black Pepper – gives a peppery punch.
This Carolina style barbecue sauce is as versatile as it is flavorful, perfect for backyard BBQs, family gatherings, or any time you’re craving that perfect tangy, smoky touch on your meat. Plus, it’s so easy to whip up, you’ll wonder why you ever bought bottled sauce!
Process for Making Carolina Style Barbecue Sauce
- Mix Up the Ingredients: Grab a medium saucepan, pour in the apple cider vinegar, water, and hot sauce, and give it a good stir. This will be the tangy, spicy base of your sauce.
- Add the Spices: Now toss in the smoked paprika, mustard powder, onion powder, black pepper, and salt. Stir everything together until the spices dissolve into the liquid.
- Heat and Simmer: Turn the stove to medium heat, bringing the sauce to a gentle simmer. Keep stirring occasionally for about 10-15 minutes, allowing all those flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken slightly. The longer it simmers, the richer the taste!
- Taste and Adjust: Once it’s had time to blend, give it a taste. Need more heat? Add a touch more hot sauce. Want it smokier? Throw in a bit more smoked paprika. This is your sauce, so make it your own!
- Cool and Serve: Once you’re happy with the flavor, let the sauce cool to room temperature. Store it in a mason jar or airtight container in the fridge—it’ll stay good for about two weeks!
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Carolina Style Barbecue Sauce
Ingredients
- 3 cups Apple Cider Vinegar
- ½ cup Water
- ¼ cup Hot Sauce (Add more if you think it needs it after you mix everything together)
- 1⅓ tbsp Mustard Powder
- 1 tbsp Onion Powder
- 2 tbsp Black Pepper
- 2 tbsp Salt
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, pour in the 3 cups Apple Cider Vinegar, ½ cup Water, and ¼ cup Hot Sauce. Stir well to mix the liquids. Add 1⅓ tbsp Mustard Powder, 1 tbsp Onion Powder, 2 tbsp Black Pepper, and 2 tbsp Salt. Stir until all spices are fully dissolved.
- Place the saucepan over medium heat. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally. Let it simmer for 10-15 minutes so the flavors blend and the sauce thickens slightly.
- Carefully taste the sauce (it’ll be hot!) and adjust as needed. Add more hot sauce for extra heat or additional smoked paprika for smokiness if desired.
- Remove the saucepan from heat and let the sauce cool to room temperature. Pour into a mason jar or airtight container and store in the fridge.
