Carolina is traditionally connected with barbecue. In the Carolinas, barbecue is not just food. Different regional BBQ sauces have different tastes and flavors. Carolina BBQ sauce is unique and famous worldwide.
Carolina BBQ sauce is tangy and slightly sweet with a peppery bite. The texture is smooth, and the consistency is not thick like ketchup. The thin consistency pairs beautifully with grilled chicken, BBQ meat, and smoked ribs.
Are you looking for an easy Carolina BBQ sauce recipe? You are in the right place. This article presents a recipe for authentic North Carolina BBQ sauce with a tangy and slightly spicy flavor. Therefore, give proper attention to reading this article from the beginning to the end.
Why You Must Try This Recipe at Home?
The making process of authentic Carolina sauce is simpler than you think. You can make the Carolina BBQ sauce at home within 10 to 15 minutes using common ingredients in your kitchen. Then, why will you buy it from the market?
Additionally, the store-bought Carolina BBQ sauces are often overly sweet and heavy. You can prepare the sauce according to your preference in the homemade version. You can adjust the vinegar to make the sauce tangier, and add extra pepper flakes for enhanced spiciness.
Moreover, once you have made the BBQ sauce, you can store it for up to a month. You can use this traditional sauce as a marinade, glaze, or even as a dipping sauce whenever you need. The BBQ sauce is the best sauce to enjoy grilled chicken and smoked pork ribs.
However, you can also pair this sauce with fries, sandwiches, and even pizzas. So? What are you waiting for? Read this article and learn the recipe with useful tips.
Ingredients and Substitutions You Need for This Recipe
You need a few common ingredients to make this Western Carolina BBQ sauce. You can find most of the ingredients in your kitchen.
Yet, we suggest reading the ingredient list before starting the process. If you find any of them are not present in your kitchen, you can easily buy them from the local market or an online shop. Let us tell you about the ingredients.
| Ingredient | Amount | Substitution/ Note |
| Apple cider vinegar | 2 cups | White vinegar for a milder flavor |
| Brown sugar | 1/3 cup | Honey or maple syrup for natural sweetness |
| Ketchup | 2 tablespoons | You can use hot sauce for a spicy version |
| Yellow mustard | 2 tablespoon | Dijon mustard for a sharp flavor |
| Worcestershire sauce | 1 tablespoon | Soy sauce as an effective substitute |
| Crushed red pepper flakes | 2 teaspoons | Red pepper powder or cayenne powder |
| Ground black pepper | 1 teaspoon | Freshly ground black pepper is preferable |
| Salt | 1 teaspoon | Use according to your taste |
- Apple cider vinegar helps to provide a thin consistency to the BBQ sauce.
- Brown sugar brings a sweet taste to the sauce. You can adjust the amount according to your preferences.
- Ketchup, yellow mustard, and Worcestershire sauce are added to give the sauce like texture and flavors.
- Crushed red pepper flakes give the spicy flavor to this delicious BBQ sauce.
- Ground black pepper and salt are used to season the sauce to achieve a balanced flavor.
How to Make Carolina BBQ Sauce: Simple 5 Steps
We already knew about the ingredients for this tangy Carolina barbecue sauce. In this section, we are going to discuss how to make this sauce like an expert. You can follow our steps to be an expert on Carolina BBQ sauce.
Step 1: Collect and Measure all the Ingredients
Collect all the ingredients according to the ingredient list of this recipe. Then, measure precisely one by one. This step is not mandatory. But if you measure all the ingredients in the beginning, it will help you to focus on the recipe and reduce the risk of skipping or measurement error of any ingredients.
Step 2: Combine Ingredients
After collecting all the required ingredients, it’s time to combine them.
- Take a saucepan and put vinegar, sugar, mustard, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, crushed red pepper flakes, ground black pepper, and salt in the saucepan.
- Mix them nicely using a whisk.
Step 3: Simmer
Now, you have to gently heat the sauce mixture.
- Bring to a gentle boil over medium heat.
- Then, reduce the heat and simmer the sauce for 10 to 15 minutes.
- Don’t forget to stir occasionally.
- After 10 to 15 minutes, check the consistency and flavors.
- If you get your desired consistency and flavors meld properly, you can stop heating.
Step 4: Taste and Adjust
This step is optional. Here, you can customize the BBQ sauce according to your preferences.
- Take a spoonful of sauce and taste it.
- If you want Carolina sweet barbecue sauce, you can add extra sugar or honey.
- To enhance the tangy flavor, you can add extra vinegar.
- For a spicy kick, you can use some hot sauce or extra red pepper flakes.
- For a thinner consistency, you can add more vinegar. Similarly, to thicken the sauce, simmer longer.
Step 5: Cool and Store
The North Carolina BBQ sauce is prepared.
- Cool the sauce at room temperature.
- After cooling, pour the sauce into an airtight glass jar.
- Airtight it and store the sauce in a refrigerator.
- That’s how you can store the sauce for up to two weeks.
Chef’s Notes and Tips
- Experts suggest preparing the sauce at least 5 to 6 hours before serving the sauce. This resting period allows the flavors to meld wonderfully.
- If you prefer a thick consistency to use it as a dipping sauce, you can add more ketchup to thicken the BBQ sauce as a shortcut.
- However, if you have time and don’t want to compromise with the flavors, you can simmer the sauce for longer.
- For authentic Eastern Carolina-style sauce, it is better to skip ketchup and mustard.
- You can replace the crushed red pepper flakes with red chili powder or cayenne powder to get a smoother texture.
- The addition of smoked paprika will provide a satisfying smoky flavor. Therefore, many popular chefs use smoked paprika in the BBQ sauce.
Carolina BBQ Sauce
Ingredients
- 2 Cups Apple Cider Vinegar
- 1/3 Cup Brown Sugar
- 2 Tbsp Ketchup Optional
- 2 Tbsp Yellow Mustard
- 1 Tbsp Worcestershire Sauce
- 2 Tsp Crushed Red Pepper Flakes
- 1 Tsp Ground Black Pepper
- 1 Tsp Salt
Instructions
- First, check the ingredient list and collect all the required ingredients.
- Then, measure them before starting the preparation for proper focus on the recipe.
- Secondly, combine vinegar, sugar, mustard, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, crushed red pepper flakes, ground black pepper, and salt in the saucepan. Mix them using a whisk.
- Thirdly, heat the sauce over medium heat. Bring a gentle boil, then simmer the sauce for 10 – 15 minutes.
- After simmering, check the consistency and stop heating after getting desire texture and consistency.
- Then, taste the sauce and adjust if required.
- Cool down the sauce over room temperature, then pour the sauce in a glass jar.
- Airtight the jar and keep it in the refrigerator.
- Serve the sauce with grilled meat or BBQ meat whenever you want.
Nutrition
Conclusion
Carolina BBQ sauce is tangy and flavorful with a slight sweetness and spiciness. It is more refreshing than heavy tomato-based sauces. Whether you are in the mood for a fancy dinner or hosting a BBQ party for your friends, this BBQ sauce can be a savior for you.
Carolina sauce simply elevates the taste of BBQ meat or grilled meat. Hence, prepare the sauce for any festivals or special days to impress your loved ones with BBQ chicken or grilled chicken.
FAQs
What Makes Carolina BBQ Sauce Different From Other Barbecue Sauces?
Carolina BBQ sauce is a vinegar-based, thinner sauce with tangy, spicy, and slightly sweet flavors. Whereas other BBQ sauces are ketchup-based, heavy, and sweet. Carolina is famous for barbecue, and the signature Carolina BBQ sauce complements the flavors of BBQ meat very nicely.
How Long Does Homemade Carolina BBQ Sauce Last?
If you maintain a proper storage technique, you can store the sauce for up to 2 weeks in a refrigerator. It is a vinegar-based sauce. Vinegar acts as a natural preservative and keeping the sauce fresh for longer.
Let me explain the storage process. After cooling down the sauce, pour the sauce into a glass jar. Air-tight it and then keep it in a refrigerator.
Can I Use Apple Cider Vinegar Instead of White Vinegar?
Yes, absolutely. Truly speaking, traditional Carolina BBQ sauce is made with apple cider vinegar. To get the strong flavor of Carolina sauce, you must use apple cider vinegar. If you don’t have apple cider vinegar, you can also use white vinegar.
