Duke’s barbeque sauce is a Southern staple condiment that’s known for its depth, tanginess, and zesty punch. You can call it a vinegar-based dip or a mustard-based dip. Because this sauce’s hero ingredients are yellow mustard and vinegar. You can also add sweetness or spiciness to this sauce by adding more sugar or hot sauce.
Those who prefer more heat can even add cayenne pepper. In short, this smoked meat sauce allows a lot of customization. And the best thing is you don’t have to cook this sauce. Just gather some ingredients and mix them gradually. Let’s know more specifically through this article.

Know About Duke’s Barbeque Sauce
Duke’s barbecue sauce originated in the Midlands of South Carolina. It’s a mustard-based sauce that reflects Germany’s heritage. Unlike tomato-based sauces, this version uses yellow mustard, which gives a unique kind of tanginess. Besides, it incorporates sweetness because of the brown sugar and heat from the hot sauce. Whether it’s about drizzling over a pulled pork or having as barbecue side dips, Duke’s sauce complements all of them
Ingredients You Need
To make Carolina-style BBQ sauce, gather the following ingredients below.
Yellow Mustard
Yellow mustard is the base of Duke’s sauce. Use 1 cup of it to give a tanginess and vibrant color to the sauce.
Mayonnaise
½ cup of mayonnaise will add creaminess and richness to the sauce.
Ketchup
For a subtle sweetness and tomato flavor, use ½ cup of ketchup.
Apple Cider Vinegar
⅓ cup of apple cider vinegar will provide acidity and enhance the tangy profile of the sauce.
Brown Sugar
For sweetness and to balance between vinegar and yellow mustard, use ½ cup brown sugar.
Soy Sauce
¼ cup of soy sauce will give saltiness and an umami depth.
Hot Sauce
Use hot sauce as per your heat preferences. Add it gradually by tasting a bit over time.
How to Make Duke’s Barbecue Sauce With 5 Simple Steps?
Once you are ready with the ingredients, you can start with the traditional BBQ recipe.
Step 1
First, take a bowl. Combine the mustard and mayonnaise. Whisk them together until they become smooth and well-blended.
Step 2
Now add ketchup, apple cider vinegar, and brown sugar. Mix everything again to form a smooth texture. Make sure the sugar dissolves perfectly.
Step 3
Incorporate soy sauce, but not ¼ cup at once. Keep adding a little bit so observe the change of color in the mixture. Soy sauce mainly deepens the color and makes it more savory.
Step 4
Now add hot sauce. Start with a few dashes, like soy sauce. Keep increasing the amount if you need more heat.
Step 5
Lastly, transfer the sauce to an airtight container. Let it sit in the refrigerator for 1 hour so that the flavors can meld. You can serve this Southern barbecue condiment chilled or at room temperature.
Best Pairings For Duke’s Barbeque Sauce
Here are some dishes that go best with the tangy BBQ sauce.
- Smoked ribs
- barbecue pizza
- Grilled chicken
- French fries
- Shrimp skewers
- Sandwiches
- Coleslaw wraps
- Tofu nuggets
- Burgers
Special Tips
Follow these tips below, and you will get the best out of your barbecue side dips.
- If the sauce becomes too thick, add water or some vinegar to it.
- To get the maximum flavor from the sauce, refrigerate it overnight.
- You may tweak the ingredient ratios as per your taste preferences.
- You can refrigerate the sauce for up to 2 weeks, but make sure it’s in a sterilized jar.
- If you want a sweeter sauce, add more brown sugar, and if you want a tangy sauce, add more vinegar.
How To Customize Duke’s Barbecue Sauce?
Since you are making Duke’s grilling sauce on your own, you can customize it on many ways.
- Add sweeteners: If you don’t want to consume sugar, how can add honey or maple syrup to your sauce. They both provide a rich sweetness.
- Add Cayenne Pepper: If you want maximum heat level, incorporate cayenne pepper or chilli paste into the sauce.
- Make it smoky: To get some smoky flavor, add ¼ teaspoon of liquid smoke or smoked paprika.
- Give a fruity twist: You can use peaches, mangoes, or pineapple for a fruity twist.

Duke’s Barbeque Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 Cup Yellow Mustard
- ½ Cup Mayonnaise
- ½ Cup Ketchup
- ⅓ Cup Apple Cider Vinegar
- 1/2 Cup Brown Sugar
- 1/4 Cup Soya Sauce
- Hot Sauce As Per Taste
Instructions
- In a bowl, put yellow mustard and mayonnaise and whisk them together.
- Add ketchup, apple cider vinegar, and brown sugar to the bowl. Mix everything well.
- Now, gradually add soy sauce while observing the color change of the mixture.
- Add hot sauce to get your preferred heat level.
- Refrigerate the mixture for at least 1 hour so that the flavors meld perfectly.
Nutrition
Conclusion
Duke’s Barbeque Sauce is one of the most famous grilling sauces. It complements well to all Southern-style meals well. Thanks to its bold, tangy, sweet flavor it has.
This Carolina BBQ condiment is not only flavorful, but also super easy to prepare. There is no need to cook. Just have some ingredients that are already present in your kitchen. Combine them, whisk them, and you are done. If needed, add more sweetness, tanginess, or spice level. And remember to store the jar in a clean jar every time and use it within 2 weeks while storing it in the refrigerator.
So, let us know how you customized your Duke’s BBQ dip!
FAQ
What Makes Duke’s Barbeque Sauce Unique?
Duke’s Southern sauce has a signature BBQ blend full of bold and tangy flavor. The vinegar makes it tangy, the brown sugar makes it sweet, and the hot sauce makes it spicy. In short, Duke’s sauce has a blend of every flavor.
Is Duke’s Bbq Sauce Mustard-based?
Yes, Duke’s BBQ sauce is a mustard-based sauce since it is made with yellow mustard. 2 cups of Duke’s BBQ sauce contain almost 1 cup of yellow mustard.
What Are the Best Meats to Pair With Duke’s Bbq Sauce?
Duke’s BBQ sauce complements most meats. Such as brisket, chicken, pork, and beef.
Where Can I Buy Duke’s Barbeque Sauce?
Duke’s barbecue sauce is available in online stores. Like Amazon, Walmart, Kroger, and Target.