- February 13, 2024
- Grilling
Carolina Gold BBQ Sauce Recipe
Carolina Gold BBQ Sauce is a tangy, mustard-based concoction that originates from South Carolina, offering a delightful departure from the traditional tomato-based BBQ sauces. Its vibrant golden hue and zesty flavor profile, highlighted by mustard, vinegar, honey, and spices, make it a perfect complement for pork, chicken, and a variety of grilled or smoked meats.
Dive into the vibrant and tangy world of Carolina Gold BBQ Sauce, a delectable condiment that’s quickly becoming a must-have at any barbecue gathering. This golden delight is not just any sauce; it’s a journey into the heart of South Carolina’s barbecue culture, where mustard-based sauces reign supreme.
Crafted from simple, grocery store ingredients, this recipe is easy to follow and guarantees to add a zesty twist to your favorite dishes. Whether you’re a seasoned pitmaster or trying your hand at homemade BBQ sauce for the first time, this Carolina Gold BBQ Sauce recipe promises to be a game-changer, turning ordinary meals into mouthwatering feasts.
What Is Carolina Gold BBQ Sauce
Carolina Gold BBQ Sauce is a mustard-based barbecue sauce that originates from central South Carolina, a region with a strong German heritage. Unlike traditional tomato-based BBQ sauces, this golden sauce boasts a mustard base, giving it a tangy and slightly sweet flavor profile. It’s the perfect balance of apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, honey mustard, and spices like cayenne pepper and black pepper, making it a great sauce for chicken wings, pork chops, pork ribs, and even beef brisket.
Why This Recipe Works
This Carolina mustard BBQ sauce recipe captures the essence of what makes a mustard-based barbecue sauce incredibly appealing. Its success lies in the careful balance of flavors and textures that cater to a wide range of taste preferences. Here are three key reasons why this recipe is a standout:
- Perfect Flavor Balance: Combining classic yellow mustard with the sweetness of honey mustard and light brown sugar, alongside the tanginess of apple cider vinegar, creates a sauce that hits all the right notes. This balance ensures that it complements rather than overwhelms your barbecue dishes.
- Versatility: Whether you’re slathering it on chicken wings, or pork ribs, or using it as a tangy dressing for potato salad, this sauce adds a unique twist. Its ability to pair well with a variety of dishes makes it a versatile addition to any BBQ spread.
- Easy to Make with Pantry Staples: The simple ingredients required for this sauce are likely already in your pantry or easily found at your local grocery store. This accessibility, combined with an easy-to-follow recipe, means you can whip up a batch of this golden BBQ sauce with minimal effort, anytime the craving strikes.
Supplies Needed
- Medium Saucepan
- Whisk
- Measuring Cups & Spoons
- Glass Mason Jar (for storing)
Ingredients
- Yellow Mustard: This is the best type of mustard for this recipe, avoid whole-ground mustard or Dijon for this mustard-based BBQ sauce.
- Honey: Use a standard honey that doesn’t have too much floral intensity.
- Brown Sugar: Be sure to allow this to fully dissolve in your sauce for best results.
- Ketchup: You can substitute with tomato paste or a little tomato sauce to add some acidity
- Apple Cider Vinegar: Adds a light vinegar taste for a tangy sauce.
- Worcestershire Sauce
- Paprika
- Garlic Powder
- Onion Powder
- Salt
- Black Pepper
- Tabasco Sauce (or other hot sauce if desired)
How To Make Homemade Carolina Gold BBQ Sauce
- Start by combining all the ingredients in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat.
- Stir the mixture well until it’s smooth and the sugar has dissolved.
- Let the sauce simmer for about 10-15 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together perfectly.
- Once done, let the sauce cool to room temperature before transferring it to a mason jar or an airtight container for storage.
Variations
This Carolina Gold barbecue sauce recipe is versatile. Feel free to adjust the spices to make a spicier sauce or add liquid smoke for a deeper flavor. You can also play with the mustard base by trying different types of mustard for new flavors. I also like to add a little beer on occasion for a fun variation.
Storing And Serving
Store your Carolina Gold sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It keeps well and even improves with a bit of age, allowing the flavors to deepen. Serve it with your favorite barbecue dishes, like pulled pork sandwiches, or pork ribs, on smoked chicken wings or oven baked BBQ chicken, or as a dipping sauce for french fries, onion rings, or soft pretzels.
More Recipes To Try
Keto Carolina Style BBQ Mustard Sauce
Carolina Gold BBQ Sauce Recipe
Ingredients
- 1.5 cups Yellow Mustard
- 1/3 cup Honey
- 1/4 cup Brown Sugar
- 1 tbsp Ketchup
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire Sauce
- 3 cloves Garlic minced finely
- 1 tsp Smoky Paprika
- 1/2 tsp Onion Powder
- 1/2 tsp Black Pepper
- 1/2 tsp Kosher Salt
- 10 dashes Tabasco Sauce use less if you don't want the heat
Instructions
- In a pot over medium- low heat combine the mustard, honey, brown sugar, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, and apple cider vinegar.
- Add in the paprika, onion powder, black pepper, and kosher salt and whisk to combine.
- Let the mixture cook on a light simmer until heated through about 5-6 minutes.
- Remove from the heat and taste test to adjust seasonings. Add in the Tabasco sauce for additional heat.
- Let cool full before storing in a glass jar in the fridge.