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    Home » Blog » Condiments » Carolina BBQ Sauce Recipe

    Carolina BBQ Sauce Recipe

    Published: Dec 14, 2022 · Modified: Jan 27, 2023 by Aimee Mars · This post may contain affiliate links.

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    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    BBQ sauce in a wide mouth Mason jar with some dripping down the side.

    This tangy vinegar-based bbq sauce, also known as Western-style or Lexington-style, is a southern staple in the Carolinas. Carolina BBQ Sauce can be made thick or thin and runny and has a slight kick to it from hot sauce and pepper.

    Carolina vinegar-based bbq sauce in a wide-mouth Mason jar with sauce dripping down the side.

    Why You’ll Love This Recipe

    • Tastes better from scratch. Making your own homemade condiments whether it’s a Hot Bacon Salad Dressing or bbq sauce, such as Alabama White Sauce, always tastes better from scratch. This sauce is simmered down to perfect, which allows the flavors to bloom.
    • Thick or thin. Carolina bbq sauce can range from a thicker consistency to a more runny almost translucent sauce so when you prepare you’re own you get to choose the consistency. This may come across as controversial to many who reside in Western Carolina where this sauce originated who swear one way or the other is correct.
    • Helps tenderize the meat. Not to be confused with Carolina Gold BBQ Sauce this version contains vinegar instead of mustard. Since it is a vinegar-based sauce it helps to tenderize the meat while adding flavor making it extra juicy.

    Ingredients

    If you’re looking for a Carolina bbq sauce recipe for pulled pork, look no further. The ingredient combination of this sauce makes it perfect for Pulled Pork, which I recommend turning into Pulled Pork Sliders.

    • Apple Cider Vinegar
    • Brown Sugar
    • Ketchup
    • Worcestershire Sauce
    • Seasonings – garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and salt.

    How to Make Carolina BBQ Sauce

    BBQ sauce process steps 1 and 2.
    1. Dissolve the sugar and salt. Pour the vinegar, brown sugar, and salt into a medium saucepan over medium heat and bring the mixture to a soft boil, stirring occasionally.
    2. Simmer to desired consistency. Add the remaining ingredients and reduce the heat to a simmer. Allow the mixture to simmer, stirring occasionally for 20 to 40 minutes. Less time will produce a runny sauce whereas more time will result in a thicker sauce.
    Thick bbq sauce in a white saucepan.
    1. Cool. Allow the sauce to cool slightly before moving it to a jar to store for later use or you can pour it straight onto some Instant Pot Pulled Pork or Country Style Ribs.

    Recipe Tips

    • Storage Information: to store your sauce pour it into a Mason jar and seal it with a lid or place it into a glass jar with a lid and keep it stored in the fridge. It will last for up to 2 weeks stored in the fridge.
    • Cover your saucepan with a lid for the last 15 minutes of simmering because it will begin to splatter.
    • Make-Ahead Instructions: I recommend preparing this sauce 2 to 3 days in advance of when you plan on serving it. This allows the flavors to bloom and marinate together.
    • Toss some of this bbq sauce with this Instant Pot Pork Butt for an insanely delicious meal.

    FAQS

    What makes Carolina bbq sauce different?

    Carolina-style bbq sauce has more of a tangy flavor due to the vinegar than other bbq sauces and often is slightly sweet with a kick. It can also range from a runny somewhat translucent sauce to a thicker more traditional bbq sauce texture.

    What is the difference between Western-style Carolina bbq sauce and Eastern-style Carolina bbq sauce?

    There are no shortages of bbq sauces in the south and each area or region has its own version. Western style, also known as Lexington-style bbq sauce, uses ketchup, and brown sugar, and is seasoned with spices. The consistency is thicker but can also range to a more runny liquid. The eastern-style bbq sauce is always runny and doesn’t use ketchup. Instead, it uses mustard, which results in a gold sauce.

    More Sauce Recipes

    • Alabama White Sauce Recipe
    • Chimichurri Recipe
    • Maple Bourbon Barbecue Sauce
    • Vegan Strawberry Sauce

    If you enjoyed this easy recipe, please leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating and a comment below. You can also share a photo and tag me on Instagram using @AimeeMarsLiving and #AimeeMars.

    Vinegar based bbq sauce in a jar.

    Carolina BBQ Sauce Recipe

    This tangy vinegar-based bbq sauce is a southern staple in the Carolinas. Carolina BBQ Sauce can be made thick or thin and runny and has a slight kick to it from hot sauce and pepper.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Condiment
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Cook Time: 40 minutes
    Total Time: 50 minutes
    Servings: 4 cups
    Calories: 215kcal
    Author: Aimee Mars

    Equipment

    • Saucepan

    Ingredients

    • 3 cups Apple Cider Vinegar
    • ½ cup Dark Brown Sugar
    • 1 cup Ketchup
    • 1 teaspoon Hot Sauce
    • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce
    • 2 teaspoons Garlic Powder
    • 2 teaspoons Onion Powder
    • 1 teaspoon Salt
    • ½ teaspoon Black Pepper

    Instructions

    • Pour the vinegar, brown sugar, and salt into a medium saucepan over medium heat and bring the mixture to a soft boil, stirring occasionally.
    • Add the remaining ingredients and reduce the heat to a simmer. Allow the mixture to simmer, stirring occasionally for 20 to 40 minutes. Less time will produce a runny sauce whereas more time will result in a thicker sauce.
    • Allow the sauce to cool slightly before moving it to a jar to store for later use or you can pour it straight onto some pulled pork.

    Notes

    • Storage Information: to store your sauce pour it into a Mason jar and seal it with a lid or place it into a glass jar with a lid and keep it stored in the fridge. It will last for up to 2 weeks stored in the fridge.
    • Cover your saucepan with a lid for the last 15 minutes of simmering because it will begin to splatter.
    • Make-Ahead Instructions: I recommend preparing this sauce 2 to 3 days in advance of when you plan on serving it. This allows the flavors to bloom and marinate together.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1serving | Calories: 215kcal | Carbohydrates: 48g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 0.1g | Saturated Fat: 0.02g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.04g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.02g | Sodium: 1226mg | Potassium: 403mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 41g | Vitamin A: 314IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 55mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @AimeeMarsLiving or tag #AimeeMarsLiving!

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