Enhance BBQ recipes with homemade Carolina gold BBQ sauce! The tangy, golden BBQ sauce is a unique blend of mustard, apple cider vinegar, honey, Worcestershire sauce, and spices. Slather your favorite BBQ with the Carolina gold barbecue sauce. Use it as a dipping sauce or as a zesty marinade.
What is Carolina Gold BBQ Sauce?
Unlike traditional tomato-based BBQ or vinegar sauces, Carolina BBQ sauce has a vibrant, golden hue and distinctively tangy mustard base that takes its cues from classic Carolina barbecue.
Its creation is rooted in German heritage and was introduced to South Carolina by German immigrants who forever influenced the barbecue culture in the South with their love for mustard and pork.
Today, pit masters and home cooks use the mustard-based sauce to add a yellow hue and a tangy, slightly spicy flavor to complement the natural smoke flavor of BBQ.
Key Ingredients
- Mustard: Classic yellow mustard gives authentic Carolina gold BBQ sauce its signature color. You can use another type of mustard, like Dijon mustard, but it will alter the color and taste of the sauce.
- Apple Cider Vinegar: Apple cider vinegar is a tangy, sweet addition to the zesty condiment. Try white vinegar if you want more of a kick.
- Honey: Sweeten the sauce with honey or try agave nectar, maple syrup, or brown sugar.
- Worcestershire Sauce: Umami-rich Worcestershire sauce adds the perfect balance of flavor.
- Hot Sauce: Add a splash of your favorite hot sauce like Original Tabasco, Texas Pete, Crystal Hot Sauce, or Cholula for some heat.
- Spices: Flavor the homemade BBQ sauce with kosher salt, coarse ground black pepper, and cayenne pepper.
Additions and Substitutions
Adjust the flavor of the sauce. You can make it sweeter by adding more honey, but if you enjoy a tangier sauce, include more vinegar or fresh lemon juice. Replace the cayenne with different types of paprika if you have a low tolerance for heat.
- Add tomatoey flavor. Depending on where you are in South Carolina, some recipes call for ketchup (about ¼ cup) or a tablespoon of tomato paste for extra flavor.
- Thicken it up. Thicken the mustard-based BBQ sauce by whisking ¼ teaspoon of xanthan gum into the other ingredients.
Tools You’ll Need
You will need a heavy saucepan, a wooden spoon, and an airtight container to make the barbecue sauce. And don’t forget a Mason or Weck jar to store the homemade sauces.
How to Make Carolina Gold BBQ Sauce
The full recipe with measurements is in the recipe card below.
Step 1: Combine the ingredients in a small saucepan. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat, stirring to prevent the ingredients from sticking to the bottom.
Step 2: Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 3-5 minutes until the mixture has a caramel color. Remove the pan from heat and let the sauce cool to room temperature.
Expert Tips
- Do you have to cook the BBQ sauce? No. Mix the ingredients in a small bowl, and it’s ready to serve. However, if the sauce is thinner than you’d like, bring it to a boil and let it simmer for a few minutes to thicken and deepen the flavor.
- Let it cool. Once the sauce cools completely, pop it in the fridge to help it thicken even more.
If you enjoy Carolina gold sauce, pair it with one of these BBQ recipes!
Serving Suggestions
Pair Carolina gold sauce with everything from brisket sliders and beef ribs to pulled pork sandwiches, beef sandwiches, and lamb shoulder chops. Just like mustard rib rub, the BBQ sauce is an excellent marinade for boneless leg of lamb, pork shoulder, chicken breasts, pork chops, and pork tenderloin; the mustard and vinegar work to tenderize the meat.
As if that’s not enough, the tangy sauce is a perfect dip for crispy hush puppies, sweet potato fries, fingerling potatoes, onion rings, chicken nuggets, and tater tots.
What To Do With Leftovers
- Refrigerate: Store the leftover Carolina gold BBQ sauce in an airtight container like a Mason jar for one week.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes Carolina BBQ sauce different?
Golden BBQ sauce is a staple in the BBQ scene in South Carolina. It’s known for having a tangy and slightly spicy mustard flavor compared to vinegar or tomato-based BBQ sauces in other parts of the South.
Is Carolina gold BBQ sauce spicy?
Traditional BBQ sauce recipes are not spicy, but I enjoy adding hot sauce and cayenne pepper to round out the flavors. If you are sensitive to spicy food, leave them out and add a dash of paprika for color instead.
What type of mustard is in Carolina gold BBQ sauce?
Classic yellow mustard is the traditional choice to give the sauce its bright color and flavor.
More Sauce Recipes:
Carolina Gold BBQ Sauce
- Wooden Spoon
- ¾ cup yellow mustard
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon coarse black pepper
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- Combine the ingredients in a small saucepan. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat, stirring to prevent the ingredients from sticking to the bottom.
- Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 3-5 minutes until the mixture has a caramel color. Remove the pan from heat and let the sauce cool to room temperature.
- Do you have to cook the BBQ sauce? No. Mix the ingredients in a small bowl, and it’s ready to serve. However, if the sauce is thinner than you’d like, bring it to a boil and let it simmer for a few minutes to thicken and deepen the flavor.
- Let it cool. Once the sauce cools completely, pop it in the fridge to help it thicken even more.