Carolina Gold BBQ Sauce
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This Carolina Gold BBQ sauce is liquid gold for your taste buds! Unlike a traditional BBQ sauce, it has a tangy, mustard-based sauce packed with rich umami flavor and a touch of natural smokiness. Perfect for pulled pork sandwiches or as a dipping sauce for chicken wings, this easy recipe will earn a permanent spot in your kitchen lineup.
What is Carolina Gold Barbecue Sauce?
Carolina Gold BBQ sauce is an iconic mustard-based sauce hailing from central South Carolina, where it’s a staple in the local barbecue culture. Unlike traditional tomato-based BBQ sauces, this golden BBQ sauce gets its signature tangy, slightly sweet, and spicy kick from a combination of mustard, vinegar, brown sugar, and spices—a perfect balance that sets it apart.
Made with Simple Ingredients
- Yellow mustard
- Apple cider vinegar
- Honey
- Ketchup
- Worcestershire sauce
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Smoked paprika
- Black pepper
- Cayenne pepper
How to Make Carolina Gold BBQ Sauce
1. In a small saucepan, whisk together all ingredients until smooth. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally.
2. Next, reduce the heat and let it simmer for 8–10 minutes until slightly thickened.
3. Once thickened, remove from the heat and let the sauce cool. It will thicken more as it cools. Serve and enjoy!
Frequently Asked Questions
Carolina gold BBQ sauce is a tangy, sweet, and mildly spicy mustard-based sauce with vinegar, molasses, and a touch of hot sauce. If you are sensitive to spice, you may want to start with a small amount and gradually add more to your taste.
For this recipe, you likely won’t need to thicken the BBQ sauce, but if you do, it’s easy to fix. Use either flour or cornstarch as a thickener. Mix 2 tablespoons of flour with ¼ cup of water, or combine 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 1 tablespoon of water. Stir until the mixture is smooth and free of lumps, then add it to your sauce for the perfect consistency.
This mustard-based BBQ sauce is incredibly versatile. Slather it on pork ribs, drizzle it over pork chops, or toss it with chicken thighs for a tangy kick. Try swapping the sauce in my Pan-Seared Pork Chops with Velvet Cream Sauce or Southern Smothered Chicken for this golden BBQ twist, or pair it with my Easy Baby Back Ribs for a finger-licking main course.
It’s also amazing mixed into crunchy coleslaw (like my Best Coleslaw recipe!) for a refreshing side dish. Honestly, you can’t go wrong. This sauce adds extra Carolina zing to just about anything!
Storage
Store your Carolina gold BBQ sauce in a clean jar or an airtight container to keep it fresh. Place it in the fridge, where it will stay good for up to 2 weeks.
Carolina Gold BBQ Sauce Recipe
Whip up this tangy, sweet, and slightly spicy Carolina Gold BBQ Sauce Recipe—a mustard-based Southern classic perfect for ribs, pulled pork, grilled chicken, and more! Ready in minutes with simple ingredients, it’s a game-changer for any BBQ lover.
Ingredients
- 1 cup yellow mustard
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 cup honey
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Pinch of cayenne
Instructions
- In a small saucepan, whisk together all ingredients until smooth.
- Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally.
- Reduce heat and let it simmer for 8–10 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Remove from heat and let cool. The sauce will thicken more as it cools.
- Store in a jar or an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
