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Carolina Gold BBQ Sauce Recipe

Carolina Gold BBQ Sauce Recipe
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Carolina Gold BBQ Sauce is a vibrant mustard-based sauce delivering a perfect balance of bold tanginess, sweetness, and subtle spiciness. This authentic Southern BBQ sauce is easy to make with everyday ingredients and versatile enough for ribs, chicken, pulled pork, grilled veggies, and more. Its bright golden color and unique flavor profile make it a must-have condiment for your next cookout or meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • 1 cup yellow mustard
  • 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons honey or brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 to 2 teaspoons hot sauce (adjust to taste)
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

Optional Variations

  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika or a splash of liquid smoke (for smoky version)
  • Extra cayenne pepper (for spicy twist)
  • 2 tablespoons peach or pineapple juice (for sweet and fruity twist)
  • Maple syrup instead of honey and vegan Worcestershire sauce (for vegan-friendly)
  • 1 teaspoon cornstarch slurry or longer simmer (for thicker sauce)

Instructions

  1. Combine the Base Ingredients: Whisk together yellow mustard, apple cider vinegar, and honey (or brown sugar) in a saucepan. This forms the tangy foundation and balances the sweetness for your sauce.
  2. Add Seasonings: Incorporate Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and salt into the saucepan. Stir well to combine all flavors evenly.
  3. Simmer and Blend Flavors: Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally. This melds flavors together and slightly thickens the sauce.
  4. Taste and Adjust: Remove from heat and taste your Carolina Gold BBQ Sauce. Adjust sweetness, acidity, or heat by adding more honey, vinegar, or hot sauce as desired.
  5. Cool and Store: Let the sauce cool to room temperature before transferring it into a clean jar or container. Refrigerate for at least an hour before use to deepen the flavors.

Notes

  • Use fresh, smooth yellow mustard for best flavor.
  • Adjust apple cider vinegar gradually to keep balanced acidity.
  • Simmer gently—avoid boiling to preserve bright notes and smooth texture.
  • Let the sauce rest overnight to enhance flavor complexity.
  • Add hot sauce in small increments to customize heat carefully.

Nutrition

Keywords: Carolina Gold BBQ Sauce, mustard BBQ sauce, Southern BBQ sauce, tangy BBQ sauce, mustard-based BBQ sauce, homemade BBQ sauce, easy BBQ sauce

Find it online: https://mealsbylina.com/carolina-gold-bbq-sauce-recipe/