Carolina Gold BBQ Sauce Recipe
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You'll love this lip-smacking Carolina Gold BBQ Sauce recipe that's made with tangy mustard, sweet honey, apple cider vinegar and bold spices that take it to the next level!
It tastes amazing on pulled pork sandwiches, as a dip for roasted potatoes, or slathered over smoked chuck roast and crispy chicken wings on the grill!
Why You'll Love It
- Quick and Easy: in only 15 minutes, you'll create a tangy mustard-based bbq sauce that will tickle your taste buds!
- Extreme Flavor: the combination of yellow mustard, vinegar and zesty spices creates a unique flavor that enhances many foods.
- Versatile: use it as a marinade, dipping sauce or savory sandwich spread.
Carolina Gold Sauce has roots in South Carolina where it's still one of their most popular regional barbecue condiments. In fact, the South Carolina BBQ Association has chosen it as the official barbecue sauce of the state!
The primary ingredient is classic yellow mustard, but the addition of zesty spices and other simple ingredients make it a local delicacy in the Carolinas.
I have to admit that it's my favorite condiment, and even though I'm from North Carolina, my neighbors down south really outdid themselves with this peppery concoction!
Ingredient Notes
Find all of the ingredients in your refrigerator, pantry, or local grocery store. See quantities in the recipe card at the end of this page.
- classic yellow mustard - use a good quality product with bold flavor
- clover honey - can substitute other types of honey or brown sugar
- apple cider vinegar - provides a nice balance to the honey
- tomato paste - can substitute ketchup if needed
- Worcestershire sauce - a little goes a long way
- hot sauce - optional, but adds great flavor
- garlic powder - an essential ingredient in bbq sauce
- onion powder - adds a hint of onion
- smoked paprika - be sure to use smoked paprika for the best flavor
- black pepper - gives this sauce its peppery taste
How to Make It
STEP 1: In a large mixing bowl, add mustard and all of the spices together.
STEP 2: Add the rest of the ingredients and whisk together until smooth.
STEP 3: Transfer contents to a saucepan and cook on the stovetop over medium heat until it comes to a slow boil. Stir frequently for 5 minutes.
STEP 4: Let cool at least 5 minutes. Pour into a pint size mason jar or airtight container. After it has cooled down, store it in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. Or, use immediately as a dipping sauce or marinade for chicken, pork, beef and fish.
Variations
It's fun to experiment and make this recipe your own by changing up the ingredients.
- Switch the mustard: try whole grain, sweet and hot mustard, or dijon mustard instead, but remember this will totally alter the taste.
- Add different spices: toss in some chili powder, mustard seeds, sriracha or jalapeños for more heat.
- Skip the honey: substitute brown sugar, maple syrup or add preserves like pineapple or apricot.
- Looking for another condiment you'll love? Try this recipe for Blueberry BBQ Sauce that will tickle your taste buds!
How to Serve Carolina Gold BBQ Sauce
Most local bbq joints or restaurants use Carolina Gold as a basting sauce. They slather it on everything from smoked baby back ribs to honey glazed pork chops and whole hogs!
However, basting smoked meats isn't the only way to enjoy this zesty mustard barbecue sauce. Try these other ideas...
- Sandwich Condiment: top off your honey butter chicken biscuit or pulled pork bbq with a mustard glaze.
- Marinade: smother it on poultry, beef, fish or pork and refrigerate overnight.
- Veggie Dip: dunk loaded french fries or caramelized brussels sprouts in Carolina Gold for a real kick!
- Meatloaf Topping: baste on top of pellet grilled smoked meatloaf.
- Baked Beans: stir into smoked baked beans for amazing flavor.
- Pork Tenderloin: drizzle it on baked pork tenderloin and roasted potatoes.
- Corned Beef: add a dab to your favorite corned beef reuben, or serve it alongside dutch oven corned beef on St. Patrick's Day!
Recipe FAQs
As long as it's sealed in an airtight container and kept in the refrigerator, it will last 2 weeks.
If it's made without Worcestershire or soy sauce, then it's gluten-free. But if those ingredients are added, there's gluten involved. You can always leave out any ingredient that contains gluten if necessary.
The great thing about making your own recipe is that you can control the spice level. This recipe is not spicy at all, but it does have a bold flavor from the combination of ingredients. If you like tons of spice, feel free to add more!
Expert Tips
- Make the recipe in small batches. It's easier to control the flavor with a smaller portion. This batch made 1 pint.
- Use the best ingredients you can find. Choose a high quality vinegar and the best prepared yellow mustard with plenty of bold flavor.
- The longer this recipe stays in the refrigerator, the better it tastes. It takes time for all of the ingredients to blend together.
Storage and Freezing
Make Ahead - mix a batch of bbq sauce in advance and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
Leftovers - keep leftovers in a sealed mason jar or airtight container.
Freezing - this recipe can be frozen in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw sauce in the refrigerator overnight and stir well before serving.
More Barbecue Favorites
If you're serving barbecue, you gotta have some great side dishes to go with it! Try Carolina Gold on your favorite burger with a side of creamy southern slaw and homemade potato salad. It also goes great with sweet pickled onions and pickled green tomatoes!
Recipe Card
Carolina Gold BBQ Sauce Recipe
*See notes in blog post for detailed tips, photos and instructions.
Ingredients
- 1 cup yellow mustard
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ cup honey
- 1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 Tablespoon hot sauce (use less if you don't like spice)
- 1 Tablespoon tomato paste (can substitute ketchup)
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, add mustard and spices together.1 cup yellow mustard, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon onion powder, 2 teaspoons smoked paprika, ½ teaspoon black pepper
- Add the rest of the ingredients and whisk together until smooth.½ cup honey, ¼ cup apple cider vinegar, 1 Tablespoon hot sauce, 1 Tablespoon tomato paste
- Transfer sauce to a saucepan and cook on the stovetop over medium heat until it comes to a slow boil. Stir frequently for 5 minutes.
- Let sauce cool down at least 5 minutes. Pour the tangy sauce into a pint size mason jar or airtight container.
- When sauce has cooled to room temperature, store it in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. Or, use immediately as a dipping sauce, basting recipe or marinade.
Notes
- Make Ahead - mix a batch of bbq sauce in advance and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
- Leftovers - keep leftovers in a sealed mason jar or airtight container.
- Freezing - this recipe can be frozen in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw sauce in the refrigerator overnight and stir well before serving.
Nutrition
Nutrition info is an auto generated estimate.
Tried this Recipe and Loved It? ❤️ Please scroll down and leave a *STAR* review!
Definitely gonna try this!
Thanks Anecia! I hope you loved it!
I was raised on Maurice Bessinger'sauce in Columbia
That's some good sauce Maxie!
This is such an easy and delicious recipe!! I'll be using this barbecue sauce all summer, thanks for sharing it!
Thank you Shareba! 🙂
I love Carolina Gold barbecue sauce! I never thought about making it myself, but now I can't wait to try your recipe.