Carolina Gold BBQ Sauce Recipe

This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

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!

a spoonful of Carolina Gold BBQ sauce over a mason jar.

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!

spoon dripping into bbq sauce in a mason jar.

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
Ingredients needed to make the sauce.

How to Make It

STEP 1: In a large mixing bowl, add mustard and all of the spices together.

Spices added to mustard in white dish.

STEP 2: Add the rest of the ingredients and whisk together until smooth.

Mixing bbq sauce with a whisk.

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.

Sauce after it's been mixed together with a whisk.

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.

Mason jar filled with bbq sauce.

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!
Barbecue sauce on a bbq sandwich.

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...

Recipe FAQs

How long does Carolina Gold BBQ Sauce last?

As long as it's sealed in an airtight container and kept in the refrigerator, it will last 2 weeks.

Is this recipe gluten free?

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.

Is Carolina Gold sauce spicy?

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. 
pouring in hot sauce to other ingredients.

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

mason jar filled with Carolina Gold BBQ Sauce on a spoon.

Carolina Gold BBQ Sauce Recipe

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!
5 from 5 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: BBQ, Sauces
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Resting Tiime: 5 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Servings8
Calories: 101kcal

*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

Calories: 101kcal | Carbohydrates: 21g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 0.1g | Sodium: 577mg | Potassium: 128mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 18g | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 36mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition info is an auto generated estimate.

Love this recipe? PIN it!Visit @quichemygrits or tag #quichemygrits!

Tried this Recipe and Loved It? ❤️ Please scroll down and leave a *STAR* review!

7 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    This is such an easy and delicious recipe!! I'll be using this barbecue sauce all summer, thanks for sharing it!

  2. 5 stars
    I love Carolina Gold barbecue sauce! I never thought about making it myself, but now I can't wait to try your recipe.

5 from 5 votes (1 rating without comment)

Leave a Review

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Please RATE this RECIPE: