Carolina Gold BBQ Sauce is a distinct and much-loved condiment for just about anything smoked or barbecued in South Carolina. This unique mustard-based recipe shines a golden color on your favorite barbecued and smoked meats.
When it comes to BBQ sauce, most Americans typically reach for a classic tomato-based barbecue sauce. But this tangy mustard-based sauce might just change your mind.
With a beautiful golden color from the mustard and a touch of sweetness from the brown sugar and honey, Carolina Gold BBQ sauce takes minutes to make and is guaranteed to become a family favorite.
Mustards have always been a part of German culinary traditions. During the 1700s migration to the Carolina midlands, German immigrants not only brought their German heritage but also their love of mustards.
Carolina Gold BBQ sauce found its roots though that love of mustard and the area’s wild hog population, creating a South Carolina tradition.
If you enjoy making homemade craft BBQ sauces, make sure to try our Alabama white sauce and tangy semi-homemade BBQ sauce recipes.
Ingredients to make Carolina Gold BBQ Sauce
Let’s start by gathering the ingredients we need to make an authentic Carolina Gold BBQ Sauce recipe. In Chef Speak, this is called the Mise en Place, which translates into Everything in its Place.
Not only does setting your ingredients up ahead of time speed the cooking process, but it also helps ensure you have everything you need to make the dish.
Can I use other ingredients to make the Carolina Gold Sauce?
Yes, you can. You can use mustard seeds instead of dry mustard, maple syrup or high fructose corn syrup instead of honey, and tomato paste instead of ketchup.
We used cayenne pepper to add a little heat, but you can also use your favorite hot sauce.
I wouldn’t advise using all Dijon mustard but ¼ cup can be swapped for the yellow mustard.
How to make Carolina Gold BBQ Sauce
- Add the yellow mustard, ketchup, honey, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, and brown sugar to a saucepan over medium heat.
- Stir to combine and simmer until the brown sugar has dissolved into the mustard mixture (about 10 minutes).
- Add the dry mustard, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and cayenne pepper to the mixture.
- Whisk to combine and continue to simmer for an additional 5 minutes.
*Set the sauce aside for 30 minutes to cool slightly and allow the flavors to blend.
The perfect balance of spicy-sweet and tangy, combined with its natural smoke flavor, enhances the flavors of pulled pork or your favorite style of ribs.
Carolina Gold BBQ Sauce enhances the flavors of grilled and smoked meats and also makes a great marinade and salad dressing.
Store this tangy mustard-based sauce refrigerated in an airtight container for up to two weeks.
Recipe FAQ’s
It’s a mustard-based barbecue sauce originating from South Carolina. It has a tangy, slightly sweet flavor with a touch of heat. The distinct flavor is a delicious alternative to the more common tomato-based sauces.
It’s generally not considered to be very spicy. However, adding hot sauce or cayenne pepper can add a bit of heat and kick up the spice level to your preference.
Absolutely! In fact, making the sauce a day or two in advance allows the flavors to meld together, enhancing the overall taste.
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Carolina Gold BBQ Sauce (Mustard Sauce)
Ingredients
- 1 cup yellow mustard
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoon honey
- 2 tablespoon ketchup
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon dry mustard
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon salt more or less to taste
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper optional- more or less to taste
Instructions
- Add the yellow mustard, ketchup, honey, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, and brown sugar to a saucepan over medium heat. Stir to combine and simmer until the brown sugar has dissolved into the mustard mixture (about 10 minutes)
- Add the dry mustard, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and cayenne pepper to the mixture. Whisk to combine and simmer for 5 minutes.
- Set the sauce aside for 30 minutes before using it to allow the flavors to blend together.
- If you are not using the sauce right away, store it refrigerated in an airtight container for up to two weeks.
- Serve with brisket, pulled pork, grilled chicken, pulled chicken, burgers. or as a condiment on your favorite sandwiches.
- You can reheat the sauce when needed if you prefer it warm, or use it cold.
Lisa says
I’m excited to able to make this sauce at home!