My “famous” tangy & slightly sweet mustard-based “Carolina” style BBQ sauce.
Carolina Style BBQ Sauce is a tangy, vinegar-based sauce with a kick, perfect for enhancing smoked meats. This regional classic from the Carolinas blends sharp mustard and apple cider vinegar with a hint of sweetness from brown sugar, balanced by spicy notes of red pepper flakes.
Quick to whip up, it delivers bold flavor with every bite. Ideal for BBQ lovers who crave a lighter, punchier alternative to tomato-based sauces.
This is probably one of my most famous recipes of all time. I used to serve this on pulled pork, which I made for weddings, for army FRG fundraisers (sold out – 40 lbs in 40 minutes), it was requested at almost every big family event. It was even mentioned in the engraving on an award I was given. Yep, it’s that good!
I now make this for pulled chicken or turkey, and it is just as amazing!
I loved this message that I received from fellow Army Wife, Becca:
I have to share our funny moving story. The packers were supposed to come Friday to start packing. So I planned to stop dinners then. I have food for breakfast and lunch, but I did not want to search through boxes to cook dinners. Not this time! LOL Well, they say they will pack in 1 day on Monday. So back to cooking. And family are coming into town for Denny’s graduation. I said I’d do Pulled Pork for ease. Denny says, “But we do not have enough Awesome Sauce.” (Your Carolina Style BBQ Sauce) I said, “Well, I guess you have to use regular this time.” Que blank stare. He says, “Nay, I think you should make some, and we will just have to add a little cooler to transport it in the move.” You have created a monster, my friend. LOL
Did you Make this Recipe? I’d love for you to give me a 5 star rating in the recipe card below. If you share it on Instagram, please tag me! You can also post it to my Facebook Page.
From a Reader:
I made this for our Sunday supper and everyone went back for seconds 😋 So glad I found this recipe for tomato less BBQ Sauce. I’ve been looking everywhere for a sauce like this because of a tomato allergy 😩 Thank you for sharing this recipe.
Margaret
Constance’s Famous Carolina Style BBQ Sauce
Ingredients
- 2 c yellow mustard
- 1 ½ c apple cider vinegar
- 1 c water
- 2 c granulated sugar
- ½ c brown sugar
- ¼ c chili powder
- ¼ c unsalted butter
- 2 Tb Liquid Smoke, hickory flavor
- 2 tsp ground black pepper
- 2 tsp soy sauce, or coconut aminos
- 2 tsp red pepper flakes, optional for hot version
- ½ tsp cayenne pepper
Instructions
- Make this sauce the day before you plan to make your BBQ. That allows the flavor to fully develop before you use it.
- In a sauce pan, combine all of the sauce ingredients over medium heat. Stirring often, bring the mixture to a gentle boil.
- Reduce the heat and let it simmer for 15 minutes. Remove it from the heat and allow it to cool to room temperature.
To Make Two Versions, for a Hot & Mild Option
- Ladle about 1½ cups of the sauce into a small sauce pan.
- Add the red pepper flakes to the sauce pan and let it simmer for 10 minutes.
- Remove the sauce from the heat and allow it to come to room temperature. This will get spicier as it sits.
Finishing Up
- When the sauce is room temperature, pour it into bottles or jars and refrigerate overnight. After that, use as you like!
Equipment Used
Notes
Nutrition
If nutritional values are provided for this recipe, they are an estimate and will vary depending on the brands of ingredients you use. The values do not include optional ingredients or when ingredients are added to taste or for serving. If nutritional values are very important to you, I suggest using your favorite nutritional calculating tool with the brands you use.
Unit Conversions:
Unit Conversion for measurements (if displayed), going from US to Metric is an auto-generated conversion. If you are using the metric measurements, please double-check to confirm that these are accurate with your favorite preferred conversion tool.
This recipe was originally published in 2012, updated in 2025.
I can see why it is famous!! This recipe looks like a winner!!
Any BBq is good BBQ for me, but I never get BBq sauce quite right, so Excited to try this! (I have no Idea why my comment is in ALL caps!)
I am planning on making some buns this weekend and this is now a must make to fill those with – mmm , I am so hungry now. What a great recipe that I cannot wait to make now. Thanks for sharing, oh, my hubby will be over the moon ;-)
I can totally see why this recipe is so popular! I must say I’m a sucker for that sauce, mmm!
This sauce is amazing! Smells really mustardy, but is a real nice blend of sweet and savory. Not overpowering at all. I did sample (couldn't wait!) and this is amazing!!
Thank you Mike!! I'm asked to make this a lot :)
Love all the spices in this. I could eat it plain minus the bread ! Love the new look of your blog :) !
Thank you!
Aww man, it's been so long since I've made this. Lvoe it!
Mmm Carolina sauce reminds me of what my grandpa always used to make. It was the best and no one in the family can replicate it now. I have never tried making my own, but yours sounds so delicious that I think I need to!
Mmmm, looks amazing.
Mmm.
WOW! That was worth every bite! thanks for sharing Constance!
I'm a big fan of pulled pork. I like your homemade sauce and the option to make it mild or hot.
That looks so good. Could you please have some sent over for the game!!