This Carolina Gold BBQ Sauce is a mustard-based barbecue sauce that is tangy and sweet, with a little hint of heat. It's a South Carolina regional specialty that is perfect to cut through rich, fatty smoked meats like pulled pork. This 10-minute recipe uses simple pantry staples to create a professional-grade sauce that is better than anything you can buy at the store.
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Why You'll Love This Carolina Gold BBQ Sauce
- Ready in just 10 minutes: Just whisk, simmer, and cool. It's that easy.
- Kid-friendly flavor: Sweet, tangy, and just mildly spicy.
- Versatile: Great on grilled chicken, pulled pork, sandwiches, and more.
- Easy ingredients: Uses pantry staples you probably already have.
- Long Shelf Life: This keeps beautifully in the fridge for up to a month, making it a great make-ahead condiment.
What is Carolina Gold Sauce?
Authentic Carolina Gold BBQ sauce is a mustard-based barbecue sauce that originated with German immigrants in the Midlands and Low Country of South Carolina.
Known for its vibrant color and unique tangy-sweet flavor, it's a must-have in your BBQ repertoire. Unlike tomato-based sauces, Carolina Gold relies on mustard and vinegar, creating its signature zing and golden hue.
Ingredients
- Yellow Mustard: This is the base of the "Gold." Use a classic ballpark-style yellow mustard. Avoid Dijon or spicy brown mustards here; they are too assertive and will change the iconic color.
- Apple cider vinegar: Provides the essential tanginess; white vinegar can substitute in a pinch.
- Honey and Brown Sugar: We use both to get a complex sweetness. The honey adds a beautiful gloss, while the brown sugar adds a hint of molasses depth.
- Spices: Garlic powder, black pepper, and a pinch of cayenne round out the flavor.
See the recipe card at the bottom of this post for the complete list of ingredients and measurements.
How to Make Carolina Gold Barbeque Sauce
- Combine ingredients: In a small saucepan, whisk together the mustard, apple cider vinegar, honey, brown sugar, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper.
- Simmer gently: Place the pan over medium heat. Bring it to a very gentle simmer. Look for small bubbles around the edges. Don't boil it vigorously, as you don't want to scorch the sugar or mustard. Cook for around 5 minutes until the sugar is melted and the sauce becomes glossy.
- Let the sauce cool: Remove from heat and let the sauce cool, then transfer to a jar or air-tight container and refrigerate. Let the sauce refrigerate for at least 1 hour, preferably overnight, before serving to help the flavors meld.
Recipe Tips
- Cook Gently: Keep the cooking heat moderate to avoid scorching the sauce.
- Thin it Out: If you prefer a thinner "mop" style sauce, whisk in 1-2 tablespoons of water or extra vinegar at the end.
- Adjusting the Heat: To make this a "Spicy Gold" sauce, double the cayenne or add a few dashes of your favorite vinegar-based hot sauce.
- The Umami Boost: If you want a more "restaurant-style" depth, add 1 teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce to the mix while simmering.
- Rest the Sauce: While you can eat this immediately, it is significantly better after a day in the fridge. The vinegar "bite" mellows, and the honey/sugar flavors deepen.
Storage and Reheating
- Storage: Store in an airtight jar or container in the refrigerator for up to one month.
- Reheating: This sauce can be served cold or gently reheated on the stove or in the microwave before serving if desired.
How to Serve Gold BBQ Sauce
This Carolina gold barbecue sauce is a great choice for most of your favorite barbecue dishes. It's perfect when you want a sauce that's not overly sweet.
Smoked meats like smoked pork butt and ribs are great coated with this tangy sauce. Grilled chicken legs and smoked pork chops are also great choices.
It's also good on grilled chicken sandwiches and is a perfect dipping sauce for chicken tenders and smoked chicken wings, too!
Frequently Asked Questions
This recipe is mild, with just a small amount of cayenne pepper and black pepper. And it's easy to customize to your taste. If you prefer less heat, reduce the amount of cayenne pepper. For spicy gold bbq sauce you can increase the amount of cayenne and add in your favorite hot sauce.
Yellow mustard is the traditional choice for Carolina gold sauce.
Yes! While they share a base, Carolina Gold has much more vinegar and added spices (garlic, cayenne), making it a savory BBQ sauce rather than a creamy salad dressing.
It was brought to South Carolina by German immigrants in the 1700s. They brought their love for mustard-based sauces for pork, which eventually evolved into the BBQ tradition we love today.
More Barbecue Sauce Recipes
📖 Recipe
Carolina Gold BBQ Sauce Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup yellow mustard
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
- ¼ cup honey
- 2 tablespoons light brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
- Add all of the ingredients to a small pot set over medium heat and stir to combine. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to medium-low. Cook for around 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sugar is melted
- Remove from heat and let the sauce cool, then transfer to a jar or air tight container and refrigerate for up to 1 month.
Notes
Nutrition
* All nutrition information we provide are estimates based on third party calculators. We encourage you to calculate these on your own for accurate results.
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