• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Dishes With Dad
  • Home
  • Browse Recipes
    • Appetizers
    • Salads
    • Soups
    • Main Dishes
      • Pasta
      • Poultry
      • Meats
      • Grilling
    • Side Dishes
    • Breakfast Recipes
    • Desserts
  • Weeknight Meals
  • About Me
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • Fall
  • Grilling
  • Weeknight
  • About
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipes
  • Fall
  • Grilling
  • Weeknight
  • About
×
Home » Recipes » Sauces and Seasonings

Carolina Gold BBQ Sauce

Published: Apr 4, 2022 · Modified: Jul 20, 2023 by Scott · This post may contain affiliate links.

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

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 goes great on pulled pork and all of your favorite barbecue dishes.

A pulled pork sandwich topped with golden bbq sauce.
Jump to:
  • What is Carolina Gold Sauce?
  • What Does Carolina Gold BBQ Sauce Taste Like?
  • Ingredients
  • How to Make Carolina Gold Barbeque Sauce
  • How to Serve Gold BBQ Sauce
  • Recipe Tips and FAQs
  • More Barbecue Sauce Recipes
  • 📖 Recipe
  • You May Also Like

What is Carolina Gold Sauce?

Carolina gold sauce is a mustard-based barbecue sauce that originated in South Carolina. It's found from the low country region, around Charleston, up through the middle of the state, around Columbia.

South Carolina actually has several regional barbecue sauces. In the Upstate region, around Greenville, a base of vinegar and tomato sauce is more common. And in the Pee Dee region, in the northeastern part of the state, you'll find a vinegar-based barbecue sauce without any tomato sauce or ketchup added. This style is common to eastern North Carolina.

What Does Carolina Gold BBQ Sauce Taste Like?

The appearance of South Carolina mustard BBQ sauce is similar to honey mustard, and the flavor is savory and tangy, slightly sweet, with a mild level of spice.

It's a well-rounded barbecue sauce that goes great on classics like pulled pork and ribs. Best of all it's made with just a few pantry staples, so it's easy to mix up whenever a craving strikes!

Ingredients

Small bowls of yellow mustard, cider vinegar, honey, garlic powder, black pepper, and cayenne pepper shown set on a counter.

The base for Carolina gold barbecue sauce is a mixture of yellow mustard and apple cider vinegar, along with brown sugar and honey for sweetness. Black pepper, cayenne pepper, and garlic powder round out the mix and balance out the sweetness with a touch of heat.

If you like it a little more on the savory side, you can also add a teaspoon or two of Worcestershire sauce to the mix.

See the recipe card at the bottom of this post for a full list of ingredients and measurements.

How to Make Carolina Gold Barbeque Sauce

  1. Add all of the ingredients to a small pot set over medium heat and stir to combine. Bring to a simmer, then reduce the heat to medium-low. Cook for around 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sugar is melted.
  2. 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 before serving to help the flavors meld.
A small saucepan filled withCarolina gold BBQ sauce.

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.

Classic smoked meats like smoked pork butt and ribs are great coated with this yummy, 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 too!

Side view of a pork bbq sandwich dripping with gold barbecue sauce.

Recipe Tips and FAQs

How to store gold BBQ sauce

Store leftovers in an airtight jar and refrigerate for up to 1 month.

Is Carolina gold sauce spicy?

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.

What type of mustard is in gold bbq sauce?

Yellow mustard is the traditional choice for Carolina gold sauce.

More Barbecue Sauce Recipes

  • A basting brush being dipped into a jar of Peach BBQ sauce.
    Peach BBQ Sauce
  • A spoon held above a jar of Alabama white barbecue sauce with sauce drizzling off the spoon into the jar.
    Alabama White Sauce
  • North Carolina BBQ Sauce

If you try this recipe, don't forget to leave a RATING or COMMENT below. I would love to hear from you!!! And FOLLOW me on Pinterest, Facebook, and Instagram for all the latest recipes!

📖 Recipe

Close up of a pulled pork sandwich dripping with Carolina gold BBQ sauce.

Carolina Gold BBQ Sauce Recipe

This mustard based barbecue sauce is tangy and sweet, with a hint of heat, and goes great on all of your favorites like pulled pork, ribs, and more.
Author: Scott
4.45 from 9 votes
Print Pin Rate
Prep Time: 5 minutes mins
Cook Time: 5 minutes mins
Total Time: 10 minutes mins
Servings: 12 servings
Calories: 40kcal

Equipment

  • Liquid Measuring Cup
  • Measuring Spoons
  • Whisk
  • Small Saucepan

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

For a spicier sauce, increase the amount of cayenne pepper or add your favorite hot sauce to the mix.

Nutrition

Serving: 2TbspCalories: 40kcalCarbohydrates: 8gSodium: 230mgPotassium: 12mgSugar: 6g

* All nutrition information we provide are estimates based on third party calculators. We encourage you to calculate these on your own for accurate results.

Course: Sauce
Cuisine: American
Tried this recipe?Don't forget to leave a rating above and mention @disheswithdad or tag #disheswithdad on social media!

You May Also Like

  • A plate of chicken wings served with ranch dressing and celery.
    Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Wings
  • A tortilla chip with a scoop of chili cheese dip.
    Velveeta Chili Cheese Dip
  • Sliced brisket on a cutting board.
    Instant Pot Brisket
  • A rice bowl topped with teriyaki chicken, steamed broccoli, and sautéed peppers.
    Teriyaki Chicken Bowl
Share this post:
« Oatmeal Banana Pancakes
Grilled Broccolini »

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

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

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

About Me

Hello, I'm Scott! I'm a former professional cook and an experienced home cook. I created this space to share my favorite quick and easy, family-friendly recipes and hopefully inspire you to try some of them for yourself!

Read More →

Fall Favorites

  • Smoked Turkey Legs
  • London broil shown on a bed of rice topped with mushroom and onion gravy.
    Instant Pot London Broil
  • Skillet roasted chicken with potatoes shown in a cast iron skillet topped with a pan sauce.
    Roasted Cast Iron Chicken Breasts and Potatoes
  • Close up image of sliced turkey breast.
    Herb Roasted Split Turkey Breast
  • Side angle view of a serving of pork chops with gravy.
    Instant Pot Pork Chops with Gravy
  • Sliced meatloaf served on a large platter.
    Smoked Meatloaf

See More →

Featured Recipes

  • Side angle view of a serving of creamy chicken and rice casserole with broccoli shown set beside a casserole dish.
    Cheesy Chicken and Rice Casserole (Without Soup!)
  • Chicken enchiladas with green sauce served on a plate.
    Enchiladas with Green Sauce
  • close up of a baking dish of fresh homemade lasagna.
    Lasagna with Homemade Noodles
  • Instant pot pork roast served on a dish with potatoes and carrots.
    Instant Pot Pork Roast and Potatoes
  • Close up of a slice of brioche French toast casserole on a plate.
    Brioche French Toast Casserole
  • A large bowl of Tuscan chicken pasta with spinach and sun dried tomatoes in a creamy sauce topped with grated Parmesan cheese.
    Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta

Footer

↑ back to top

About

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Affiliate Disclosure
  • Accessibility

Follow on Social

  • Pinterest
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter

Newsletter



Copyright © 2023 Dishes With Dad