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Home » Recipes » Sauces and Seasonings

North Carolina BBQ Sauce

Published: May 31, 2022 · Modified: Mar 6, 2023 by Scott · This post may contain affiliate links.

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North Carolina BBQ Sauce is a tangy vinegar based sauce with a spicy kick from a blend of peppers. This barbecue sauce recipe is a Western NC style sauce that uses a cider vinegar base with ketchup and brown sugar to balance the flavors. It's amazing on pulled pork and all of your barbecue favorites!

A spoonful of BBQ sauce held above a bowl of the sauce.
Jump to:
  • What is North Carolina Style BBQ Sauce?
  • Ingredient Notes
  • How to make NC BBQ Sauce
  • What to serve with Carolina BBQ Sauce
  • Recipe Tips and FAQs
  • 📖 Recipe
  • You may also like

What is North Carolina Style BBQ Sauce?

Unlike the more common thick and sweet ketchup based styles of barbecue sauce, North Carolina barbecue sauce is thin and tangy.

There are two styles of sauce in North Carolina, with the capital city of Raleigh being the generally agreed dividing line. Both are vinegar based sauces.

In Eastern NC, the sauce is typically made with apple cider vinegar, crushed red pepper, cayenne pepper, black, pepper, and a little salt. Some also add hot sauce to the mix.

Western NC BBQ Sauce, also called "Lexington Dip", is similar, but adds a small amount of ketchup and sugar.

This recipe is for Western Carolina BBQ sauce, but you can leave out the ketchup and brown sugar to make a traditional Eastern Carolina style BBQ sauce.

For another Carolina BBQ sauce check out my Carolina Gold BBQ sauce. This South Carolina style sauce is a mustard based BBQ sauce that's tangy and savory. Or for something different check out my post on Alabama White Sauce.

Ingredient Notes

Carolina style barbecue sauce typically uses apple cider vinegar as the base. You can also use white vinegar or a mix of the two if you prefer.

This barbecue sauce uses a blend of peppers and hot sauce and has a medium level of heat. If you prefer a milder sauce, leave out the cayenne pepper and hot sauce.

For more spice increase the amount of cayenne pepper, hot sauce, and crushed red pepper.

Ingredients for North Carolina barbecue sace shown arranged on a counter.

How to make NC BBQ Sauce

  1. Add all ingredients to a medium saucepan set over medium heat and stir to combine.
  2. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sugar has melted.
  3. Remove from heat and allow the sauce to cool to room temperature.
  4. Transfer sauce to a storage container or jar and refrigerate for up to 1 month.
  5. Shake well before serving.
Carolina style barbecue sauce cooking in a pot.

What to serve with Carolina BBQ Sauce

Carolina vinegar barbecue sauce is traditionally served on pulled or chopped pork. It's also tasty on ribs and chicken too.

The sauce is typically used in two ways. First as a mop sauce to flavor and add moisture to the meat as it cooks. The sauce is then served at the table as well.

When using Carolina BBQ sauce, I recommend basting the meat with the sauce every 30-45 minutes for the last few hours of cooking. It will not burn like sugary tomato based BBQ sauces, so you don't have to wait until the very end to add the sauce.

For details on making perfect pulled pork at home check out my smoked pulled pork barbecue post!

Ribs shown on a cutting board coated with vinegar BBQ sauce.

Recipe Tips and FAQs

How to store barbecue sauce

Store leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 1 month. Shake well before using to redistribute the spices that have settled.

What is the difference between North Carolina and Kansas City BBQ Sauce

Kansas City style sauce is a thick and sweet, tomato based sauce. While North Carolina BBQ sauce is thin and tangy, using a vinegar base. Carolina style sauce also tends to be spicer due the the prominent use of peppery spices.

How to make spicy vinegar BBQ sauce

This sauce has a medium level of heat as written. If you want more heat you can increase the amount of cayenne pepper, crushed red pepper, and hot 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

A spoonful of Western North Carolina Vinegar BBQ Sauce shown held above a small bowl of sauce.

North Carolina BBQ Sauce

This North Carolina BBQ Sauce is a tangy vinegar based sauce with a spicy kick. It's amazing on pulled pork and other barbecue favorites!
Author: Scott
5 from 2 votes
Print Pin Rate
Prep Time: 5 mins
Cook Time: 5 mins
Total Time: 10 mins
Servings: 16
Calories: 12kcal

Ingredients

  • 2 cups apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons ketchup
  • 2 tablespoons dark brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon hot sauce
  • 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 1 teaspoon of ground pepper
  • 1 teaspoon Kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper

Instructions

  • Add all ingredients to a medium saucepan set over medium-high heat and stir to combine.
  • Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to maintain a simmer. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sugar has melted.
  • Remove from heat and allow the sauce to cool to room temperature.
  • Transfer sauce to a storage container or jar and refrigerate for up to 1 month.
  • Shake well before serving.

Nutrition

Serving: 2TbspCalories: 12kcalCarbohydrates: 2gSodium: 96mgPotassium: 33mgSugar: 2g

* 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!

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Hello, I'm Scott! ! I'm a former professional cook and a long-time 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!

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