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!
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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.
How to make NC BBQ Sauce
- Add all ingredients to a medium saucepan set over medium heat and stir to combine.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to 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.
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!
Recipe Tips and FAQs
Store leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 1 month. Shake well before using to redistribute the spices that have settled.
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.
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.
📖 Recipe
North Carolina BBQ Sauce
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
* 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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