Zip Up Your Taste Buds: Tangy North Carolina BBQ Sauce Recipe

Barbecue enthusiasts swear by this tangy North Carolina bbq sauce that adds a zesty punch to grilled meats.

Regional flavors burst through with every vibrant spoonful of this classic condiment.

Layers of vinegar and spice create a mouthwatering profile that sets this sauce apart from other regional variations.

Bold and bright, the sauce brings a distinctive Southern charm to your culinary creations.

Home cooks and grill masters alike appreciate its simple yet robust ingredients.

Each splash delivers a nostalgic taste of Carolina cookout traditions.

Fire up the grill and let this sauce transform your next backyard feast into a flavor celebration.

What’s in North Carolina BBQ Sauce

• Apple Cider Vinegar: Tangy backbone that gives classic Carolina-style punch with bright, zesty undertones perfect for cutting through rich meats.
• White Vinegar: Sharp acid that balances flavors and adds clean, crisp tartness to the sauce's overall profile.

• Brown Sugar: Brings deep caramel notes and subtle molasses complexity that softens the vinegar's sharp edge.
• Ketchup: Optional ingredient that adds tomato richness, subtle sweetness, and helps thicken the sauce's consistency.

• Hot Sauce: Delivers immediate warmth and Louisiana-style kick that elevates the sauce's flavor complexity.
• Red Pepper Flakes: Introduces scattered bursts of heat with rustic, smoky undertones that build slow-burning spiciness.
• Black Pepper: Provides earthy, sharp warmth with subtle background heat and aromatic depth.

• Salt: Essential flavor enhancer that brings out the sauce's nuanced taste and balances acidic components.
• Garlic Powder: Adds savory, aromatic background notes with mild pungent undertones that complement the vinegar base.

What You’ll Need to Mix Up North Carolina BBQ Sauce

• Large Saucepan: Perfect for mixing and heating all sauce ingredients evenly.
• Measuring Cups: Essential for precise vinegar and sugar quantities.
• Measuring Spoons: Helps accurately add seasonings like red pepper flakes and garlic powder.
• Whisk: Great for blending ingredients smoothly and preventing sugar from clumping.
• Wooden Spoon: Useful for stirring sauce during cooking.
• Heat-Resistant Spatula: Helps scrape down sides of pan and mix ingredients.

Instructions for Crafting North Carolina BBQ Sauce at Home

• Blend Flavor Powerhouses

Grab a medium saucepan and pour in the dynamic duo of apple cider and white vinegars, creating a tangy base that’ll make your taste buds dance.

• Sweeten the Situation

Sprinkle in brown sugar, letting it melt and transform the liquid into a balanced symphony of sweet and sharp notes.

• Spice Up Your Life

Dash in hot sauce, red pepper flakes, and a whisper of black pepper to give this sauce its signature North Carolina kick that’ll wake up your barbecue.

• Season and Enhance

Shake in garlic powder and salt, allowing each ingredient to harmonize and create a sauce that screams southern comfort.

• Simmer to Perfection

Let the mixture bubble gently over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the flavors marry and the sauce reaches a smooth, consistent texture.

• Cool and Store

Remove from heat and let the sauce cool completely. Transfer to a jar or bottle, ready to drench your favorite grilled meats with authentic North Carolina flair.

Tweaks and Tricks for North Carolina BBQ Sauce Flavor

• Vinegar Intensity Control: Adjust the apple cider and white vinegar ratio to match your preferred tanginess level, from mild to sharp.
• Spice Level Flexibility: Increase or decrease hot sauce and red pepper flakes to create a mild or fiery sauce that suits your heat tolerance.
• Make-Ahead Magic: This sauce can be prepared up to a week in advance and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, allowing flavors to meld and intensify.
• Dietary Adaptations: For a low-sugar version, replace brown sugar with a sugar-free alternative like stevia or monk fruit sweetener, keeping the classic North Carolina flavor profile intact.
• Preservation Technique: Pour cooled sauce into sterilized glass jars for longer storage, ensuring a consistent supply of homemade BBQ sauce ready for your next grilling adventure.

Serving North Carolina BBQ Sauce at Its Best

• Tangy Pulled Pork Paradise: Drench slow-cooked pulled pork with this zesty North Carolina BBQ sauce for a mouthwatering sandwich experience that captures Southern comfort.
• Grilled Chicken Delight: Brush the sauce over grilled chicken breasts or thighs during the last few minutes of cooking to create a spicy-sweet glaze that caramelizes beautifully.
• Dipping Sensation: Use the sauce as a robust condiment for crispy chicken tenders, french fries, or as a bold dipping sauce for appetizers like onion rings and potato wedges.
• Marinade Magic: Let chicken or pork sit in the sauce for 2-4 hours before grilling to infuse deep, tangy flavors that tenderize and enhance the meat's natural taste.

Storing North Carolina BBQ Sauce Without Losing Flavor

• Quick Refrigeration: Store the BBQ sauce in an airtight glass container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks, maintaining its fresh tangy flavor and zesty kick.
• Batch Preparation: Whip up a double or triple recipe to have extra sauce on hand for multiple meals, saving time and ensuring you're always ready for spontaneous grilling sessions.
• Flavor Boosting: Allow the sauce to sit in the refrigerator for 24 hours before using, which helps the ingredients meld together and intensifies the overall taste profile.
• Freezing Option: Pour cooled sauce into freezer-safe containers or ice cube trays, keeping portions small for easy thawing and preventing unnecessary waste of your delicious North Carolina-style condiment.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time:

Total Time: 5 minutes

Calories: 43 kcal

Servings: 8

Tangy North Carolina Bbq Sauce Recipe

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4.6 from 38 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 9 1x

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Description

Carolina-style barbecue sauce brings tangy, vinegar-based magic to grilled meats with rich regional flavor. Peppery and complex, this condiment delivers authentic southern zest that elevates pulled pork and grilled specialties.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 tbsp (15 ml) hot sauce
• 1 tbsp (15 ml) ketchup
• 1 cup (237 ml) apple cider vinegar
• 1 cup (237 ml) white vinegar
• ⅓ cup (66 g) brown sugar
• 1 tsp red pepper flakes
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ tsp garlic powder

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Combine all ingredients (vinegars, brown sugar, ketchup, hot sauce, red pepper flakes, black pepper, salt, and garlic powder) in a medium saucepan, whisking thoroughly until brown sugar dissolves completely and creates a smooth liquid base.
2. Heating: Place saucepan over medium heat, stirring consistently to prevent ingredient settlement and potential burning, bringing the mixture to a gentle, even simmer that allows flavors to meld and intensify.
3. Simmering: Reduce heat and maintain a low, steady temperature for 10-12 minutes, stirring periodically to ensure uniform heat distribution and prevent scorching, which helps develop a rich, harmonious flavor profile.
4. Cooling and Storage: Remove saucepan from heat, allowing sauce to cool to room temperature, which further enhances its taste characteristics, then transfer to a clean glass jar or bottle with a tight seal.
5. Preservation: Refrigerate the sauce, which will maintain its vibrant flavor and tangy essence for up to two weeks, making it an ideal accompaniment for grilled meats, pulled pork, or as a zesty dipping condiment.

Notes

• Balance Vinegar Intensity: Adjust the vinegar ratio to suit personal taste preferences, preventing overwhelming acidity while maintaining the signature tangy North Carolina BBQ sauce profile.
• Prevent Burning Technique: Stir consistently during simmering and maintain medium-low heat to avoid scorching, ensuring smooth texture and preventing bitter flavor development.
• Storage Optimization: Use airtight glass containers for maximum flavor preservation, keeping sauce refrigerated and consuming within two weeks for optimal taste and quality.
• Customization Flexibility: Experiment with hot sauce and red pepper flakes quantities to create mild or spicy variations, tailoring the sauce to individual heat tolerance and culinary preferences.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Condiments
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 9
• Calories: 38
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 252 mg
• Fat: 0 g
• Saturated Fat: 0 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 9 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 0 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg