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.
Ingredients
Scale
- 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
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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