Carolina Gold BBQ Sauce

Sweet, tangy, and zesty, Carolina Gold BBQ sauce is the perfect combination of flavors that has so many uses! The signature flavor of this mustard-based sauce is an amazing addition to your favorite barbecue dishes like pulled pork, ribs, chicken wings, and beef brisket.

Similar to traditional BBQ sauce, Carolina Gold sauce combines the perfect balance of sweet, tang and heat!

It has a lovely golden color from the mustard base (similar to honey mustard) and rich brown sugar flavors that make this bbq sauce irresistible. Slather it onto a meatloaf sandwich, or take your grilling to the next level!

What is Carolina Gold BBQ Sauce?

This gold BBQ sauce first originated in South Carolina. While there are different versions, each Carolina mustard BBQ sauce features mustard as the primary ingredient.

We use a blend of three different mustards, light brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, and a touch of hot sauce. If you’d like to mellow the flavors a bit, you can mix in a small amount of tomato paste.

The Southern Roots of Carolina Gold Barbecue Sauce

The history of Carolina Gold BBQ can be traced back to German immigrants who settled in South Carolina in the 18th century.

These immigrants brought their love for mustard with them, and it didn’t take long for mustard-based sauces to become the staple of local barbecue.

Unlike the ketchup and molasses-based sauces popular in other regions, Carolina Gold shines with its mustard base, accented by the sweetness of brown sugar and the tang of apple cider vinegar.

Over the years, this golden sauce has journeyed from humble backyard grills to the menus of upscale restaurants. The rich golden color, balanced sweet-tangy flavor, and subtle heat make it a distinctive and versatile addition to the BBQ scene.

Why This BBQ Sauce Recipe Works

This easy recipe comes together in a matter of minutes! You can enjoy it right away or store it in a mason jar in your fridge for later use.

Our Carolina Gold BBQ sauce recipe is:

• Quick and easy. Make it in five minutes with a short list of simple ingredients!

• Versatile. Use this bbq sauce as a marinade, glaze, sandwich topping, dip, or as a traditional barbecue sauce.

• Packed with flavor. Take any recipe to the next level with this delicious, sweet, and tangy golden BBQ sauce!

The Ingredient List for the Barbecue Sauce

This traditional Carolina Gold barbecue sauce recipe is inspired by one of our favorite barbecue restaurants. The natural flavors of three types of mustards combine for a rich, well-balanced golden barbecue sauce.

To make Carolina Gold sauce, you will need:

• yellow mustard

• Dijon mustard

• stone ground mustard (or Deli mustard)

• apple cider vinegar

• light brown sugar

• Worcestershire sauce

• hot sauce

• black pepper

• salt

• tomato paste (optional, if you’d like to mellow the tang)

Recipe Highlights for Carolina Gold BBQ Bliss

In under ten minutes, you’ll have a rich, sweet and tangy Carolina Gold sauce, made right at home!

The process is super simple, but be sure to view the full recipe card at the bottom of the page to see all of the details.

1. Place all of the ingredients in a medium saucepan and stir well. Bring to a gentle simmer, stirring, and cook for 5-8 minutes.
2. The barbecue sauce will slightly reduce and thicken as it cooks.
3. Remove from the heat and let it cool before transferring it into an air-tight container.

Use in your favorite barbecue dishes like pork ribs, as a marinade, as a glaze, dipping sauce, or smothered on a chicken sandwich! The options are endless with this delicious mustard-based BBQ sauce!

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Tips for Sauce Success

• You can adjust the amount of hot sauce to your own taste preference. Or, swap in a pinch of ground cayenne pepper for extra heat!
  
• You can also adjust the amount of added sugar in this tangy sauce. For a sauce with natural sugar content, swap in honey for the brown sugar. White sugar also works well if you don’t have brown sugar on hand.
  
• This BBQ sauce will keep well in the fridge for up to four weeks.

How to Use Carolina Gold Sauce

This tangy sauce has so many uses and will add a punch of flavor to a variety of dishes! Enjoy the sauce however you like, but our personal favorites are these recipes:

• Tri tip sandwiches
• pulled pork sandwich
• country style pork ribs
• baked chicken legs

⭐️ Helpful Tools For This Mustard-Based BBQ

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• saucepan
• whisk
• mason jar

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