Golden barbecue sauce is a sweet and tangy sauce that gets its distinctive golden color and flavor from mustard and brown sugar. It’s a popular regional style of barbecue sauce, especially in parts of the American South.
What Makes Golden BBQ Sauce Unique?
There are a few key ingredients and characteristics that set golden barbecue sauce apart:
Mustard
The addition of yellow mustard gives golden barbecue sauce its bright golden hue and adds a tangy, zesty flavor. The mustard also helps cut through the sweetness.
Brown Sugar
Brown sugar provides a deep sweetness and caramelized flavor. The brown sugar balances out the acidity from the vinegar and mustard.
Molasses
Molasses adds complexity, enhancing the sweet and tangy flavors. The molasses gives golden barbecue sauce its signature dark golden color.
Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar adds pleasant fruitiness and acidity to balance the sweet ingredients. The vinegar helps provide a tangy zip.
Spices
Common spices like black pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, and chili powder add layers of flavor.
What is Golden BBQ Sauce Best Known For?
Golden barbecue sauce has a few classic uses and associations:
- Pulled pork: The sweet and tangy sauce pairs deliciously with smoked pulled pork sandwiches. The sauce complements and balances the rich pork.
- Chicken: Golden barbecue chicken is a tasty and popular dish. The sauce caramelizes beautifully on grilled or baked chicken.
- Ribs: Pork ribs and beef ribs both pair well with the sweet-tangy flavor of golden barbecue sauce. It’s a classic accompaniment for ribs.
- Sandwiches: In addition to pulled pork, golden barbecue sauce can be used on burgers, hot dogs, sausage, and more. It’s great for dipping or drizzling.
- Southern cuisine: Golden barbecue sauce has strong ties to southern U.S. cooking traditions. It’s used in many southern barbecue recipes.
- Outdoor cooking: The sauce is a staple condiment at cookouts, picnics, tailgates, and other outdoor events involving grilling.
What are the Origins of Golden BBQ Sauce?
While barbecue sauce has roots tracing back centuries, golden style barbecue sauce likely originated in the 20th century American South.
Early renditions were often simply a mixture of mustard and vinegar. Over time, cooks added more ingredients like brown sugar and spices to create a sweet and tangy sauce.
The golden color came from the addition of yellow mustard combined with brown sugar or molasses. Tomato-based sauces were also becoming popular, distinguishing the golden mustard-based sauces.
Popular legend credits South Carolina as the birthplace of golden barbecue sauce. The style spread across the South and eventually nationwide, though it remains strongly identified with southern barbecue.
How Can You Make Your Own Golden BBQ Sauce?
Making homemade golden barbecue sauce is easy. Here is a basic recipe:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup yellow mustard
- 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup molasses
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
Instructions:
- In a medium saucepan, whisk together all of the ingredients until thoroughly combined.
- Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring frequently.
- Once boiling, reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 10-15 minutes, until thickened to your desired consistency.
- Remove from heat and allow to cool. The sauce can be used immediately or stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
Feel free to tweak ingredients to your tastes – add more spices, use honey instead of brown sugar, etc. The ratios of vinegar, sweetener, and mustard are key to getting that ideal golden barbecue sauce flavor.
What Goes Well with Golden BBQ Sauce?
Beyond the classic pairings mentioned earlier, golden barbecue sauce complements and enhances all kinds of recipes:
- Baked beans
- Coleslaw
- Mac and cheese
- Fried chicken
- Brisket
- Meatloaf
- Veggie kebabs or skewers
- Grilled fruit like pineapple
- Potato salad
- Collard greens
- Deviled eggs
The sweet and tangy sauce adds flavorful contrast to rich, savory, or spicy dishes. It also pairs wonderfully with fresh, bright produce. Don’t be afraid to experiment with creative uses for golden barbecue sauce!
Frequently Asked Questions About Golden BBQ Sauce
Is golden barbecue sauce spicy?
Not inherently, though you can add chili powder, cayenne, or other spices to give it some heat. By nature golden barbecue sauce is more sweet and tangy than spicy.
How is it different from regular barbecue sauce?
The mustard and use of brown sugar or molasses distinguish it from classic tomato-based barbecue sauces. It also tends to be thinner in consistency.
What meat is best with golden barbecue sauce?
It classically pairs with pork shoulder/butt for pulled pork, but also goes well with chicken, ribs, brisket, sausage, and more.
Can you use golden barbecue sauce on grilled veggies?
Absolutely! The sweet and tangy flavor is delicious on grilled vegetables like zucchini, squash, eggplant, and corn on the cob.
Is golden barbecue sauce keto-friendly?
Yes, it can fit into a keto diet since it contains minimal added sugar. Opt for a recipe without honey or molasses to further reduce carbs.
Conclusion
With its bright golden color and distinctive sweet, tangy, and zesty flavor, golden barbecue sauce is a treasured part of southern barbecue tradition and a versatile condiment. Mustard, brown sugar, and spices come together to create a sauce that pairs perfectly with everything from pulled pork sandwiches to grilled chicken. While South Carolina may have popularized it, golden barbecue sauce has won over barbecue fans and grill masters across the country. Homemade versions let you craft the perfect sweet and tangy sauce to suit your tastes. With some simple ingredients and a quick stove-top simmer, you can whip up a batch to slather on all kinds of savory grilled or smoked favorites this barbecue season.