Carolina gold barbecue sauce is a staple condiment in the American South, with a sweet, tangy, and peppery flavor. This regional sauce pairs perfectly with pulled pork, ribs, chicken, and more. Making your own Carolina gold at home allows you to customize the flavor profile and ingredients. With just a few simple steps, you can have authentic, homemade Carolina gold barbecue sauce ready to slather on all your grilled and smoked meats.
Ingredients Needed
The basic ingredients for Carolina gold barbecue sauce include:
- Ketchup – This provides a tomato base as well as sweetness, tang, and body. Go for a high-quality ketchup without extra flavorings.
- Apple cider vinegar – The vinegar adds acidity to balance the sweetness. Go for a good-quality, aromatic cider vinegar.
- Brown sugar – Dark brown sugar is used to give the sauce plenty of molasses-like sweetness and richness.
- Worchestershire sauce – Adds savory umami flavor.
- Yellow mustard – Boosts the tangy flavor. Use a spicy brown or yellow mustard.
- Chile powder – Provides a touch of heat. Ancho or cayenne chili powder works great.
- Black pepper – Extra pepper enhances the spicy notes.
- Salt – A small amount of salt balances all the flavors.
- Butter – A knob of butter gives a silky texture.
- Hot sauce – A splash of hot sauce amps up the spiciness (optional).
Having all these ingredients on hand ensures you can whip up a batch of Carolina gold anytime the craving hits. You can adjust any ingredient to personalize the flavor balance.
Necessary Equipment
Making the barbecue sauce at home is simple with just a few key pieces of equipment:
- Large heavy pot – Use a heavy-bottomed saucepan or Dutch oven to cook the sauce without scorching.
- Wooden spoon – A sturdy wooden spoon makes it easy to stir the sauce frequently.
- Funnel – A funnel helps transfer the finished sauce into jars or bottles.
- Glass jars – Sterilized glass jars are perfect for storing the barbecue sauce. Mason jars work great.
- Labels – Customize labels so you remember when each batch was made.
Having the right gear makes the process smooth and efficient. It also allows you to easily double or triple the recipe as needed.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow these simple steps for incredible homemade Carolina gold barbecue sauce:
Prep the Ingredients
- Measure out all the ingredients into prep bowls before starting. This helps the cooking go quicker.
- Mince the garlic, grate the onions, juice the lemons, and prep any other ingredients.
Cook the Aromatic Vegetables
- Heat 1-2 Tbsp butter in the pot over medium heat.
- Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Stir in the grated onion. Cook for 2-3 minutes until translucent.
Whisk in the Liquid Ingredients
- Pour in the ketchup, vinegar, Worchestershire, and mustard.
- Add the lemon juice, hot sauce, soy sauce, or any other liquid flavorings.
- Whisk vigorously to fully incorporate all the liquids.
Add the Sugar and Spices
- Pour in the brown sugar and whisk until dissolved.
- Add the ancho chili powder, cayenne, black pepper, and salt.
- Stir in any other spices like smoked paprika, allspice, or cumin.
Simmer the Sauce
- Once combined, reduce heat and let the sauce simmer.
- Let it gently bubble for 15-20 minutes to meld the flavors.
- Stir and scrape the bottom frequently to prevent scorching.
Finish and Bottle the Sauce
- Remove from heat and stir in the cold butter chunks until melted. This adds richness.
- Funnel the sauce into sterilized jars or bottles using a funnel.
- Let cool completely before capping and storing. Refrigerate for up to 1 month.
With these simple steps, you’ll have sweet, tangy, and irresistible Carolina gold barbecue sauce ready for grilling season. Adjust any amounts or ingredients to customize the flavor to your liking.
Recipe Variations
The basic Carolina gold recipe can be tweaked in endless ways:
- More hot – For extra heat, use more cayenne, hot sauce, or a spicy chili blend.
- Smoky – Add a touch of smoked paprika, chipotle powder, or even liquid smoke flavoring.
- Fruity – Stir in pineapple juice, mango puree, or your favorite chopped fruit.
- Savory – Extra Worcestershire, soy sauce, or balsamic give a nice umami kick.
- Herby – Fresh herbs like thyme, rosemary, oregano add extra depth.
- Sweet and sour – Play with more or less sugar and vinegar to find your ideal balance.
- Chunky – Leave the sauce a bit chunky by skipping the blending step.
Don’t be afraid to experiment with ingredients until you create your signature sauce. Add any spices, herbs, fruits, or acidic components that seem appetizing.
Pairing Ideas
A good barbecue sauce should complement whatever you’re grilling or smoking. Here are some classic pairings for Carolina gold:
- Pulled pork – The number one choice! Carolina gold is made for pulled pork sandwiches.
- Chicken – Excellent on bone-in chicken or wings cooked over indirect heat.
- Ribs – Slather on pork baby back or St. Louis style ribs during the last few minutes on the grill.
- Brisket – Dip sliced brisket or add sauce during the final hour of smoking.
- Burgers – Take cheeseburgers to the next level with this regional sauce.
- Veggies – Baste squash, eggplant, onions, and other veggies while grilling.
- Kabobs – Brush on kabobs with chicken, steak, shrimp, pineapple, etc.
Use Carolina gold barbecue sauce as a condiment for dipping, a marinade, a basting sauce, or a finishing sauce. It provides sticky sweetness and heat to just about anything you can grill up.
Recipe Tips and Tricks
Here are some helpful tips for creating the best Carolina gold at home:
- Use high-quality ketchup for the base – this makes a difference in flavor.
- Add ingredients gradually and taste as you go until the flavor profile is perfect.
- The sauce thickens up substantially while simmering – add water or vinegar if too thick.
- Stir the sauce frequently so the sugars don’t burn on the bottom of the pan.
- The sauce keeps for a month or more refrigerated – freeze extra batches.
- Shake the jars every couple of days while stored – this helps distribute the flavors.
- When reheating, add water, vinegar, or mustard if the sauce is now too thick.
- Customize the recipe with your favorite fruits, spices, herbs, hot sauces, etc.
- Use apple juice, pineapple juice, or other juices instead of some of the vinegar.
Mastering the ideal sweet and tangy Carolina gold barbecue sauce just takes some practice. Adjust to your preferences and soon it will become your go-to recipe.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions about making Carolina gold barbecue sauce at home:
What’s the difference between Western and Carolina barbecue sauces?
Western sauces like Kansas City and Texas styles tend to be tomato, molasses, and vinegar based with warm spices like chili powder, cumin, and oregano. Carolina sauces are more mustard, vinegar, and brown sugar based with black and cayenne pepper.
Should I use yellow or brown mustard?
Either type works well, but brown mustard offers a deeper, more complex flavor. Spicy brown mustard is the traditional choice.
Can I use granulated sugar instead of brown sugar?
Brown sugar is highly recommended for its rich caramelized sweetness and moisture, but you can use some granulated sugar if needed.
What meat is best with Carolina gold barbecue sauce?
Pulled pork is the classic choice, but it also shines on beef brisket, chicken, ribs, sausage, and more.
How long does homemade barbecue sauce last?
Properly stored in the fridge, the barbecue sauce keeps for 4-6 weeks. For longer shelf life, freeze extra sauce in batches.
Is it better to add the sauce at the beginning or end of cooking?
As a finishing sauce, add it just during the last 5-10 minutes of grilling or smoking so it doesn’t burn.
Can I use apple cider vinegar or white vinegar?
Apple cider vinegar gives the best flavor, but you can use others like white distilled vinegar in a pinch.
How do I know if my sauce needs more time to cook?
If the sauce tastes very thin and all the ingredients haven’t fully blended, cook it for longer over low heat to meld the flavors.
Why does my sauce taste too vinegary?
The vinegar can get strong if overcooked. Next time, remove from heat sooner or add a bit more sugar, ketchup, juice, or water.
Conclusion
Homemade Carolina gold barbecue sauce is easy to put together with basic pantry ingredients. Adjust the amounts until you achieve the ideal sweet, tangy, and gently spicy flavor profile. Use this sauce to give smoked or grilled meats an authentic Southern barbecue restaurant experience. Experiment with fun additions like fruit purees, extra spices, or more heat. Soon this sauce will be your secret recipe go-to for backyard cookouts.