Vinegar based barbecue sauces are a delicious way to add tangy, zesty flavor to grilled meats, vegetables, and more. Whether you prefer the simplicity of a two-ingredient sauce or something more complex, vinegar based bbq sauces are easy to make at home. This comprehensive guide will teach you everything you need to know to create your own signature vinegar based barbecue sauce from scratch.

Introduction to Vinegar Based BBQ Sauces

Vinegar based barbecue sauces get their distinctive tangy and tart flavor primarily from vinegar. The vinegar provides acidity that helps cut through rich and fatty meats like pork or beef. Vinegar sauces tend to be thinner in consistency compared to tomato based or molasses sauces.

The most common types of vinegar used in barbecue sauce recipes include:

Apple cider vinegar – provides a fruity undertone and mellow acidity
White distilled vinegar – clear and pungent with a sharper bite
Red wine vinegar – imparts a robust wine flavor
Rice vinegar – milder acidity with a touch of sweetness

In addition to vinegar, vinegar based sauces often contain ingredients like:

Sweeteners – brown sugar, white sugar, honey, maple syrup
Aromatics – onions, garlic, ginger
Spices and seasonings – black pepper, cayenne, mustard
Herbs – thyme, rosemary, oregano

The proportions of vinegar, sweetener, and other flavorings can be adjusted to create sauces ranging from mildly tangy to mouth-puckeringly sour. Vinegar based sauces pair especially well with pork like ribs, chops, or pulled pork. They also work great as a marinade or finishing sauce for chicken.

Below we’ll go over the step-by-step process for making your own vinegar based barbecue sauce at home, along with tips, substitutions, and recipe customization ideas.

Simple 2 Ingredient Vinegar BBQ Sauce

The most basic vinegar based barbecue sauce contains just two ingredients – vinegar and salt. If you’re looking for a super quick and easy sauce, give this simple recipe a try:

Ingredients:

1 cup apple cider vinegar
1 teaspoon kosher salt

Instructions:

In a small bowl, stir together the apple cider vinegar and kosher salt until the salt dissolves.
Use the sauce as a marinade, basting liquid, or dipping sauce for grilled or smoked meats.
Store leftover sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 1-2 weeks.

This 2 ingredient vinegar sauce provides plenty of tangy flavor on its own. For a slightly more complex sauce, consider adding a touch of sweetness with brown sugar, honey, or maple syrup. Herbs like thyme, rosemary, or oregano also complement the hearty vinegar flavor.

Basic Vinegar Based BBQ Sauce Recipe

Once you’ve tried the simple 2 ingredient sauce, you can begin customizing your own signature vinegar based barbecue sauce with more flavor components. This basic recipe adds sweetener, spices, and aromatics:

Ingredients:

1 cup apple cider vinegar
1/4 cup brown sugar
2 tablespoons ketchup or tomato paste
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
1/2 medium onion, finely minced
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce

Instructions:

In a small saucepan, combine the vinegar, brown sugar, ketchup, salt, black pepper, red pepper flakes, onion, garlic, and Worcestershire sauce.
Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat. Let simmer for 5-10 minutes to meld the flavors.
Remove pan from heat and let sauce cool to room temperature.
Transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate until ready to use. The sauce will keep for 1-2 weeks.
Brush or spoon the sauce over chicken, pork ribs, or chops during the last 5-10 minutes of grilling time.

The ketchup or tomato paste lends extra tanginess, sweetness, and body to the sauce. Feel free to adjust the brown sugar and salt to suit your taste preferences. For spicier sauce, increase the amount of red pepper flakes. Herbs like thyme, rosemary or chili powder can also be added to amp up the flavor.

Customizing Your Vinegar Based BBQ Sauce

Once you master the basic vinegar barbecue sauce recipe, the possibilities for customization are endless. Here are some ingredient substitution and addition ideas to play with:

Vinegar:

Apple cider
White distilled
Red wine
Rice vinegar
Balsamic (use sparingly)

Sweeteners:

Brown sugar
Molasses
Honey
Maple syrup
Agave nectar

Flavorings:

Soy sauce
Worcestershire sauce
Hot sauce
Lemon or lime juice
Mustard

Aromatics:

Onion
Garlic
Ginger
Shallots

Herbs and spices:

Oregano
Thyme
Rosemary
Chili powder
Cayenne pepper
Black pepper
Paprika
Celery seed

Feel free to mix and match different vinegars, sweeteners, and seasonings to create your own signature sauce. Taste test as you go until you achieve the desired tangy, sweet, spicy, and salty flavor balance.

Fruity Vinegar Based BBQ Sauces

Fruit adds a tasty twist to vinegar based barbecue sauces. Try blending in pineapple juice, mango puree, peach preserves or berry jam. The fruit provides natural sweetness to balance the acidity.

For example:

Pineapple juice and red pepper flakes
Mango puree with ginger and lime juice
Raspberry jam with balsamic and soy sauce

Mustard Based Vinegar BBQ Sauce

Mustard and vinegar are the perfect flavor combo, as the mustard contributes even more tang and zest. Simply add 1/4 to 1/2 cup of yellow mustard to the basic vinegar sauce recipe. Dijon, whole grain, or stoneground mustard all work well. Kick it up further with more black pepper, garlic, and hot sauce.

Asian Inspired Vinegar Sauce

For an Asian flair, use ingredients like rice vinegar, ginger, sesame oil, soy sauce, garlic, chili garlic sauce or Sriracha. A touch of hoisin sauce also adds addictive sweetness.

How to Use Vinegar Based BBQ Sauces

Vinegar based barbecue sauces add incredible flavor when used to:

Marinate meats – the vinegar tenderizes and penetrates deep into the meat. Marinate for 1-24 hours.
Baste during grilling – frequently brushing meat with the sauce infuses flavor and prevents drying out.
Finish or glaze – brushing sauce on in the last 5-10 minutes of cooking leaves a sticky, caramelized exterior.
Dip – serve sauce on the side for dunking cooked meats, french fries, veggies, and more.
Pour over pulled pork or chicken – tossed or shredded smoked meat soaks up the tangy sauce beautifully.
Use as a sandwich or wrap sauce – vinegar sauces make great condiments for sandwiches, burgers, and wraps.
Make salad dressings – thin with oil and drizzle over fresh greens, grains, beans, and proteins.
Simmer as a sauce for meatballs – allow sauce to reduce down into a glaze for oven baked meatballs.

Apply the sauce sparingly at first if using as a marinade or baste – the acidity can overpower the meat with too much.

Recipe: Award Winning Vinegar Based Pulled Pork

To highlight just how amazing vinegar based sauces pair with smoked pork, here’s an award winning competition recipe for vinegar bbq pulled pork:

Ingredients:

1 (5-7 lb) pork shoulder/butt roast
1 cup apple cider vinegar
2 tablespoons brown sugar
2 teaspoons kosher salt
2 teaspoons black pepper
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 medium onion, thinly sliced

Instructions:

In a medium bowl, stir together vinegar, brown sugar, salt, black pepper and cayenne until sugar and salt dissolve. Set aside.
Prepare the pork shoulder by trimming excess fat and rubbing seasoning all over. Place onion slices into bottom of a slow cooker or smoker. Add 1 cup of water.
Place seasoned pork directly on top of onions. Reserve 1/2 cup of the vinegar sauce to drizzle over meat later. Pour remaining sauce over pork.
Cook for 8-10 hours on low in a slow cooker, or smoke at 225-250°F to internal temp of 205°F.
Remove pork and let rest 15 minutes. Shred meat with two forks, removing any large fat pieces.
Toss shredded pork with reserved 1/2 cup vinegar sauce.
Pile high on buns and enjoy! Leftovers keep refrigerated up to 5 days.

The vinegar penetrates the pork during the long, slow cooking time, keeping it incredibly moist and infusing tangy flavor throughout. Feel free to double the sauce recipe to have extra for serving.

Common Questions about Vinegar Based BBQ Sauces

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about making and using vinegar based barbecue sauces:

How long does vinegar based bbq sauce last in the fridge?

Properly stored in an airtight container, vinegar based barbecue sauce will keep for 1-2 weeks refrigerated. The high acidity helps prevent bacteria growth. Sauce may last a bit longer, but best practice is to use within 14 days.

Can you freeze vinegar based barbecue sauce?

Yes, freezing is a great way to preserve leftover vinegar based barbecue sauce. Simply transfer to freezer bags or containers, removing as much air as possible. Sauces with high sugar or fat content last 3-4 months frozen. Vinegar sauces will keep at least 2 months frozen before quality starts to decline.

What’s the difference between North Carolina and South Carolina bbq sauce?

The main differences between traditional North Carolina and South Carolina barbecue sauces are:

North Carolina – Vinegar based with apple cider or white vinegar, pepper, salt, some ketchup or tomato paste for sweetness and color. Thin consistency.
South Carolina – Mustard based sauce made with yellow mustard, vinegar, brown sugar, and spices. Slightly thicker texture.

What vinegar is best for homemade bbq sauce?

Apple cider, white distilled, red wine and malt vinegars are all great choices for barbecue sauces. Stay away from balsamic, rice wine, and champagne vinegars as their flavor profiles do not work as well. Always opt for good quality vinegars without added flavorings or colors.

Can I substitute apple cider vinegar for white vinegar?

Absolutely! Apple cider vinegar and white distilled vinegar are interchangeable in homemade barbecue sauce recipes. Cider vinegar contributes a bit more flavor complexity but either work wonderfully.

Tips for Making the Best Vinegar Based BBQ Sauces

Here are some helpful tips and tricks to achieve maximum flavor with your homemade vinegar based barbecue sauces:

Mix up a double batch – having extra sauce on hand is never a bad thing! Sauces keep for weeks refrigerated.
Simmer sauce for 10-15 minutes to concentrate flavors and thicken slightly.
When using sauce as a marinade, reserve some to brush on towards the end of cooking.
Try different vinegar and sweetener combinations to find your perfect balance of tangy, sweet and savory.
Add freshly minced herbs right before serving for vibrant flavor.
Play around with spices like chili powder, paprika, cumin, and cayenne to amp up the complexity.
Grill a piece of meat and test a few sauce versions to determine your favorite.
Refrigerate sauce for 1-2 hours before using to allow flavors to mingle.
Mix in a bit of reserved meat drippings for even more layered flavor.
Thin leftover sauce with water, vinegar or oil to use as a salad dressing or sauce.
Toss pulled pork, beef, or chicken in sauce immediately before serving for maximum moistness.

Conclusion

Homemade vinegar based barbecue sauces are easy to prepare and offer incredible depth of tangy flavor. With just a few pantry staple ingredients and minimal hands-on time, you can create your own signature sauce that’s even better than store bought. Customize the flavor profile by experimenting with different vinegars, sweeteners, spices, herbs, and more until you dial in the perfect balance. Brush or slather your sauce on everything from smoked pork to grilled chicken breasts. Make a double batch so you have plenty on hand for all your summertime barbecue needs.

FAQs about How to Make Vinegar Based BBQ Sauce

What kind of vinegar is used for bbq sauce?

The most commonly used vinegars in barbecue sauces are apple cider, white distilled, malt, red wine, and balsamic vinegars. Apple cider and distilled white vinegars are likely the most versatile choices for bbq sauces.

What is the ratio of vinegar to sugar in bbq sauce?

A good rule of thumb ratio for vinegar to sugar in a balanced bbq sauce is 1:1. Start with equal parts vinegar and sugar, such as 1 cup vinegar to 1 cup sugar. Adjust to taste, adding more sugar for sweeter sauce or more vinegar for extra tang.

How much vinegar per cup of bbq sauce?

The amount of vinegar per cup of barbecue sauce can range from 1/4 cup to 3/4 cup, depending on how tangy you want the sauce. A good starting point is between 1/3 to 1/2 cup of vinegar per cup of sauce.

Should you simmer bbq sauce?

It is recommended to simmer bbq sauce for 10-15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and concentrate. The sauce will thicken slightly from evaporation. Be sure to stir occasionally to prevent burning on the bottom of the pan.

How do you thicken vinegar bbq sauce?

Methods for thickening a vinegar based barbecue sauce include:

Simmering to reduce water content
Mixing in a starch like cornstarch, arrowroot, or potato starch
Adding tomato paste or ketchup for extra body
Blending in fruit purees
Reducing the amount of vinegar

What herbs go well with vinegar bbq sauce?

Great fresh herb choices for vinegar-based bbq sauces include thyme, rosemary, oregano, parsley, chives, sage, and marjoram. Basil and cilantro can also work nicely. Add minced herbs right at the end for best flavor.

Is ketchup necessary for bbq sauce?

Ketchup is not a required ingredient for bbq sauce, but it can be used to add flavor, sweetness, color and thickness. For vinegar-based sauces, ketchup is often replaced with items like tomato paste, fruit preserves or brown sugar.

Can you use balsamic vinegar in bbq sauce?

It’s best to use balsamic vinegar sparingly in barbecue sauces, as the flavor can overpower. Start with 1-2 tablespoons balsamic per cup of sauce and add more to taste if desired. Darker aged balsamic varieties work better than lighter vinegars.

What meat goes best with vinegar based bbq sauce?

Vinegar based bbq sauces pair especially well with pork, like ribs, pulled pork, chops, or chicken. The acid helps cut through the fat while adding delicious tangy flavor. Brisket, ribs, and smoked sausage also make great partners.

Conclusion

Vinegar based barbecue sauces are a quick and easy way to add a tangy punch of flavor to grilled and smoked meats. With a few simple ingredients like vinegar, sweetener, spices, and tomato product, you can whip up a homemade sauce in minutes. Customize your creation with various vinegar types, herbs, mustards, fruits and more – the possibilities are endless. Use vinegar bbq sauces to marinate, baste, glaze, dip, pour over pulled pork, or slather on sandwiches. Keep extras on hand in the fridge to elevate all your barbecue cooking any time cravings strike. Your tastebuds will thank you for the zesty, lip-smacking homemade vinegar sauce.