What is Carolina Gold BBQ? - Outdoor Cabinets

Carolina Gold barbecue, often referred to simply as Carolina Gold BBQ, is a regional style of barbecue native to the Carolinas region of the southern United States. It is one of the four major regional barbecue styles in the U.S., the others being Kansas City BBQ, Memphis BBQ, and Texas BBQ.

Carolina Gold barbecue is known for its use of the whole hog and its light tomato-vinegar based sauce. The pork is smoked low and slow over wood until it is very tender and develops a delicious, smoky flavor. Unlike other regional styles that focus on specific cuts like ribs or brisket, Carolina Gold highlights the use of all parts of the pig.

Below is an in-depth look at what makes Carolina Gold barbecue so iconic and delicious:

History and Origins of Carolina Gold BBQ

The origins of Carolina Gold barbecue can be traced back to the colonial era in the Carolinas region. The abundance of hogs and the influence of Native American, Caribbean, and West African cooking techniques all contributed to the development of this unique style.

Some key aspects of its history and origins include:

Whole hog tradition – Since the colonial days, cooking the whole hog or “pig pickin’” has been a long tradition in the Carolinas. This differs from other barbecue styles that tend to focus on specific cuts of meat.
Available ingredients – The Carolinas had plenty of hogs, and vinegar and peppers were readily available ingredients. This led to the development of the light, tangy vinegar-pepper sauce.
Caribbean and African influences – Cooking techniques like pit-smoking over wood coals and various spices have origins in Native American, Caribbean, and West African culinary cultures.
German immigration – In the 1700s-1800s, a wave of German immigrants settled in the Carolinas, influencing the development of Carolina barbecue with their pork-centric cuisine.

So the abundance of hogs, the available ingredients, and diverse cultural influences all came together over time to create the quintessential Carolina-style barbecue.

The Carolina Gold BBQ Process

There is a specific process involved in creating authentic Carolina Gold barbecue that sets it apart:

1. Whole Hog

The meat of choice is a whole hog, slowly smoked over a wood fire pit. This allows for various cuts like shoulders, hams, ribs, etc to all get perfectly smoked.

2. Dry Rub

A simple dry rub containing salt, pepper, and sometimes other spices is applied to the hog. This adds flavor and aids in forming the coveted “bark” or outer crust.

3. Pit Smoking

The hog is smoked for many hours over a wood-fired pit, using woods like hickory, oak, or fruitwoods. This imparts a rich, smoky flavor.

4. Light Sauce

Unlike thick, sticky Kansas City or Memphis sauces, the Carolina sauce is thin and vinegar-based with peppers and spices. It complements rather than overpowers the pork.

5. Shredding and Chopping

Once smoked, the tender meat is shredded, chopped, or pulled by hand into delicious bite-sized pieces.

6. Pile It On a Plate or Bun

Finally, the smoky pork is served piled high on a plate or heaped into soft buns to make classic Carolina barbecue sandwiches.

So it’s the whole hog, dry rub, long smoking, light sauce, and hand-shredding that really define authentic Carolina Gold barbecue.

The Carolina Gold BBQ Sauce

A vital component that sets Carolina Gold BBQ apart is its thin, tangy light sauce. There are two main regional sauce styles:

Western Carolina Style (Lexington Style)

Tomato-based
Tart vinegar
Touches of brown sugar and ketchup
Spiced with black pepper, red pepper flakes

Eastern Carolina Style (South Carolina Mustard Sauce)

Mustard-based
Cider vinegar
Spices like turmeric, Worcestershire
Tangy and zippy

Regardless of west or east, the sauces are all light and thin, unlike the thick, sticky sauces found in other barbecue regions. This allows the natural smoky pork flavor to shine through.

How Is Carolina Gold BBQ Served?

There are a few classic ways Carolina barbecue is served:

On a plate – This “meat and three” style plate piles smoked shredded pork next to southern sides like fried okra, collard greens, baked beans, coleslaw, cornbread, and hushpuppies.
On a bun – The pork is heaped on a soft bun to make a quintessential Carolina barbecue sandwich. Often topped with coleslaw.
As a dip – Smaller pieces of browned bark or crispy bits are served with the light sauce on the side for dipping.
Under hash – In South Carolina, the pork may be served over rice and topped with a spicy ground beef hash or gravy.

The focus is on highlighting the flavor of the smoked meat rather than dousing it in thick, sticky sauce. Sides and sauces complement rather than take center stage.

Key Aspects that Define Carolina Gold BBQ

There are a few vital components that truly define authentic Carolina-style barbecue:

Whole hog smoking rather than specific cuts
Dry rub seasoning
Wood smoke from oak, hickory, etc.
Long, low temperature smoking
Light tomato or mustard-based sauce
Hand-shredding or chopping
Focus on smoked meat flavor

It’s the particular combination of these elements that makes Carolina barbecue stand out as one of the “big four” American regional barbecue styles.

Popular Carolina Gold BBQ Menu Items

Beyond the classic smoked whole hog, some other popular menu items at Carolina Gold barbecue joints include:

Pulled pork sandwiches – Smoked shredded pork on buns, often with coleslaw
Smoked chicken – Whole chickens or pieces smoked on pit
Chopped pork plates – Smoked pork chopped rather than pulled
Pork ribs – Smoked low and slow
Smoked sausage links – Often made in-house
Smoked turkey breast
Beef brisket – Fatty cuts that do well with low’n’slow smoking
Classic southern sides like baked beans, collard greens, mac and cheese, cornbread, potato salad, etc.

The focus is always on the slow-smoked meat, paired with classic southern sides. Fancy additions are rare – the food highlights simplicity and flavor.

Regional Variations of Carolina Gold BBQ

While Carolina barbecue has an overall singular identity, there are some regional differences between Eastern and Western Carolinas:

Eastern Carolina

Whole hog focus
Mustard-based “Carolina Gold” sauce
Served with rice dishes and hash over top
Oftentimes uses the entire pig head in dishes like smoked hog’s head cheese

Western Carolina

Focus on shoulder cuts
Tomato-vinegar Lexington style sauce
Served classically with sides like coleslaw
Not as much use of the hog head or offal

There are also variations between different cities and joints, but the above frameworks represent the overall differences between Eastern vs. Western Carolinas barbecue.

Famous Carolina Gold BBQ Joints to Try

To experience authentic Carolina Gold barbecue, be sure to visit any of these legendary joints:

South Carolina

Bessinger’s Barbecue (Charleston)
Scott’s Bar-B-Que (Hemingway)
Rodney Scott’s BBQ (Charleston)
Sweatman’s Bar-B-Que (Holly Hill)
McCabe’s Bar-B-Que (Manning)

North Carolina

Lexington Barbecue (Lexington)
Wilber’s Barbecue (Goldsboro)
Allen & Son Barbeque (Chapel Hill)
Picnic Barbecue Pit (Charlotte)
Carolina Bar-B-Q (Statesville)

Every joint puts their own spin on Carolina-style barbecue, but they all stay true to the traditional whole hog smoking and tangy light sauce.

How to Make Classic Carolina Gold BBQ at Home

To recreate authentic Carolina barbecue at home:

Get a whole hog – Order from a butcher or use a smaller cut like pork shoulder.
Make a simple dry rub – Mix salt, black pepper, paprika, brown sugar, garlic, and chili powder.
Fire up your smoker – Use wood chunks like hickory, oak, or applewood.
Smoke for 8-12 hours – Go low and slow, ~250°F. Hog should reach 195°F internally.
Make a vinegar sauce – Mix apple cider vinegar, ketchup, spices, and brown sugar.
Shred the pork – Pull it apart by hand for tender shredded meat.
Serve with classic sides – Think coleslaw, baked beans, mac and cheese, cornbread.

It takes time and patience, but the result is incredibly tender, smoky barbecue pork that makes it worth the effort.

Why Carolina Gold BBQ Stands Out

There are a few key reasons why Carolina barbecue is so special:

Whole hog tradition remains strong
Smoking over wood imparts incredible flavor
Long, low cooking tenderizes meat perfectly
Dry rubs and thin sauces highlight pork, not mask it
Hand-shredding gives great texture
Focused on simplicity and flavor

The process, traditions, and high-quality ingredients come together to create barbecue that highlights the meat itself rather than lots of fancy toppings. This makes for an incredible purist-style barbecue experience.

Health Benefits and Nutrition of Carolina Gold BBQ

Like most barbecue, Carolina-style can be high in fat, sodium, and calories, however, there are some potential health benefits when consumed in moderation:

Protein – Pork is an excellent source of protein, necessary for building muscle.
Iron – Pork contains heme iron, which is more easily absorbed than plant-based iron.
Thiamin – Pork provides thiamin, a B vitamin that plays a role in metabolism and nerve function.
Zinc – Important for immune function and cell growth, pork offers zinc.
Potassium – Necessary for fluid balance, nerve signaling, and muscle function, pork delivers potassium.

When eaten in reasonable portion sizes as part of an overall balanced diet, Carolina barbecue can provide excellent nutrition. Just be mindful of sodium and saturated fat intake.

Is Carolina Gold BBQ Considered Healthy?

Overall, Carolina barbecue is not the most healthy cuisine, but it can be enjoyed moderately as part of a balanced diet. Some tips:

Stick to leaner cuts of meat like loin or tenderloin
Avoid overdoing high-sodium sauces
Eat reasonable portion sizes, about palm of your hand
Pair with healthier sides like collard greens or baked beans made from scratch
Balance out with fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins
Limit higher calorie sides like mac and cheese or cornbread
Opt for vinegar-based sauces over mayo-based ones
Use dry rubs sparingly or avoid if on a sodium-restricted diet

One can certainly indulge in delicious Carolina barbecue on occasion while remaining conscious of ingredients and portions for overall health.

Pairing Carolina Gold BBQ with Drinks

There are several excellent drink pairing options that complement smoked Carolina pork:

Beers

Amber lagers – Malty, lightly sweet lagers cut through heavy smoke.
Porters or stouts – Roasted malts echo barbecue’s charred flavors.
IPAs – Bright, hoppy IPAs offset the richness.
Gose – Tart, salty gose beers cleanse the palate.

Cocktails and Spirits

Whiskey – A smoky bourbon or rye stands up to the barbecue.
Iced tea – Sweet tea is a classic refresher with Carolina barbecue.
Mint julep – Cooling mint complements the heat of peppery ‘cue.

Other Drinks

Sweet wines – An off-dry riesling balances intensity of pork.
Sparkling wines – Bubbles cut through the richness of the meat.
Sangria – Fruity, wine-based sangria drinks pair wonderfully.
Lemonade/Arnold Palmer – Tart lemon brightens and refreshes the palate.

In general, crisp, acidic, or moderately sweet beverages work well to counterbalance Carolina barbecue’s smoke, salt, vinegar, and pepper flavors.

Fun Facts About Carolina Gold BBQ

Beyond just being delicious, Carolina barbecue culture has some fascinating facts and unique traditions:

The annual Lexington Barbecue Festival attracts over 100,000 barbecue fans annually.
Carolina barbecue pops up in some iconic movies and TV shows like Forrest Gump and The Andy Griffith Show.
The South Carolina General Assembly named mustard-based barbecue sauce as their official state barbecue sauce in 2004.
Many old-school Carolina joints still cook using all wood, no gas or electric. Whole logs are burned down to coals.
Piedmont Triad Airport in Greensboro, NC even has a carolina barbecue-themed restaurant in the terminal called Smokey Bones Bar & Grill.
The Pork Chop Grille is a 1937 Chevrolet school bus converted into a food truck, serving Carolina barbecue all around Raleigh, NC.

The culture and history surrounding Carolina barbecue runs deep in the Carolinas, more than just a cuisine – it’s a way of life!

Is Carolina Gold BBQ the Best Style of Barbecue?

This boils down to individual preference, but Carolina Gold barbecue has a strong claim as the best style of barbecue due to:

Remaining true to whole hog tradition
Not masking flavors under thick sauce
Long, slow wood smoking process
Sauce complementing meat rather than covering it up
Textural contrast of outside “bark” and inside tenderness
Focused more on authentic methods rather than trends

Of course, the other American barbecue styles have their own devoted fans. But for those who value tradition, wood-smoke, and spotlighting the flavor of perfectly cooked pork, Carolina barbecue is arguably the pinnacle.

Future and Evolution of Carolina Gold BBQ

Some ways Carolina barbecue may evolve over time while still retaining its identity:

New sauce influences – Regional fusion sauces like Korean-Carolina or Texas-Carolina
Creative sides – Trendy sides in addition to classic ones, like pork belly baked beans
Sandwich innovations – Gourmet Carolina barbecue sandwiches on pretzel buns, sourdough, etc.
New cuts and meats – Expanded menus beyond whole hog with beef brisket, smoked turkey, sausage
Barbecue desserts – Creative takes on classics like pecan pie, banana pudding, or peach cobbler
Enhanced dietary options – Items for gluten-free, vegetarian/vegan, or low-carb diets

Still, the heart of great Carolina barbecue will always be focused on traditional whole hog smoking. Savvy pitmasters will find ways to honor tradition while offering creative updates.

Why I Love Carolina Gold BBQ

For me, Carolina Gold barbecue is the ultimate because:

That smoky, savory flavor takes me back to my childhood in the Carolinas
Whole hog makes for a perfect combination of fatty, lean, crispy, and tender meat all in one bite
It’s nostalgic comfort food – a taste of home whenever I’m feeling homesick
You can really taste quality and care in artisanal joints doing it old-school
It’s a purist, OG style of barbecue – focused on flavor not trends
That peppery vinegar tang in the light sauce is so craveable
The texture of outside bark mixed with ultra-tender inside meat is amazing
Generations of tradition in every smoked hog – I love food with history

Simple yet complex. Traditional yet creative. Carolina-style hits the barbecue sweet spot for me and always will!

Conclusion

Carolina Gold barbecue is a storied regional barbecue method that remains beloved for good reason. The whole hog, wood-smoking tradition epitomizes “low and slow” cooking, allowing each cut to become ultra tender and take on a rich, smoky flavor. A tangy light sauce balances out the meat rather than dominating it. Hand-chopped or pulled pork showcases the sublime texture. An impeccable melding of history, ingredients, and technique makes Carolina barbecue a uniquely satisfying culinary experience. For devotees of traditional Southern cuisine or connoisseurs who appreciate masterful barbecue craftsmanship, Carolina-style is certainly one of the best.