Carolina Gold BBQ Sauce Recipe

Made for cookouts, casual dinners, and everything in between—Carolina Gold BBQ Sauce brings that slow-simmered Southern flavor without any fuss.

There’s nothing like the sharp tang of Carolina Gold BBQ Sauce. It’s golden, a little sweet, and always finds its way to my table when we’re firing up the grill. I keep a jar in the fridge all summer long—it’s one of those simple things that makes a meal feel special.

Carolina Gold BBQ Sauce dripping off a spoon to be served with pulled pork and red slaw.
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5 Star Reader Comment

This sauce is absolutely amazing, I may have eaten some directly out of the jar. As an avid sauce girl, I give this a 10/10! This is even better than Little Richard’s version, and I go there just for the sauce!

Stephanie

History Of Carolina Gold Barbecue Sauce

In North Carolina, we are known for our spicy, hot vinegar sauce. I make my own Carolina Vinegar BBQ Sauce, and it’s become a staple in my kitchen. Now, I’m giving my South Carolina friends the due they deserve with my homemade recipe for their famous Carolina Gold BBQ Sauce.

The yellow mustard base in Carolina Gold BBQ Sauce comes straight out of South Carolina’s rich barbecue tradition. It’s believed to have been inspired by German immigrants who settled in the region in the 1700s, bringing their love of mustard with them. Over time, that tangy mustard was blended with vinegar, sugar, and spices to create the bold, golden sauce we know today.

Ingredients For This Recipe

Ingredients for Carolina Gold BBQ Sauce
  • Yellow Mustard – Any brand you like will do just fine. This is the heart of the sauce, giving it that bold, tangy flavor for which Carolina Gold is known.
  • Honey – Adds a smooth sweetness that helps balance out the vinegar and mustard.
  • Brown Sugar – A little extra richness and depth, thanks to that touch of molasses.
  • Apple Cider Vinegar – Brings a good, strong tang that cuts through the richness, just what you want in a barbecue sauce.
  • Black Pepper – I like to use freshly cracked for the most flavor, but use what you’ve got.
  • Worcestershire Sauce – Adds a savory, almost smoky flavor that pulls everything together.
  • Garlic Powder & Onion Powder – Simple, no-fuss seasonings that lend this sauce a well-rounded, rich flavor.
  • Salt – Just a pinch to bring all the flavors to the forefront.
  • Cayenne Pepper – Totally optional, but if you like a little kick, don’t skip it.

Flavor Tweaks & Customizations

  • Herbal twist — mix in chopped fresh parsley or thyme for brightness
  • Add heat — stir in hot sauce or chili powder for spicier kick
  • Smokier touch — a splash of Liquid Smoke or smoked paprika packs more BBQ character

How To Make This Sauce

  • Add all the ingredients to the pot and whisk them together.
  • Bring the sauce to a boil, then reduce and simmer for 5 minutes.
  • Let the sauce cool, and you are ready to serve.
Carolina Gold BBQ Sauce in a mason jar with a spoon for drizzling.

More Homemade BBQ Sauce Recipes You’ll Love

How To Store Homemade BBQ Sauce

Allow the sauce to cool to room temperature, then transfer it to a mason jar or an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.

Carolina Gold BBQ Sauce served with hushpuppies.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use yellow mustard with turmeric?

Yes—standard mustard works, but feel free to experiment with spicy brown or Dijon!

Is it keto or gluten-free?

This sauce is naturally gluten-free and keto-friendly if you use a low-carb sweetener or honey in moderation.

What meats does it pair with?

Perfect on pulled pork, grilled chicken, wings, meatloaf, or even as a dip for fries!

Tips and Tricks For Carolina Gold BBQ Sauce

  • Marinating pork: Carolina Gold BBQ sauce is an excellent marinade for pork, especially pork tenderloin. Marinate the meat in the sauce for a few hours or overnight to allow the flavors to infuse.
  • Take your dipping up a notch This gourmet homemade sauce’s tangy and sweet profile makes it ideal for various foods, such as sweet potato fries, chicken wings, and sausage balls.
Pulled pork sandwich drizzled with Carolina Gold BBQ Sauce served with slaw.

What To Serve With Carolina Gold BBQ Sauce

If you tried this Carolina Gold BBQ Sauce Recipe or any other recipe, please leave a star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below. Thanks!

Carolina Gold BBQ Sauce dripping off a spoon to be served with pulled pork and red slaw.

Carolina Gold BBQ Sauce Recipe

4.93 from 13 reviews
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Servings: 1.5 cups
Calories: 348kcal
Print Pin Rate
Tangy, peppery, and loaded with a punch of flavor, Carolina Gold BBQ Sauce will take anything you slather it on to a whole new level! With a beautiful golden color from mustard and a slight sweetness from brown sugar and honey, this sauce takes only 10 minutes to make.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup yellow mustard
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • ¼ cup brown sugar
  • ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
  • ½ teaspoon fresh cracked pepper
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ¼ teaspoon onion powder
  • pinch of salt
  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)

Instructions

  • To a small pot over medium-high heat, whisk all ingredients together and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and let the sauce simmer for 5 minutes stirring occasionally.
  • Remove the sauce from the stove and let cool. Serve immediately or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator until ready to use.

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 348kcal · Carbohydrates: 72g · Protein: 7g · Fat: 6g · Saturated Fat: 0.4g · Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g · Monounsaturated Fat: 4g · Trans Fat: 0.02g · Sodium: 1987mg · Potassium: 457mg · Fiber: 8g · Sugar: 62g · Vitamin A: 269IU · Vitamin C: 3mg · Calcium: 157mg · Iron: 4mg
Carolina Gold BBQ sauce with 2 images for Pinterest.

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Recipe Rating




19 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    This sauce is absolutely amazing, I may have eaten some directly out of the jar. As an avid sauce girl, I give this a 10/10! This is even better than Little Richard’s version, and I go there just for the sauce!

  2. 4 stars
    Sooo good, my fault that I didn’t have apple cider vinegar, and substituted distilled … rookie mistake, but still yummy!

  3. 5 stars
    I made a quarter of this recipe and added it to oven roasted potatoes tonight. The family really enjoyed it! I didn’t have enough mustard for the entire recipe but it was just enough for the potatoes.

    1. Hey there Wendy!
      Wow! I love the way you think, adding this sauce to roasted potatoes was a genius idea, I’d never thought to do that! Thank you so much for your kind words and your phenomenal rating, I really appreciate your support! If you ever have any questions about a recipe, please don’t hesitate to reach out and ask!
      ~Donya

  4. The first time I made this I only made a half recipe because it sounded like a lot of mustard and I thought it would be over powering.
    The second time I made this I made a double recipe so I won’t run out. It’s great on green Fried tomatoes!
    TG

    1. Hey there!
      Thank you so much for your interest in this recipe, I am thrilled to hear you liked it so much to double it! This Golden BBQ Sauce definitely has a kick from the mustard, and is terrific on just about anything fried. Thank you for your support, let me know if you ever have any questions about a recipe!
      ~Donya

      1. This was awesome! With the acidity of the cider vinegar, I would be able to can this to stock up on right?

      2. Hey there Mike!
        I am so happy to hear that you enjoyed this recipe, it’s one of my favorite BBQ sauces to I’m thrilled that you enjoyed it as well! Canning is not my area of expertise, so I am honestly not sure how long this BBQ Sauce would keep on a shelf if it were canned. This recipe will keep for about 3 weeks as is, if you wanted to extend the shelf life, I would guess that you might need to use more vinegar. I would love to hear how everything turns out if you do end up canning this sauce, I hope you enjoy!
        ~Donya

    1. Hey there Debbie!
      I’m thrilled that you’re excited to try this, it’s one of my favorite sauces ever! Thank you so much for your support, let me know how it turns out!
      ~Donya

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