Carolina Vinegar BBQ Sauce is tangy, spicy, and is the ultimate sauce when you’re serving pork! Originating in North Carolina, this sauce is easy to make with just 6 ingredients. This traditional sauce is for anyone who takes their pork BBQ seriously.
5-Star Reader Comment
My favorite BBQ sauce in all the world. The tanginess is a perfect complement to BBQ pork!
Martha
Where I’m from, it’s just not a proper Southern pulled pork sandwich without Carolina Vinegar Sauce.
In North Carolina, we’re famous for our pulled pork and whole hog barbecue that’s chopped, loaded onto a soft bun, and topped with this sauce that packs a punch. It brings out all the beautiful flavors of smoked meat without overshadowing it.
Carolina Vinegar BBQ Sauce Is…
- tangy with a peppery kick
- easy to make with just 6 ingredients
- a classic sauce for pulled pork
- is great to serve with chicken and ribs
- totally addictive!
This eastern North Carolina recipe’s base is apple cider vinegar, which has a strong acidic flavor that goes well with rich, slow cooker pork. The addition of ketchup and brown sugar mellows the vinegar’s flavor just a bit. Red pepper flakes and black pepper elevate the sauce with an irresistible spicy kick to the tancy sauce.
Ingredients For This Recipe
- Apple Cider Vinegar – the star of the show, giving this sauce its signature tangy kick
- Ketchup – adds a touch of sweetness and body to balance the vinegar
- Brown Sugar – for just the right amount of rich, molasses-style sweetness
- Red Pepper Flakes – brings the heat! Swap in cayenne pepper if you prefer
- Black Pepper – adds depth and a subtle bite
- Kosher Salt – to round out all the flavors and bring everything together
Can I Adjust The Heat In The Sauce?
If you’re not a fan of that much heat, you can adjust the heat level by reducing the red pepper.
How To Store Homemade BBQ Sauce
Once you’ve made the sauce and let it cool, you can store it in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. I keep mine in a mason jar , but any glass container with a lid will work
What To Serve With Carolina Vinegar BBQ Sauce
I always serve Carolina Vinegar with pulled pork and ribs. It’s also delicious drizzled on grilled chicken and as a dressing for slaw.
My Favorite Homemade BBQ Sauces
- Carolina Gold BBQ Sauce – a yellow mustard bbq sauce made popular in Southn Carolina
- Alabama White Sauce – a creamy and tangy sauce with just a bit of peppery heat.
- Homemade Carolina-Style Barbecue Sauce: This sauce has a sweet richness from brown sugar and honey and a tangy punch from fresh lemon juice and Dijon mustard.
More Southern Recipes You’ll Love
If you tried this Carolina Vinegar BBQ Sauce Recipe or any other recipe, please leave a star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below. Thanks!
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 cup apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a small saucepan. Bring to a boil then reduce to simmer cooking for 2 minutes until sugar and salt dissolves.
- Remove from heat and let cool. Store in a covered jar or bottle in the refrigerator until ready to use. It can be stored for up to 3 weeks.
Nutrition
My New eBook!
The Effortless Host
Hosting doesn’t have to mean stress, long to-do lists, or staying stuck in the kitchen. The Effortless Host is your shortcut to pulling off beautiful gatherings with confidence and ease.
5 Days of
Southern Christmas Showstoppers
GET THIS FREE GUIDE: Southern favorites from appetizers, to cookies, to my Christmas dinner menu.
Why only 3 weeks in the fridge? It’s vinegar based and boiled. Shouldn’t it last for months?
Hey there! Feel free to use your own judgement when it comes to what you’re comfortable with. I always suggest the minimum time of keeping it in the fridge to make sure it stays fresh. ~Donya
My favorite BBQ sauce in all the world. The tanginess is a perfect complement to BBQ pork!
Thank you for the kind review! Happy cooking! ~Donya
From my neck of the woods, no ketchup or brown sugar. But it’s up to personal preference.
I haven’t made this yet. It looks super good! My problem is I’m allergic to apple cider vinegar. Suggestions on a replacement?
I’ve never tested or used any other vinegar but you can substitute whatever you normally use.
~Donya