5-Star Reader Comment
My favorite BBQ sauce in all the world. The tanginess is a perfect complement to BBQ pork!
Martha
THE SAUCE for Pulled Pork
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.
What is Vinegar BBQ Sauce? Carolina Vinegar BBQ Sauce is tangy, spicy, and the ultimate sauce for 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.
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
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Love this sauce. Grew up in Salisbury, NC and I think it’s spot on. I, however, make enough to carry me through several months. It taste great even after 4 months. Love your recipes!!!
Hey there Carole!
My goodness! It always warms my heart to hear from a fellow NC neighbor, I’m so happy to hear that you’ve been enjoying my recipes! This sauce is a favorite in my house as well, I also usually make one or two big batches a year. Thank you so much for your kind words of support, if you ever have any questions about a recipe, please don’t hesitate to reach out!
~Donya
Can be stored for up to 3 weeks!? It’s almost pure Vinegar, with Sugar and Chili, it will store almost indefinitely, unless you cross contaminate it along the way 😉
Hey there!
Thank you so much for your interest in this recipe, I hope you do give it a try! You are absolutely correct, this sauce will likely last longer than 3 weeks if it’s made and stored properly, I included the 3 week cutoff as a recommendation, it’s all better to be safe than sorry. Let me know if you give this BBQ Sauce recipe a try, I’d love to hear how everything turns out, I hope you enjoy!
~Donya
Always loved this sauce, perfect for many other dishes, mine has a few other additions.
Thanks again Donya
Hey there!
Thank you so much for your fantastic rating and your kind words, I am so happy to hear that you’ve been enjoying this recipe! I totally agree with you that this sauce is super versatile, it goes well with so many different dishes. I really appreciate you’re support, if you ever have any questions about a recipe, please don’t hesitate to reach out!
~Donya
Found your recipe online and became a fan. My husband and I love your sauce with smoked pulled pork – it cuts the fatty flavor but complements the pork all at the same time. Here in the Pacific NW many of us only know the bottled bbq sauces and this recipe is a nice change of pace.
Hey there Elizabeth!
Wow! I am so glad to hear that you found your way to my corner of the internet, welcome to the Southern Soul family! Thank you so much for your kind words and your phenomenal rating, I totally agree with you, this is the ultimate sauce for smoked pulled pork. If you enjoyed this recipe, you should check out my Carolina Gold BBQ Sauce, it’s a mustard based BBQ sauce that has a delicious tangy flavor, I’d love to hear what you think of it. Thank you so much for your support, if you ever have any questions about a recipe, please don’t hesitate to reach out and ask!
~Donya
Donya,,, This sauce doesn’t last 3 weeks, it’s always gone way before that, use it on fish and much more. First fell in love with it in a small town by Blowing Rock just off the trail, like a general store place. Used if for years now.
Thanks as always for all you do here, Douglas
Hey there Douglas!
Wow! Thank you so much for your phenomenal rating and your kind words, I am absolutely thrilled to hear you like this recipe! There’s something special about NC BBQ sauce, personally I love vinegar based BBQ but some prefer tomato based, either way you end up with a tasty meal. Thank you so much for your support, it makes me so happy to hear you’ve been enjoying my content. I hope you have a great Labor Day weekend!
~Donya
Best damn Carolina style sauce I ever had, great on the pulled pork! Thanks
signed – a damn yankee from the midwest
Fred,
You are THE BEST and I love this comment.
Thanks so much for the great rating!
Have a great day,
~Donya
Donya,,,,,Love all your recipes,,,always keep my eye on what you post and ever have any questions on something I’ll let you know…thanks ,,,Douglas
My all time favorite sauce for BBQ and many other things,,could almost drink it,,had in Blowing Rock years ago and since then it’s been my favorite,,,some time I mix it with OVOO and sour cream for a nice fresh dressing…yum yum
Thanks, Douglas!
I like the idea of the dressing and will have to try that. Thank you so much for the high rating you’ve given to my recipes.
Have a great day,
~Donya
I grew up in statesville NC and my favorite BBQ joint of all time is Little Pigs. Their sauce is a bit thicker. I just LOVE it. My mom always said that texas pete was their secret ingredient. I am wondering if they didn’t have some mustard. The sauce was thick and orange-ish. IF anyone has a recipe for that style I would LOVE to know.
Thanks for the recipe making this tonight @April Befort the sauce you are describing sounds like South Carolina Mustard sauce one on my favorite BBQ Sauces from the south
Originally from Winston Salem and grew up on Lexington style BBQ. Now I live in Florida and always have a yearning for some good BBQ. Thanks for your sauce, slaw and pulled pork recipes, they bring a little bit of home sweet home to southern Florida!
Thanks, Buddy!
Good sauce. Here in Tn, we don’t use ketchup. Black pepper continues to get hotter, so, we use red pepper, which holds its heat steady and paprika for color. Otherwise, we are on the same page!!
Hey Debbie!
Thank you so much for your fantastic rating! I’ll definitely have to try your spin on it, that sounds great! You should check out my Air Fryer Chicken Wing recipe, it goes really well with the sauce. Let me know if you try it!
~Donya
I have tried other bbq sauces, they had no flavor. After I let the sauce sit for 4 days best I ever tasted
Thank you Carl!
I’m so glad you like the recipe.
Have a great day,
~Donya