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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Great recipe, I added a squeeze of yellow mustard, came out Great
Hello! I am having surgery next week and will be on the “disabled list” for awhile. I want to make some pulled pork and other dishes to put in the freezer so my hubby and sons don’t starve to death while trying to figure out how to turn on the stove. My question is will this sauce recipe work if I combine it with the pork and then bag it and freeze or will it get wonky upon thawing? I’m just not sure what the acid base will do to the meat. If anyone has any insight I thank you in advance.
Yes, add the sauce and freeze. It will turn out great. I hope your recovery goes well.
~Donya
Because I was doing the shoulder in slow cooker I added just 2 drops of liquid smoke to the sauce.
Awesomeness, in a jar.love this recipe, keep up the good recipes. Thank you for sharing6
Thanks!
~Donya
By the way, I make a dry rub, rub it in all over then wrap pork up and put in the fridge overnight.
I polled all my southern cousins to ask for the pulled pork BBQ sauce recipe. All agree apple cider vinegar, Franks hot sauce with some butter. Although I think this recipe tastes great with shredded low and slow smoked pork butt. Yummy
Excellent
I wanted to use this as a regular style BBQ sauce to be brushed on ribs. I added 1 tsp of xanthum gum to thicken it and keep it keto.
This is the closest to my moms I’ve had. Thanks. It is darn hard to duplicate something that was never written down. I may need to tweak it ever so slightly to get it closer to my moms, but this is dang close!
Please let me know if you tweak it some and what you did to it, agree that the best recipes were never written down
I know how goo it is, I just drink it . yummy