Vinegar Based Carolina BBQ Sauce Recipe (2024)

Published June 30, 2021.This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

This simple-to-make delicious vinegar-based Carolina-Style BBQ Sauce has the perfect combination of tangy, sweet, and spicy for all of your BBQ dishes.

Sauces can oftentimes make or break recipes, especially when it comes to BBQ. If you want to try out some new sauces that will absolutely make your next smoked pork shoulder or smoked ribs amazing, then definitely try my Sweet BBQ Sauce or Mustard BBQ Sauce.

Carolina BBQ Sauce

Eastern North Carolina BBQ sauce is considered the mother of all the BBQ sauces out there. With generations-old history, this thin condiment is fantastic when mopping your whole hog barbecue all day long. The well-balanced combination of flavors greatly enhances the flavor of smoked proteins and helps to tenderize due to the high vinegar content.

The basic ingredients for this tasty Carolina style Vinegar BBQ Sauce are:

Vinegar: Most often apple cider is vinegar.
Spices: Pepper, cayenne, salt, and onion are commonly used.
Red Pepper: Crushed pepper flakes are a staple
Hot Sauce: any hot sauce will do.

How to Make BBQ Sauce from Scratch

Use these easy-to-follow instructions for making this delicious Carolina BBQ sauce from scratch:

Add the vinegar and brown sugar to a medium-size saucepot and bring to a boil.

Vinegar Based Carolina BBQ Sauce Recipe (2)

Turn the heat down and add in the remaining ingredients and simmer on low heat for 5 minutes.

Vinegar Based Carolina BBQ Sauce Recipe (3)

Make-Ahead and Storage

Make-Ahead: You can make this up to 3 days ahead of time. The longer it sits the more flavors that will come out.

How to Reheat: Add the desired amount to a small size saucepot and cook over low heat until warm.

How to Store: Cover and keep in the refrigerator for up to 21 days. This will not freeze well.

Chef Notes + Tips

Substitute the onion and garlic granules with powder.
You can lightly caramelize finely minced garlic and onions in oil before adding it to this recipe substituting for the onion and garlic granules.
This would go excellent with beef, pork, chicken, and French fries.

Vinegar Based Carolina BBQ Sauce Recipe (5)

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Vinegar Based Carolina BBQ Sauce Recipe

5 from 37 votes

This simple-to-make tasty vinegar-based Carolina-Style BBQ Sauce has the perfect combination of tangy, sweet, and spicy for your BBQ.

Servings: 4 cups

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes

Ingredients

3 cups of apple cider vinegar
¼ cup packed light brown sugar
2 teaspoons salt
2 teaspoons garlic granules
2 teaspoons onion granules
½ teaspoon black pepper
1 tablespoon red pepper flakes
1 teaspoon hot sauce
1/3 cup of ketchup

Instructions

Add the vinegar, brown sugar, and salt to a medium-size pot and bring to a boil.
Add in all the other ingredients and simmer on low heat for 15 minutes.
Cool and serve.

Notes

Chef Notes:

Make-Ahead: You can make this up to 3 days ahead of time. The longer it sits the more flavors that will come out.

How to Reheat: Add the desired amount to a small size saucepot and cook over low heat until warm.

How to Store: Cover and keep in the refrigerator for up to 21 days. This will not freeze well.

Substitute the onion and garlic granules with powder.

You can lightly caramelize finely minced garlic and onions in oil before adding it to this recipe substituting for the onion and garlic granules.

This would go excellent with beef, pork, chicken, and French fries.

Nutrition

Calories: 127kcalCarbohydrates: 23gProtein: 1gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 1418mgPotassium: 284mgFiber: 1gSugar: 19gVitamin A: 699IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 41mgIron: 1mg

Course: sauce

Cuisine: American, southern

Author: Chef Billy Parisi

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81 comments

Doug Armstrong

February 11, 2024
How do you thicken it up?
Reply
- February 12, 2024
  It’s not supposed to be thick.
  Reply
Rhonda

January 6, 2024
Yes I did make it. It was great! I will definitely put this in my recipe file.
Reply
Deborah Sanders

November 6, 2023
Can this sauce be made and canned in jars for my pantry??
Reply
- November 23, 2023
  without testing it, I’m not 100% sure.
  Reply
Sharon Jordan

September 21, 2023
I made this, and now it stays in my refrigerator forever! This reminds me of my grandmom-I let it simmer just a tad so that it can thicken up even more… Just like hers! Thank you Chef, for your ability to help me to remember her through your food.🌹
Reply
Kim

September 21, 2023
We all loved it.
Reply
Marie Wilson

September 21, 2023
Love your videos. Thanks!
Reply
KEN TERRY

September 7, 2023
Just the way my granny made it.
Reply
- September 15, 2023
  love it!
  Reply
Barbie Doll

September 7, 2023
Elevated my BBQ and everyone begged for the secret. I told them Chef Billy Parisi springs my cooking to a higher level with simple techniques. 😊
Reply
- September 15, 2023
  excellent!
  Reply
Jennifer

September 1, 2023
Love this sauce!
Reply

See Also
Toum Recipe - Lebanese Garlic Sauce Homemade Potted Beef | Moorlands Eater Recipes 21 Best Bon Appetit Magazine Recipes 22 guilty pleasure recipes to make when you just want to eat what you want
- September 3, 2023
  so good!!
  Reply
Marlin

August 31, 2023
Simple and a really good sauce.
Reply
- September 3, 2023
  so good!!
  Reply
Janet Miehle

August 31, 2023
I’ve been looking for a good recipe for Carolina barbecue sauce.. we lived and breathed the whole hog barbeque places when we lived there 40 years ago.. this sauce is the closest one to those that i ever had.. so good.. thank you
Reply
- September 3, 2023
  my pleasure!
  Reply
Cheryl

August 29, 2023
The nutrition chart at the bottom of the recipe. Is that for a total of all 4 cups or what?
Reply
- August 30, 2023
  yes
  Reply
Chris Powell

August 11, 2023
Absolutely delicious!
Reply
- August 15, 2023
  many thanks!
  Reply
Tim Bramsen

July 27, 2023
Awesome sauce! Thanks!
Reply
- July 28, 2023
  my pleasure!
  Reply
Andy Heath

July 16, 2023
Awesome! From pork to chicken, really adds great flavor!
Reply
- July 16, 2023
  so good!!
  Reply
Camille Sutherland

July 14, 2023
Every Chef Billy Parisi recipe I make is just perfect! Thank you! <3
Reply
- July 15, 2023
  Awesome!
  Reply
Spitz Debra

July 13, 2023
Loved the vinegar based sauce!!
Reply
- July 15, 2023
  so good!!
  Reply
Jody Hart

July 13, 2023
As a professional BBQ Judge I really loved your recipes of the different sauces!!! Thank you so much!
Jody Hart
Reply
- July 15, 2023
  that’s awesome!
  Reply
Capt. Jeff Polizzotto

July 13, 2023
My favorite BBQ sauce. Solid recipe. Miss that here in Alaska-brings me back to Hickory, North Carolina.❤️⚓
#themaggiesea.com
Reply
- July 13, 2023
  so good!!
  Reply
Doug Bearden

July 13, 2023
Excellent BBQ sauce!
Reply
- July 13, 2023
  See Also
  25 Leftover Ham Recipes
  Many Thanks!
  Reply
Eli Pupovac

July 7, 2023
Gonna make it this week-sounds like a knockout!
Reply
- July 9, 2023
  Excellent, my friend!
  Reply
Sara R.

July 5, 2023
This sauce turned out amazing! We put a pork loin in the crockpot for 4 hrs, then shredded it & added this sauce. Was so tasty with some homemade coleslaw on a grilled Hawaiian bun 😋
Reply
- July 6, 2023
  Perfect!
  Reply
Ryan Raymond

July 1, 2023
It was pretty tasty but was lacking a bit of heat for my palette. Added some gochujang and that kicked it up.
Reply
Sherry

July 1, 2023
Can I use some of the Carolina sauce on my Boston Butt while it is almost done when cooking it in slow cooker?
Reply
- July 10, 2023
  why not?
  Reply
James Danley

June 21, 2023
Great sauce. I’m a die-hard Memphis BBQ fan but this one is on point and way better for pulled sandwiches (sorry Mr. Neely).
Reply
- June 22, 2023
  thanks for giving it a shot!!
  Reply
Susan

June 18, 2023
This is the BEST!I don’t like bbq sauce,but Billy I adore yours.ty for a sauce I use on almost anything
Reply
- June 20, 2023
  so good!!
  Reply
Nick C

June 18, 2023
Made the sauce two days ago. Used it on chicken today. It was delicious. Thank you.
Reply
- June 20, 2023
  thanks for giving it a shot!!
  Reply
Debby Sheets

June 15, 2023
Delicious! My family loved it’
Reply
- June 25, 2023
  Awesome!
  Reply
Tim

June 6, 2023
I made a keto version. Using no sugar ketchup, Swerve Brown Sugar Substitue. As the ketchup had no sweetner and Swerve is not as rich as reg brown sugar I doubled it so ½ cup packed.
Used Frank’s Hot sauce and left the pepper flakes out. Added 1 tsp of gluten free soy.
It is awesome. Such a simple recipe that was super easy to convert to sugar free. Tangy mildly sweet with a hint of heat on the backside. Ideal for pulled pork and good for chicken.
Makes a great mop as well for the pit.
Reply
Kimberly LaRoux

June 5, 2023
This BBQ sauce is fabulous! It’s the perfect amount of heat and sweet/ acidic balance. I’ve made several of Chef Parisi’s recipes and I’ve not been disappointed in a single one! They’re all equally wonderful!
Reply
- June 11, 2023
  thank you so kindly!!
  Reply
Andria Hall

June 2, 2023
New favorite! We will be barbequing all summer just for this sauce!
Reply
Sherri Voebel

June 2, 2023
This is delicious and so easy to make!
Reply
- July 15, 2023
  so good!!
  Reply
Sue

June 2, 2023
I left a bit of sugar and ketchup out, as husband diabetic. So good. Love your videos, humor, and ability to speak to all levels of “chefs”. Thank you.
Reply
Andy Heath

June 2, 2023
Awesome !
Reply
- July 16, 2023
  fantastic
  Reply
Amy Dawson

June 1, 2023
The best sauce recipe! So easy and delicious! Has become a family favorite for our BBQ’ing.
Reply
- July 19, 2023
  excellent!
  Reply
Kelly Smith

June 1, 2023
So delicious !
Reply
- July 19, 2023
  fantastic
  Reply
Cathy

June 1, 2023
Delicious !
Reply
- July 15, 2023
  many thanks!
  Reply
HCampbell

May 31, 2023
Made this on Memorial Day to serve with smoked pork butt. When I was putting it together, my husband was skeptical about the vinegar. But once we put it on our pulled pork, we were both completely sold. That acidity brightened the flavor of the meat, and really complimented the flavor of the rub. Fantastic!
Reply
- June 1, 2023
  thanks for giving it a shot!!
  Reply
Linda

May 27, 2023
Made this today! House smells like vinegar heaven! Just the right amount of kick. Thank you!!
Reply
- May 30, 2023
  Awesome!
  Reply
Carol O’Brien

May 26, 2023
So love your shows and watching you make all those yummy recipes!! Do you think you could post the recipes each time you make something in the comments so we can screenshot it!! I just love Pasticio. I hope I spelled it correctly is Greek lasagna FU could make that I would greatly appreciate it and love the recipe.!!
Reply
- May 26, 2023
  In the comments of what?
  Reply
Cathie Zimmerer

May 5, 2023
I added a dash of soy to half of it and extra sugar in other half, both were delicious
Reply
- May 9, 2023
  nice!
  Reply
Tami

March 21, 2023
I love this recipe….for slaw burgers it is a must!
Reply
- March 21, 2023
  so good!!
  Reply
M

March 16, 2023
Great flavor. Mine came out thick rather than the thin sauce pictured (I halved the recipe and maybe cooked it too high for the 15 minutes?) but the sauce is still great. I used fresh onion and garlic. Siracha for my hot sauce. Nice spicy taste. Will cook at a lower temp next time to see if it’s more saucy
Reply
Terri Armstead

September 11, 2022
I LOVE this sauce. Family doesn’t like the heat of the pepper so when I make it again, I will see how it is with half the pepper. Thank you!!
Reply
chuck

August 6, 2022
its on the stovetop now simmering…..i substituted my powdered smoked habaneros i grew in my garden for the pepper flakes.,….. Oh My this is coming out terrific….
Reply
Donna A Pollock

June 17, 2022
I have made this recipe 3 rimes in one week already. It’s so good I think someone here must be drinking it….. We have a Fathers Day/ Birthday part this weekend and we are putting this on everything. We love you Sweet Vinegar Based sauce. You can always make it a little hotter or just keep it cool for the kids, and older adults that can’t take to much heat…Thank you so much for all your recipes….
Reply
Catrina Watkins

July 1, 2021
Okay, I’m looking forward to making this and I’m going to try this on some Shrimp… yes BBQ shrimp 🍤
Reply

Vinegar Based Carolina BBQ Sauce Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Which vinegar is best for barbecue sauce? ›

Apple cider vinegar is most common in barbecue sauce, but rice vinegar can do the job nicely without being so heavily tart. You can also look to citrus fruit for acidity as well.

Find Out More ›

Is South Carolina BBQ vinegar based? ›

S.C. is known for a variety of sauces (dictated by geography): vinegar-pepper, light tomato, heavy tomato + mustard-based sauce – which is unique to S.C. Search for BBQ in your area here. Like the other two, S.C.'s sauce is made with vinegar, but this time the added ingredient is mustard.

Can I use regular vinegar instead of apple cider vinegar for BBQ sauce? ›

While some traditional barbecue sauce recipes do call for ACV, many use distilled white vinegar or white wine vinegar instead, and the difference between the former and the latter two is pretty noticeable.

Discover More Details ›

Does vinegar-based barbecue sauce go bad? ›

Generally, yes, assuming there is no mold or signs of spoilage. But, by consuming BBQ sauce well past its prime, you're sacrificing something much greater than your culinary morals: flavor.

Is Sweet Baby Ray's vinegar based? ›

Sweet Baby Ray's Original Hot Sauce is a delicious blend of aged cayenne and vinegar that will keep you coming back again and again. It's also the base of all Sweet Baby Ray's legendary Buffalo Wing Sauces.

Read The Full Story ›

What are the two types of Carolina BBQ? ›

There are two main styles of BBQ in North Carolina—Eastern and Lexington (“Piedmont”). Eastern-style BBQ uses the whole-hog (“every part of the hog but the squeal”) with a lemon juice or vinegar, pepper-based sauce. Eastern style incorporates zero tomatoes in its recipe.

Explore More ›

What is the difference between Eastern Carolina BBQ and Western Carolina BBQ? ›

Western style, or Lexington style BBQ, uses a red sauce seasoned with ketchup, vinegar, and pepper, along with other spices that may vary from recipe to recipe. Whereas Eastern style uses the whole hog, this style utilizes only the pork shoulder.

Who uses vinegar-based BBQ sauce? ›

Eastern Carolina BBQ is characterized by its vinegar-based sauce with a sharp tang and heat. It is commonly used for pork, particularly pulled pork. Western Carolina BBQ (or Lexington-style) incorporates a vinegar base with ketchup or tomato sauce, resulting in a tangy and slightly sweet sauce.

Read The Full Story ›

What can I add to barbecue sauce to make it taste better? ›

What To Add To Store-Bought BBQ Sauce?

Spices like: Smoked paprika, chili powder, cayenne, coriander, onion powder.
Fresh herbs like: rosemary, oregano, parsley.
Chipotle chilis in adobo.
Harissa.
Kimchi.
Bacon bits.
Sautéed onions or Jalapeños.
Mop sauce or vinegar.

More items...

Learn More Now ›

How to make barbecue sauce tastier? ›

Add a few glugs of Frank's RedHot or Louisiana-style Crystal. Or any other spicy condiment, really: swirl in some sambal oelek, gochujang, or harissa. Play with the smoky notes found in a can of adobo sauce, or the citrus flavors in Cuban mojo. Another source of smoky flavor: smoked paprika.

What vinegar is closest to apple cider vinegar? ›

White wine vinegar is another good alternative to apple cider vinegar because of their similar acidity profiles.

Read On ›

Should you refrigerate BBQ sauce after opening? ›

How you store BBQ sauce is a super important piece to keeping it food-safe and fresh. This might seem like a no-brainer, but for anyone who needs to hear it: Opened BBQ sauce should be stored in the refrigerator. Unopened BBQ sauce should be stored in the pantry or cupboard out of direct sunlight.

Discover More Details ›

Can you freeze vinegar based BBQ sauce? ›

You can definitely freeze barbecue sauce — and you should if you're not going to use it within two weeks.

Learn More Now ›

Do vinegar based sauces need to be refrigerated? ›

But even if your homemade hot sauce has a vinegar base (which spoils more slowly), we highly recommend keeping it in the refrigerator.

Read The Full Story ›

What kind of vinegar is used for sauce? ›

Unlike red wine vinegar, white wine vinegar will not stain your foods, so it is a good choice for brining and pickling. It is also a staple in many classic sauces, including hollandaise and béarnaise. It is even used in Julia Child's famous vinaigrette.

Discover More Details ›

Why do you put vinegar in BBQ sauce? ›

Take a tip from North Carolina and look to vinegar—white vinegar, apple cider vinegar—as the key to great barbecue sauce, cutting its sweetness and lending a little tang. Or take a tip from South Carolina barbecue (we're not picking sides) and achieve the same effect with a generous dose of yellow mustard.

What does apple cider vinegar do for BBQ? ›

When it comes to barbecue sauce, ACV brings the tanginess with an added touch of sweetness. You've got apple notes, as well as that element of cider — both welcome nuances to BBQ sauce. The needed acidity for balance is there but without all the sharp edges of white vinegar.