Carolina Mustard Barbecue Sauce is the easiest homemade BBQ sauce recipe you'll find! This mustard BBQ sauce is so easy to make, spicy, & flavorful!
All you need to do is mix the ingredients together and wait for the flavors to develop. Use this BBQ sauce to smother your ribs, burgers, chicken, and more!
Why this recipe works:
This Mustard Barbecue Sauce is simply amazing on barbecue ribs, pulled pork, grilled chicken - you name it. It has a little bit of heat, a little bit of sweet, and a whole lot of flavor!
This recipe couldn't be easier to make. There are a lot of ingredients, but all you have to do is mix them together. No cooking required!
The best ingredients:
The main ingredient is mustard, of course. I just use standard yellow mustard.
Throw in some ketchup (because its almost wrong to eat mustard without ketchup), some Worcestershire sauce, and... get ready for it... chipotle peppers in adobo sauce.
Sweetness is added from the honey and brown sugar. Tang is created from the apple cider vinegar. And a little garlic powder and freshly ground pepper add that final touch of flavor!
How to make Carolina BBQ Sauce:
- The cast of characters are shown below - mustard (of course... you can't have Carolina BBQ sauce without it), apple cider vinegar, honey, brown sugar, garlic powder - but I put a few more key ingredients in to really kick up the flavor.
- All you have to do is throw all the ingredients in an airtight container, give it a good stir to mix everything up, and then let your Caroline BBQ sauce chill in the refrigerator overnight to really let the flavors combine.
- This mustard BBQ sauce literally takes only a few minutes to mix together.
- When you're ready to serve up the Carolina mustard barbecue sauce, just warm it up on the stove and smother that grilled meat. Mercy. No slaving over the stove for this recipe like you do with other barbecue sauce that you cook on the stove.
What is the secret to tasty BBQ?
The first step to an outstanding barbecued meal is flavorful, good quality meat that is cooked to perfection.
The second, and arguably just as important, step is to serve it up with an outstanding barbecue sauce, and this is one of the best BBQ sauce recipes out there.
I'll tell you how to make mustard based BBQ sauce, and the process is so easy it will blow your mind. I knew I was going to grill up some pulled pork on the smoker and wanted to make an outstanding Carolina BBQ sauce that was equally as tasty.
Where is mustard based BBQ sauce from?
Part of South Carolina is known for its yellow barbecue sauces made primarily of yellow mustard, vinegar, sugar and spices. This sauce is most common in a belt from Columbia to Charleston, an area settled by many Germans.
I, admittedly, have never been to South Carolina, but I've had several readers tell me that my BBQ sauce is quite authentic. I hope you like it too!
Related recipe ideas:
- Whiskey BBQ sauce - this is one that you cook on the stove but it is oh-so worth it. I'm not a fan of whiskey, but the alcohol cooks off and all that's left is the flavor! Be sure to make a lot of this one and then preserve it by canning a bunch of jars.
- There are so many fantastic side dishes that would go well this mustard BBQ sauce and your favorite grilled meat. I usually make up some of my Grandma's potato salad and some angel hair cole slaw. YUM!
- Smother this sauce over some Apple Cider Brined Smoked Pulled Pork or Roasted Chicken!
Step by step video below!
Did you make this recipe? Be sure to leave me a comment below to let me know what you think!
Carolina Mustard Barbecue Sauce Recipe
RECIPE VIDEO WILL AUTOPLAY
Ingredients
- 1 cup yellow mustard
- ¼ cup honey
- ¼ cup light brown sugar
- ½ cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon chipotle pepper in adobo (minced)
- 1 tablespoon ketchup
- 2 teaspoons Worchestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Mix all ingredients well.
- For best results, refrigerate in an airtight container overnight to allow the flavors to develop.
- To serve, warm in a pot over very low heat and use on grilled meats like pulled pork or chicken.
Notes
NUTRITION INFORMATION
This post was originally created in April 2015 and has been updated with photos and helpful information. Don't worry - I didn't change the recipe!
Sheila
This looks really good plus it's so easy and quick to make one. It's time to bring out my airtight jars and whip a batch of this mustard barbeque sauce. I am so excited.
Wayne
Too much apple cider vinegar
Robin Gibson
Moved to Ga.. Missing my Carolina Gold. I will be trying this. How about adding a dash of liquid smoke. Making it today.
Krissy
Liquid smoke is a great idea!
Pen
I think it tastes almost identical without the peppers. YUM!!
Dave Robertson
This was amazing on pulled pork. Thank you!
Karel
I'LL MADE THIS SAUCE. ABSOLUTE THE BEST. THANKS FOR SHARING THIS WITH US. I'M FROM THE NETHERLANDS AND CAROLINA SAUCE IS NOT A SAUCE THAT PEOPLE KNOW AROUND HERE BUT HOPEFULLY THATS GOING TO CHANGE. THX. AGAIN
Destiny Stephens
Do you think that it would still be good without out the chipotle pepper in adobo. i am not a huge pepper fan like that.
Krissy
Yes! The chipotle adds a smokey flavor, but if you don't like that I think a little heat from Tobasco would be great too.
Bonnie
I wanted this thicker to dip my chicken tenders in, so I reduced it in an iron skillet. It turned a lovely golden color and was delicious!
Mississippi Rob
Add 1/2 a cup of bourbon to this recipe and reduce to thicken.
Jay
I pureed some pineapple and roasted garlic, and added that to your mix. Tomorrow is the day of reckoning with some pulled pork butts and about 75 hungry men. I also used some "hot" honey and a piece of ghost pepper from the backyard garden, in place of the chili adobe sauce. Thank you for providing such a simple to make sauce ! Excited to see how it develops overnight in the refrigerator.
Meg
Mind-blowingly delish! I will totally make this again.
Chuck
Just made my third batch! What a great and flavorful recipe. Will accent the seasonings on my Boston Butt. Thanks for a great recipe!
Lonnie golden
Do you have recipe for caning this BBQ sauce
Krissy
Hi Lonnie, I've never canned this one since it's so easy to make. Sorry!
Nicole
This sauce came out really good. I added a teaspoon of liquid smoke and a few dashes of hot sauce. Next time i will cut down the apple cider vinegar to half the amount as I felt it was a little too strong. I served this with beef short ribs.
James Roller
Krissy, I have lived in South Carolina for 52 of my 53 years, minus a one-year stint in NC for 2nd grade. Your recipe is spot on but with an interesting twist. I have never seen a "chunky" mustard sauce on the table at any of the many BBQ joints I have visited. As someone who writes extensively about SC BBQ, I have to say I am intrigued by the addition of the chipotle and will have to try it out myself. Our family recipe, while obviously a personal favorite, loses the beautiful bright yellow color that you maintain in your recipe with the addition of some darker spices (notably chili powder). If you ever have any questions about SCBBQ, feel free to contact me. I am happy to help in any way.e
Mona
This sauce Rocks! I made it for pork and chicken but couldn’t eat it out of the spoon! I used brags apple cider vinegar and followed the recipe to the T which filled a pint jar to the top. I didn’t heat it on the stove and just made it straight in the jar. Thank you so much for posting this delicious sauce recipe.!
Krissy
So glad you liked it! -Krissy
Sandi Rivers
This is so delicious ! It passed the taste test by my husband, a native south carolinian. I'm adding this to my vault of favorite recipes.
Lynn
I have never tried Mustard BBQ sauce before, but this recipe looked intriguing. I added a little bit more honey than what this calls for knowing my audience. But, it was DELICIOUS! Thanks!
Caroline
Hi! Have you ever canned/processed this sauce? Since it’s got so much vinegar/mustard in it I wouldn’t think it would take long to process in the water bath but I’m curious about any wisdom you can share! =)
Krissy
I haven't because we always eat it up right away. Plus, it's so easy to make I don't ever feel like I need to make it in large batches and preserve it... but I bet you're right. If you try canning it, will you let me know how it goes? Thanks! Krissy
Elvin price
You can order the original mustard BBQ sauce from Maurice’s Piggie Park, 1600 west Columbia, SC 29169. 1-800-796-0220. They have the mild and spicy sauce. They also sell the best BBQ and something called Hash, the hash is served on rice and the sauce is poured on the BBQ, they ship worldwide frozen.
I’m from S.C. and for me this is the only way to serve BBQ.
Stephanie
All I can say is...DELICIOUS 😋
Do you know how long this will keep in the fridge?
Krissy
I've had it keep for at least a week. I imagine it might keep even longer, but we always end up using it.
Rex Morgan
This sauce is GREAT!
Terri
Doesn’t have to be heated up?
Krissy
No cooking required! That being said, I prefer to have it warm when served with my meat.
william couch
I'm from NC,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, Raleigh/Durham area,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, "YOU" didn't eat anything without this.. Even Scrambled eggs.
Cyndy
I’m am SC native and I love this sauce! I added a little liquid smoke cause I wasn’t grilling with it . YUMMY! Thanks for sharing.
Buddy McPeak
Yeow! This is delicious. Perfect with chicken. I'll be making this more often.
Steven
Wonderful stuff. I added liquid smoke, a couple of dollops of horseradish mustard. Doubled the Lea &perrins and lots of Frank’s hot sauce.