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!
Full Recipe Instructions
Carolina Mustard Barbecue Sauce Recipe
CLICK TO PLAY RECIPE VIDEO
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!
Kurt
I changed the chipotle minced to "chilli paste" but kept everything else spot on and it rocks, love the spiciness from pepper, chilli and ACV. Great recipe.
Kelli
First time really using a vinegar based sauce - yummo! My sauce coloration was a little darker I think because I used chipolte seasoning as I didn’t have the other before I started making it. Oops. But let me say, after a couple of days it gave the sauce even more heat. We made grilled chicken the first day and then after a couple of days I poured it over roasted veggies - yum!
Jon H
Simply Delicious!
Doug
Outstanding and super easy - had all the ingredients on hand and made it quickly. Super add to the meal. Made another batch later that week!
Amy
Delicious!! I didn’t even think i liked mustard sauce! I ate it on pulled pork but plan to make more for chicken breasts.
Sondra
Love Love Love This! So good on my smoked pork butt! Thank you!
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.
Dessa DeAnda
Do you have a canning recipe for the mustard BBQ sauce?
Krissy
I've never canned this version of sauce.
Buddy McPeak
Yeow! This is delicious. Perfect with chicken. I'll be making this more often.
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.
william couch
I'm from NC,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, Raleigh/Durham area,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, "YOU" didn't eat anything without this.. Even Scrambled eggs.
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.
Rex Morgan
This sauce is GREAT!
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.
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.
Jo
10 minutes in a water bath canner is a sufficient time to can this sauce. I used to make and sell Bar-B-Que Sauce and that is what the extension service told me.
Krissy
I've never canned this particular sauce. As long as its in the canner long enough to pop the seal, that's all the time you need.
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!
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.
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
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
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.
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!