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!
Carolina Mustard Barbecue Sauce is simply amazing on barbecue ribs, pulled pork, grilled chicken - you name it. 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!
Being the food lover that I am, the second the sun starts to shine and I can feel its warmth on my skin, all I want to do is fire up the grill. My husband and kids are all burger, hot dog, and grilled sandwich monsters. If I used that grill every single night to cook our dinner, they would be happy campers.
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!
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.
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 throw 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.
The best ingredients to use when making Mustard BBQ Sauce:
Wanna know what the secret ingredients are and are too impatient to scroll all the way down to the recipe?
Okay, okay, I'll tell you.
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.
The final Carolina barbecue sauce has just the right amount of spice to match up with the tang. I know, its weird to use a barbecue sauce that isn't red. Once you taste this mustard BBQ sauce, however, you may never go back.
More BBQ sauce 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.
- Kansas City style barbecue sauce - thick, sweet, and tangy tomato mixture that sticks to your fingers as much as it sticks to the grilled ribs. YUM.
- Eastern Carolina Vinegar Sauce - he spicy tang of vinegar sauce complements smokey barbecue
- Cherry Barbecue Sauce - Complex and full-bodied, this sauce is ready to take on just about anything you have on the grill or smoker. The cherries add a deep fruitiness that gets well embedded. It's noticeable, yet a little hard to discern at the same time. This BBQ sauce is the perfect choice during the summer months.
- Stout Barbecue Sauce - You must cook this one awhile to get the liquid to evaporate, and in doing so the flavor profile of the beer undoubtedly changes, and while that chocolaty robustness of the stout remains, the bitterness really amps up.
Kitchen tools used:
Flexible Measuring Cups - My sister and I first found these at a cooking class and we thought they were just the best invention. Any time you are measuring and/or pouring liquid, these are simply the best to have on hand. They make a great gift for your favorite cook, too!
Measuring Spoons: There are about a million of these out there to choose from, but these have been my favorite. They are stackable and magnetic so you don't have to deal with that annoying ring.
Step by step video below!
Carolina Mustard Barbecue Sauce Recipe
RECIPE VIDEO WILL AUTOPLAY
Ingredients
- 1 cup yellow mustard
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/4 cup light brown sugar
- 1/2 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 more fun facts and tidbits for your reading pleasure.
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.
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!
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