This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
This easy recipe shows you how to make the most tangy and delicious Carolina Mustard BBQ Sauce, also known as South Carolina Mustard BBQ Sauce, and explore why this mustard-based BBQ sauce should find a place with your favorite grilling and barbecue recipes.
One of the fantastic aspects of this mustard sauce recipe is its simplicity. Unlike other BBQ sauces that require simmering for hours, this sauce is a breeze to make. Simply mix the ingredients together, and you’re good to go.
The result? A tangy, golden sauce that perfectly complements smoked or grilled meats.
This post was originally created in April 2015 and has been updated with photos and helpful information so that you can easily recreate the recipe in your own kitchen!
Key Ingredients Needed
The full recipe can be found below, but here is a summary of what is needed for the recipe. I make this sauce every summer and I love that I can almost always find every ingredient in my pantry.
- Yellow Mustard: The main ingredient, yellow mustard, provides the sauce with its distinctive color and tangy kick.
- Honey and Brown Sugar: These sweet ingredients balance the tanginess of the mustard.
- Apple Cider Vinegar: Adding a touch of acidity and fruity notes, apple cider vinegar is a crucial element in this recipe. The apple flavor especially compliments pork ribs or shredded pork shoulder.
- Chipotle Pepper in Adobo: For a hint of smokiness and a touch of heat, chipotle peppers in adobo sauce are a secret weapon. Tip: Transfer any extra chipotle peppers from the can to a plastic bag and freeze for future use!
- Ketchup: Though not a traditional Carolina ingredient, ketchup adds depth and richness to the sauce.
- Worcestershire Sauce: This flavorful sauce contributes to the savory complexity of the mustard sauce.
- Garlic and Black Pepper: Garlic powder and black pepper provide layers of flavor and a little kick to the sauce.
Why I Love Making This Sauce
Other than the fact that you just measure out all of the ingredients and mix them in a bowl without any additional steps, I absolutely love the way this sauce tastes!
My favorite meat to serve with this sauce is my Apple Cider Brined BBQ Pulled Pork. I also love it with BBQ Pork Ribs or Roast Chicken.
- Tangy and Sweet: The combination of yellow mustard, honey, and brown sugar creates a sauce that’s both tangy and sweet.
- A Touch of Heat: With the addition of chipotle peppers in adobo and black pepper, this mustard-based BBQ sauce has a touch of heat that’s sure to please spice lovers. As with all of my recipes, you can always adjust the amount of spice added to match your preferences.
- Versatility and Customization: This mustard-based BBQ sauce isn’t just for pulled pork sandwiches; it goes well with a variety of grilled meats, from chicken and ribs to pork chops. Feel free to tweak the recipe to suit your taste. You can adjust the sweetness, heat, or smokiness to create your personal favorite.
What Does It Taste Like?
Carolina Mustard BBQ Sauce has a unique and balanced flavor profile.
It’s tangy, slightly sweet, with a touch of smokiness and heat.
Storage and Reheating
Once prepared, you can store this sauce in an airtight container for future use. It only gets better with time, allowing the flavors to meld together, which is why I often make it at least a day in advance.
Although you don’t need to cook this sauce, I often heat it gently on the stove so that it’s served warm with the grilled meat.
Any kind of BBQ side is fantastic, but I’m especially partial to Classic Potato Salad and Coleslaw with homemade Coleslaw Dressing.
If you enjoy making your own sauces, you may want to also make my Whiskey BBQ Sauce.
So, the next time you fire up the grill, consider adding a touch of Carolina gold to your favorite meats and savor the magic of homemade mustard BBQ sauce.
Pin this now to save it for later
Pin ItCarolina Mustard Barbecue Sauce Recipe
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.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, 1 tablespoon ketchup, 2 teaspoons Worchestershire sauce, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, ground black pepper to taste
- 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
Video
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
This sauce is so different than the usual barbecue sauce. It’s amazing flavor goes well with pork. I’m all in! Will be using this on chicken wings/ omelettes/ roasted veggies and who knows what else. Thank you for sharing!
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.
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!
Simply Delicious!
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!
Delicious!! I didn’t even think i liked mustard sauce! I ate it on pulled pork but plan to make more for chicken breasts.
Love Love Love This! So good on my smoked pork butt! Thank you!
Wonderful stuff. I added liquid smoke, a couple of dollops of horseradish mustard. Doubled the Lea &perrins and lots of Frank’s hot sauce.
Do you have a canning recipe for the mustard BBQ sauce?
I’ve never canned this version of sauce.
I am currently looking for just that, but it occurs to me with the amount of vinegar this easily can be canned.
Yeow! This is delicious. Perfect with chicken. I’ll be making this more often.
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.
I’m from NC,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, Raleigh/Durham area,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, “YOU” didn’t eat anything without this.. Even Scrambled eggs.