Eastern Carolina BBQ Sauce Recipe is a tangy, vinegar based sauce with red pepper flakes, black pepper, and hot sauce, perfect for pulled pork and grilled meats.
I made this recipe because I’ve had years of experience crafting it and was inspired after watching a documentary on traditional Carolina barbecue.
Seeing how it was made brought back memories. Now, I’m here to show you step by step how I make this authentic sauce that’s been part of my kitchen for a long time.
What Is Special About Eastern Carolina BBQ Sauce Recipe?
Eastern Carolina BBQ Sauce Recipe stands out because of its sharp vinegar base that creates a tangy, bright flavor unlike thicker, sweeter sauces.
It balances heat from crushed red pepper flakes and hot sauce while keeping the texture thin and runny. This unique combination enhances the natural taste of smoked or grilled pork without masking it.
The sauce’s simplicity and boldness make it a classic representation of traditional Carolina barbecue, celebrated for its ability to complement and elevate the meat.
How To Prepare Eastern Carolina BBQ Sauce Recipe?
Recipe Overview
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Course: Sauce / Condiment
Difficulty: Easy
Cuisine: Southern (American, Eastern North Carolina)
Yield: About 3 cups
Equipment Needed
- Small saucepan
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Wooden spoon or whisk
- Jar or bottle for storing sauce
Ingredients
- 2 cups apple cider vinegar
- ½ cup distilled white vinegar
- 2 tablespoons light brown sugar
- 1 to 2 tablespoons crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon coarse ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon kosher or sea salt
- 1 to 2 teaspoons hot pepper sauce
How To Make The Sauce?
1. Get Everything In The Pot
Grab a small saucepan and pour in the apple cider vinegar. If you’re using white vinegar too, add that. Toss in the brown sugar, red pepper flakes, black pepper, salt, and a few dashes of hot sauce.
2. Warm It Up
Give it all a good stir, then set the pan over medium heat. Let it warm up until it starts to gently simmer usually takes about 5 to 7 minutes. Don’t let it boil.
3. Let The Flavours Come Together
Keep stirring every now and then. You want the sugar and salt to fully dissolve, and the pepper flakes to start releasing their heat into the mix.
4. Cool It Down
Once everything’s dissolved and blended, take the pan off the heat. Let the sauce sit out until it’s cooled to room temperature. The flavor actually gets better as it cools.
5. Bottle It Up
Pour the cooled sauce into a clean jar or bottle. Seal it up and keep it in the fridge. It’ll stay good for about 3 to 4 weeks. Give it a shake before each use.
Nutrition Facts Per Serving
| Nutrition | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 15 |
| Total Fat | 0g |
| Sodium | 150mg |
| Carbohydrates | 3g |
| Sugar | 2g |
| Protein | 0g |
Eastern Carolina BBQ Sauce Recipe
This Eastern Carolina BBQ Sauce Recipe is all about bold, tangy flavor rooted in tradition. Made primarily from vinegar, it’s thinner than most BBQ sauces but packs a punch with its sharp acidity, red pepper heat, and a touch of sweetness.
The main speciality of this sauce is how it cuts through rich, smoky meats like pulled pork, enhancing the flavor without overpowering it.
Its simplicity highlights the essence of Carolina barbecue uncomplicated, flavourful, and made to let the meat shine through.
Serving Suggestions
1. Drizzle Eastern Carolina BBQ Sauce over pulled pork sandwiches for authentic tangy flavor.
2. Use as a dipping sauce for crispy fried chicken or chicken tenders.
3. Brush onto grilled shrimp to create a spicy, tangy glaze.
4. Toss roasted vegetables in the sauce to add a flavourful kick.
5. Marinate pork shoulder in the sauce before slow cooking for deeper taste.
Secrets To Perfect Eastern Carolina BBQ Sauce Recipe
➢ Using a blend of apple cider vinegar and a touch of white vinegar creates the ideal balance of tanginess.
➢ Adding just the right amount of crushed red pepper flakes ensures a nice kick without overpowering the sauce.
➢ Light brown sugar softens the sharp vinegar taste while enhancing overall flavor complexity.
➢ Allowing the sauce to rest for several hours lets the flavours fully meld and deepen.
➢ Heating the sauce gently helps dissolve the sugar and blend spices without losing brightness or freshness.
Healthy Nutrition Benefits
Eastern Carolina BBQ Sauce Recipe is low in calories, helping to keep meals light and healthy. The vinegar supports digestion and helps balance blood sugar levels.
Red pepper flakes provide a boost of metabolism and contain antioxidants. Using minimal sugar reduces added sugars compared to many other sauces.
The Eastern Carolina BBQ Sauce Recipe contains no fats, making it a heart friendly option for flavourful meals.
How Do You Preserve Eastern Carolina BBQ Sauce Recipe?
Store Eastern Carolina BBQ Sauce Recipe in a sealed glass jar or bottle and place it in the refrigerator. Keeping it cold helps maintain its fresh taste and prevents spoilage.
Stir or shake the sauce well before using to mix any settled spices. This way, the sauce stays flavourful and lasts for a few weeks.
Avoid exposure to heat or direct sunlight to preserve its quality and sharp tangy flavor over time.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Makes Eastern Carolina BBQ Sauce Different From Other BBQ Sauces?
It’s a vinegar based sauce with a thin consistency and tangy, spicy flavor, unlike thicker, sweeter sauces.
Can I Adjust The Heat Level In This Sauce?
Yes, you can increase or decrease the crushed red pepper flakes and hot sauce to suit your taste.
Can I Use This Sauce On Meats Other Than Pork?
Yes, it works well on chicken, beef, or even as a salad dressing.
Is Sugar Necessary In This Recipe?
Sugar is optional and helps balance acidity, but the sauce still tastes great without it.
Should The Sauce Be Cooked?
The sauce is gently heated to blend flavours but not boiled to keep the vinegar’s sharpness intact.
Conclusion
I’m so glad you enjoyed this easy and delicious Eastern Carolina BBQ Sauce Recipe! It’s a simple, flavourful sauce that brings authentic tangy, spicy goodness to any BBQ dish.
I hope this recipe inspires you to try making it yourself soon. Once you do, please let me know how delicious it turned out I’m excited to hear about your tasty success and any creative ways you use it!
More BBQ Sauce Recipes You’ll Love
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Wojapi BBQ Sauce Recipe || Best Here
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Eastern Carolina BBQ Sauce Recipe
Equipment
- Small saucepan
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Wooden spoon or whisk
- Jar or bottle for storing sauce
Ingredients
- 2 cups apple cider vinegar
- ½ cup distilled white vinegar
- 2 tablespoons light brown sugar
- 1 to 2 tablespoons crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon coarse ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon kosher or sea salt
- 1 to 2 teaspoons hot pepper sauce
Instructions
Get Everything In The Pot
- Grab a small saucepan and pour in the apple cider vinegar. If you’re using white vinegar too, add that. Toss in the brown sugar, red pepper flakes, black pepper, salt, and a few dashes of hot sauce.
Warm It Up
- Give it all a good stir, then set the pan over medium heat. Let it warm up until it starts to gently simmer usually takes about 5 to 7 minutes. Don’t let it boil.
Let The Flavours Come Together
- Keep stirring every now and then. You want the sugar and salt to fully dissolve, and the pepper flakes to start releasing their heat into the mix.
Cool It Down
- Once everything’s dissolved and blended, take the pan off the heat. Let the sauce sit out until it’s cooled to room temperature. The flavor actually gets better as it cools.
Bottle It Up
- Pour the cooled sauce into a clean jar or bottle. Seal it up and keep it in the fridge. It’ll stay good for about 3 to 4 weeks. Give it a shake before each use.
Notes
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 15 | Total Fat: 0g | Sodium: 150mg | Carbohydrates: 3g | Sugar: 2g | Protein: 0g“Hi, I’m Samia, a passionate recipe creator with 5 years of experience in crafting delicious, unique dishes. My love for cooking has led me to explore a variety of cuisines, combining flavors to create memorable meals for every occasion. Whether it’s a simple weeknight dinner or an elaborate feast, I believe in making every dish special. Join me on my culinary journey as I share easy-to-follow recipes and tips that will inspire your cooking and bring joy to your kitchen!”