Lexington Style BBQ Sauce
Lexington Style BBQ Sauce is a traditional North Carolina sauce known for its tangy, vinegar based flavor balanced by ketchup, sugars, and spices. This sauce enhances smoked or pulled pork with a bold combination of sweet, sour, and spicy notes. Simple to prepare, it requires just a few ingredients simmered briefly. Its distinctive taste cuts through rich meat, making it a beloved choice in Southern barbecue cuisine.
Equipment
- Medium saucepan
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Whisk or spoon for stirring
- Storage jar or bottle (for leftovers)
Ingredients
- 2 cups apple cider vinegar
- ½ cup ketchup
- ¼ cup dark brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon sea salt
- 2 tablespoons granulated white sugar
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ½ cup water
- 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 tablespoon ground white pepper
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce Crystal or Tabasco recommended
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, mix the apple cider vinegar, ketchup, white sugar, brown sugar, sea salt, hot sauce, red pepper flakes, black pepper, water, and white pepper.
- Place the saucepan over medium heat. Stir the mixture until the sugars and salt are fully dissolved. Bring it just to a simmer do not boil.
- Let it simmer gently for about 10 minutes to blend the flavours. Stir occasionally. Remove from heat and allow the sauce to cool. Transfer to a clean jar or bottle.
Notes
This sauce is thin, spicy, and tangy perfect for pulled pork or as the Southern classic “dip”. Variations include subbing distilled vinegar, skipping apple juice, or adjusting sugar & heat. Feel free to tweak it to your taste.