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Looking for a fresh new take on BBQ sauce? Look no further than my Vinegar BBQ Sauce recipe! Perfectly tangy Carolina-style BBQ is the best way to change up barbecue night, and it's ready to serve in just minutes. Try it out- you'll be hooked!
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Vinegar Based BBQ Sauce
If you've ever been to the Carolinas, you might have been treated to the incredible, unique flavor of Carolina-style BBQ! And if you haven't, you have to try it. If you're used to sticky-sweet BBQ, then get ready for tangy, intensely flavorful Carolina Sauce!
The first time I made Carolina-style BBQ for my family, they were obsessed- even my loved ones who aren't fans of the rich sweetness of classic BBQ were coming back for seconds! Slathered on ribs or coating smoked chicken, this unique tangy BBQ sauce is the key to an incredibly juicy, tender, and delicious BBQ dinner.
And it's great for even more than that, too! Designed to elevate pork, this is the ideal pulled pork vinegar sauce, perfect for serving alongside your favorite pulled pork recipe. Keep extra on hand- this crave-worthy barbecue sauce goes with everything!
Carolina Vinegar BBQ Sauce Ingredients
- Apple cider vinegar
- Brown sugar
- Ketchup
- Hot sauce
- Crushed red pepper flakes
- Garlic powder
- Black pepper
- Salt
How to Make Vinegar-Based BBQ Sauce
- Over medium heat, combine the brown sugar and vinegar in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil and stir until fully dissolved.
- Add the rest of the ingredients, stirring thoroughly, and heat back to boiling. Reduce the heat to low and let simmer for 5 minutes.
- Remove from the stove, let cool, and serve! Store leftovers in an airtight container.
Carolina BBQ Sauce Recipe Tips
- Carolina vinegar sauce is naturally very thin! It's meant to be mopped up with BBQ meat and bread, instead of sticking to the meat like a thicker BBQ sauce.
- You can make this sauce in the microwave by heating it in 30-second bursts and mixing between each one. Just make sure to use a lid so the sauce doesn't spatter!
- For a milder, less spicy sauce, use less or no crushed red pepper. The hot sauce is integral to the flavor.
- I highly suggest using this incredible sauce for pulled pork! It's also delicious on ribs, chicken, and more.
Pork BBQ Sauce FAQ
If you've tried a vinegar-heavy BBQ sauce before and weren't sure what it was, it was likely an eastern North Carolina BBQ sauce. This thin, almost hot sauce reminiscent BBQ sauce uses vinegar as a base and is considered a "mopping sauce"- that is, a sauce that you mop up off your plate with meat!
Apple cider vinegar is the best vinegar to use for BBQ. The naturally sweet and tangy flavor compliments meat and spices, especially when paired with the smoky char of barbecue!
Vinegar is naturally tangy and flavorful, which pairs well with the sweeter flavors in BBQ sauce. As well as that, it works to tenderize meat it's added to, as the vinegar breaks down tough proteins and helps the meat turn out tender and juicy!
Sauces for Pork
- Peri Peri Sauce
- Dijon Mustard Sauce
- Pineapple Sauce
- Chimichurri Sauce
- Next, try more of my Dipping Sauce Recipes!
Ready for more incredible BBQ? Try out my classic Texas-style Homemade BBQ Sauce!
Plus, try more of my Sauces for Pork Chops!
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📖 Recipe
Vinegar BBQ Sauce
Equipment
- Small sauce pan
Ingredients
- 2 cups Apple cider vinegar
- 2 Tablespoons Brown sugar
- 2 Tablespoons Ketchup
- 1 Tablespoon Hot sauce
- 1 teaspoon Crushed red pepper
- 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Black pepper
- ½ teaspoon Salt
Instructions
- Over medium heat, combine the brown sugar and vinegar in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil and stir until fully dissolved.2 cups Apple cider vinegar, 2 Tablespoons Brown sugar
- Add the rest of the ingredients, stirring thoroughly, and heat back to boiling. Reduce the heat to low and let simmer for 5 minutes.2 Tablespoons Ketchup, 1 Tablespoon Hot sauce, 1 teaspoon Crushed red pepper, 1 teaspoon Garlic powder, 1 teaspoon Black pepper, ½ teaspoon Salt
- Remove from the stove, let cool, and serve! Store leftovers in an airtight container.
Notes
- This sauce is naturally very thin! It's meant to be mopped up with BBQ meat and bread, instead of sticking to the meat like a thicker BBQ sauce.
- You can make this sauce in the microwave by heating it in 30-second bursts and mixing between each one. Just make sure to use a lid so the sauce doesn't spatter!
- For a milder, less spicy sauce, use less or no crushed red pepper. The hot sauce is integral to the flavor.
- I highly suggest using this incredible sauce for pulled pork! It's also delicious on ribs, chicken, and more.
Nutrition
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