Get your smokers and grills ready for summer with this classic Carolina mustard bbq sauce recipe from South Carolina. It goes perfectly with pork or grilled chicken.
Carolina Mustard BBQ Sauce Recipe (Carolina Gold)
South Carolina has a rich and proud history in barbecue. Growing up, I only knew of tomato-based barbecue sauces. Sadly, they were all I'd ever been introduced to.
Little did I know there were so many other types of barbecue sauces out there, and a practically infinite variation of them, but each with their own unique base. This mustard-based barbecue sauce is one of them.
Mustard, you say? In barbecue sauce?
Absolutely. If you've never encountered a barbecue sauce recipe made with mustard, you're in for a taste bud awakening because it is truly a revelation.
Behold - Carolina Gold BBQ Sauce.
A History of Carolina Mustard BBQ Sauce
Mustard-based bbq sauce is tied back to the Germans who populated South Carolina in the 1700s.
Germans are fond of their mustards, which accounts for its early introduction, but its overall flavor is the reason for its enduring popularity. I've seen many variations of this sauce, with a smattering of other ingredients included.
This is the version I personally enjoy at home. It pairs ideally with pork - think ribs, pork chops, pork shoulder that's been smoked to tender perfection.
You'll find it all over South Carolina, though it has found its way up through North Carolina as well, and is offered along with other barbecue sauces at many BBQ restaurants.
North Carolina is known more for their ketchup based bbq sauces with molasses and brown sugar and their vinegar based sauces as well, but they've made plenty of room for this mustard bbq sauce, which is also known as Carolina Gold Barbecue Sauce.
It's great stuff, my friends!
It's also incredibly easy to make. First off, you only want to use yellow mustard. No brown mustard here, my friends. You MUST go with the classic recipes. Trust them in the south. They know what they're doing.
Toss in your ingredients and whisk away. A little bit of heating and you have a sauce ready to go. I like to make mine a day ahead to allow the flavors to mingle a bit. The choice is yours.
What Does Carolina Mustard BBQ Sauce Taste Like?
This mustard bbq sauce is a wonderful mix of sweet and tangy and spicy. You get a double whammy of tang from the mix of apple cider vinegar along with yellow mustard, which has a respectable level of tang on its own.
You'll find a wonderful sweetness from the brown sugar and honey, a welcomed savory taste from the seasonings, as well as enticing spicy notes from the cayenne.
If you'd like to up that overall heat factor, you can easily include extra cayenne pepper in the mix, or introduce some spicy chili flakes.
If you'd prefer a no-heat version, simply omit the cayenne and focus on the other ingredients.
Let's talk about how to make mustard bbq sauce, shall we?
South Carolina Mustard BBQ Sauce Ingredients (Carolina Gold)
- Mustard. Use ¾ cup yellow mustard. Yellow mustard is standard and preferred, though you can use others if you'd like.
- Sweet Factor. I use both ½ cup honey and ¼ cup brown sugar. Adjust to your own preference.
- Vinegar. Use ½ cup apple cider vinegar, though you can use other vinegar. Apple cider vinegar has a nice sweetness and tang.
- Ketchup. 2 tablespoons ketchup, or more to preference.
- Worcestershire Sauce. Use 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- Seasonings. I use 1 teaspoon garlic powder, a pinch or more of cayenne (usually more for me) and ½ teaspoon salt. If cayenne is too spicy, use paprika.
- Hot Sauce. I like to add in a few dashes of hot sauce, though this is completely optional.
How to Make Carolina Gold BBQ Sauce - the Recipe Method
Gather Ingredients. First, add the following together in a mixing bowl: yellow mustard, honey, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, cayenne, salt and hot sauce.
Whisk. Whisk everything together until very smooth.
Simmer. Next, add to a small pot and simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from heat and let it cool.
Refrigerate. Pour into a jar and cover. Refrigerate at least one day to let the flavors mingle.
Serve. To serve, warm it up in a small pot and get eating! Or enjoy it straight out of the refrigerator! So good.
Time to get the smokers and grills going. Here's another barbecue sauce to add to your arsenal. Enjoy!
What to Serve with Carolina Mustard BBQ Sauce
Carolina Mustard BBQ Sauce is particular delicious when served with pulled pork on a bun, topped with crunchy coleslaw. It is also wonderful spooned over grilled pork chops or grilled chicken.
I've also enjoyed it over smoked pork ribs, where the tanginess really shines.
Still, personally, there's nothing better than smoking up a couple pork butts until they're pull apart tender, then smothering the meat with this outstanding bbq sauce.
So flavorful and infinitely enjoyable. I love to eat pulled pork.
Try Some of My Other Popular BBQ Sauce Recipes
Best Mustard BBQ Sauce Recipe - Ever!
I love this sauce! Such a great recipe. So tangy, wonderfully sweet, just a touch spicy. If you enjoy this recipe, I hope you'll leave a comment with some STARS. Also, please share it on social media. Don't forget to tag us at #ChiliPepperMadness. I'll be sure to share! Thanks! -- Mike H.
Carolina Mustard BBQ Sauce Recipe (Carolina Gold)
Ingredients
- ¾ cup yellow mustard
- ½ cup honey
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Pinch or more of cayenne
- ½ teaspoon salt
- Dash of hot sauce
Instructions
- Whisk all of the ingredients together in a large bowl.
- Add to a small pot and simmer for 10 minutes. Cool.
- Pour into a jar and cover. Refrigerate at least one day to let the flavors mingle.
- To serve, warm it up in a small pot and get eating!
Video
Notes
Nutrition Information
This recipe was updated on 6/9/23 to include new information, video and photos. It was originally published on Jun 15, 2016.
Steve says
Approximately how long would this sauce last in the fridge before having discard? Thank you.
Mike Hultquist says
Steve, this lasts several weeks (often months), as it's made pretty much from condiments. Keep in an airtight container.
Chloe says
Amazing. I made this to throw over some chicken thighs in the crockpot, and while I was nervous because of the strong vinegar smell at the start of cooking, everything turned out delicious. The sauce is balanced, tangy, flavorful, with a touch of sweet. I did add 1 tsp of liquid smoke since I wasn't smoking (winter) but you really don't need it.
Mike Hultquist says
Nice! Great way to enjoy it, Chloe. I love it. I'll have to try the liquid smoke, too!
Jose’ says
Excellent recipe! I have altered it a bit by using about 1/2 cup of bread and butter pickles and about 3cloves of garlic blended until a liquid with and mixed in with the mustard, catsup,and Worcestershire sauce. I also added a teaspoon of smoked paprika, and 1 teaspoon of chipotle powder and 1teaspoon of onion powder. 1/4 cup of herdes chiliVerde street taco sauce. I leave out the vinegar because of the bread and butter pickles. Bomb
Mike Hultquist says
Boom! I love it!! Glad you enjoyed it, Jose!
James T says
Great recipe, easy to make with on hand ingredients, tastes better than most mustard sauces I can buy at the store. For the pepper powders I used a mix of cayenne for heat and chipotle powder for smokiness. I also added a quarter teaspoon of liquid smoke to get a more pronounced smokiness. Wife and I love the taste of this of sauce and have used it on chicken and pork with success.
Mike H. says
Love the addition, James. Thank you for the review and enjoy!
Lynn says
If you're missing a certain defunct restaurant's salad dressing "Honey Mustard salad dressing", mix mayo, pinch of sugar, paprika and carolina gold to make the perfect dip or dressing. I make my own bbq sauce to use with pork, chicken and aa salad dressing. It's great!
Mike Hultquist says
Sounds wonderful to me! Thanks, Lynn!
Lynley says
Simply perfect! My search for an authentic Carolina mustard sauce is over! Made exactly to the recipe. This one is a KEEPER!!!
Mike Hultquist says
Boom!! Thanks, Lynley.
Mark says
This was ridiculously good. It punches you in the nose when you pull it off the heat, but has just the right amount of zingy goodness once it sets. We are mustard fanatics and will probably always have a jar of this on hand now. Used it to glaze back ribs last night, as well as for dipping. Thanks so much Mike!
Mike Hultquist says
I love to hear it, Mark! Great way to enjoy it. Thanks for sharing!!
Dave Koch says
Easy and delicious!
Mike H. says
Thanks, Dave!
BBQ Girl says
Fabulous recipe. Made it exactly as stated. Thank you!
Mike H. says
You are very welcome!!
Paul:-) says
Hi Mike & Patty,
Another one of your recipes on my ‘to do’ list…it keeps growing lol.
One question though. Our English Mustard, no matter which brand is always bright yellow due to the addition of Turmeric but I am aware of, what is sold over here in Britain as ‘American Mustard’ which is also yellow. It’s usually found at Hot Dog and Burger vans. I don’t know how authentic this is but it is significantly milder than English Mustard, particularly our most popular brand ‘Colman’s’. Is the Mustard you use a very hot type? If not, do you think this recipe would work with a very hot mustard?
Paul:-)
Mike Hultquist says
Paul, this recipe will work with any mustard, but the results will certainly depend on which you choose. The stuff I use here in the U.S. is typical yellow mustard, which is very commonly found, served on hot dogs, burgers, etc. Yep, sounds like the one you mention. It's not hot at all, though yes, it can work with others. Definitely worth experimenting with. This is a taste of the American south.
rick bear says
great, many thanks.
Mike Hultquist says
Thanks, Rick!
Edward Gordon says
I’ve made it with the hotter mustards- great on wings and drumsticks
Mike Hultquist says
Boom! Thanks, Edward!