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.
This Recipe Is In our Cookbook - FLAVOR MADNESS
Did you know that you can find this recipe in our new cookbook FLAVOR MADNESS? It's waiting for you on PAGE 76.
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 2/23/26 to include new information and review video and photos.
Richard Seaton, Jr says
Excellent sauce as a mop on shoulder. I used only brown sugar, no honey and Marie Sharps Garlic Habanero for the cayenne and hot sauce. Fabulous.
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Sounds great, Richard!
Pat says
Sounds delicious. Can this be canned?
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Thanks, Pat. Yes, this can be canned. I would use a simple water bath method for long term preserving. Enjoy.
Tanya says
I made this today and I absolutely love it. How long will it keep in the fridge?
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Great, Tanya! Glad you love it. It will last quite a long time, as it's mostly mustard and vinegar, seasonings and condiments. Many, many months. Enjoy!
Mary cardi says
Can this be used as a marinade for chicken?
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Mary, sure, you can use this as a marinade. It would add a lot of flavor. Let me know how you enjoy it.
Dorothy Bevill says
Sounds about right. You do need to check out Eastern NC bbq sauce; you’ve offended a big portion of the state. I never learned to appreciate it; too much S.C. in me!
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Thanks, Dorothy. I do LOVE the BBQ sauce offerings in NC for sure. Considering that I now live here in NC, I'll be happily getting my fill! Love it.
Robin says
Seriously, I never say things like this but when I tasted this, all I could say to my husband was "Slap your mama". The best mustard bbq sauce I've had and also use ut as a salad dressing and dipping sauce.
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
That's awesome! Yes! We REALLY love this BBQ Sauce. So unique, and SO GOOD!
Jeni says
I was making Cuban quesadillas for dinner and wanted BBQ like my favorite restaurant uses for them, not just plain yellow. This was delicious! It kicked the quesadillas to a whole other level of awesomeness! Thanks for a great recipe!
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Awesome! Glad you enjoyed it, Jeni! I do appreciate it!
Tawnya says
So happy to find this recipe!! It's going to be in my fridge always! So easy to make!
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Thanks Tawnya! Glad you love it! It's one of our favorites as well.
WelshBird says
What is the shelf life once made up? Looking to make it to take on a week's long camping trip in the summer
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
WelshBird, if you store it properly in the refrigerator, it should last a good 6 months for you.
Julia says
I needed a mustard bbq sauce for a recipe, and was so glad to find this because I had everything on hand. And it's so delicious! I am going to make it and have it on hand all the time. Tonight its going on a chicken dish, can't wait to try it on pork chops! Thanks for sharing!
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
That's great, Julia. Yes, I LOVE this mustard bbq sauce recipe as well. Outstanding on chicken and pork chops for sure!
Carole Bara says
I made this today for our Thanksgiving dinner (we have Thanksgiving in a October in Canada) to go with our ham..... amazing! Everyone raved about it! Thanks for a fantastic recipe!
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
That's great, Carole! Glad you enjoyed it! Happy Thanksgiving!
Alexis jay says
Im from jville Florida but i live in Phoenix Az and this is the closest to Jenkins bbg sauce lve made this sauce alot.my neice and nephews wont eat anything else on their pig ribs..lol my sister puts it on her rice..needless to say we love this sauce
REPLY: Great to hear, Alexis! Thanks for sharing! -- Mike from Chili Pepper Madness.
theresa says
have you ever canned this? How hot have you made it?
REPLY: Theresa, no, I have not canned it though you can can mustard. It normally isn't very hot, but you can easily heat this up with extra hot peppers. -- Mike from Chili Pepper Madness.