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.
Gman says
Hello, I am from the Carolina Coast now living in Canada, so I bought a smoker so I could made my pulled pork and this sauce recipe is fantastic I have turn my Canadian buddies on to it and they can’t get enough! Thank you! Thank
Mike Hultquist says
That's awesome to hear! I love that you're spreading the Carolinas love for pulled pork around. It is SO GOOD! Thanks for sharing!!
Aisa says
I am from SC and OMG this recipe is ON POINT! Super easy to make and authentic to the tangy, sweet and bright mustard BBQ I grew up eating. Thank you!!!
Mike Hultquist says
Awesome to hear, Aisa! Glad you found it and enjoyed it! We LOVE this stuff. I can't get enough of it. So good!
Jenny Findell says
This is more than 1 cup. More like 2. I reduced the sugar and honey. Don't need it that sweet.
Donna A Pollock says
Great recipe. T made this using only your ingredients it is amazing. But next time I will play around with it to make it my own. I really don't know if that is possible though, your recipe is so delicious. Thank you for sharing.
Mike Hultquist says
Thanks, Donna. Enjoy the experimenting!
Steve Berry says
I made this for a group of friends having a BBQ with various smoked meats they loved it said it went well with the poultry and pork and they wanted the recipe so I passed it on
Mike Hultquist says
Great to hear! This is perfect with pork and poultry, absolutely. Glad you enjoyed it, Steve! Thanks for sharing.
Tom says
Made this on a whim to go with a sous vide pulled pork this weekend. Everyone loved it, asked me for the secret, and generally assumed I'm a culinary genius!
Mike Hultquist says
Haha, nice! Glad to help, Tom! I love to hear it. =)
Christine says
I’ve never had this type of bbq sauce but I love mustard so thought I’d give it a go and I’m so glad I did! I did cut back on the sweet stuff a little and boy does this sauce have some tang!! I’m all for it! Gonna use some on my ribs tonight, but I’m sure I’ll be using it for many many things!
Mike Hultquist says
Yes!!! Thanks, Christine. I know, this sauce is SO GOOD. We always have it on hand here. I love it.
Andrew says
What slaw recipe do you pair with this sauce and pulled pork? Vinegar or mayo based?
Mike Hultquist says
Andrew, I prefer the vinegar based, but both work for a bit of crunch! Let me know which you wind up using. Enjoy!
Geoff says
I cut the brown sugar in half and add a 1/4 of bourbon. Boom!
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Nice! Make it your own, Geoff! I love it. Thanks for sharing!
rich says
mouth watering goodness. i could drink this sauce from the bottle
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Totally! This is so good! Thanks, Rich!
Shelby says
This is our go to bbq mustard now. We’ve bought multiple grocery store brands and none of them hit as good as this sauce does. We make a double batch and always have some on hand for smothering our pulled pork or even just to dip our french fries. It’s great on everything and super easy to put together.
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
I know, right? This is so addictive! Glad you enjoyed it as much as we do, Shelby! WE love it!
Mary says
It was really good. I brined pork chops, barbecued the chops, and served the chops with this delicious sauce. Side was vegetable kabobs (peppers and mushrooms)
Thank you!
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Very nice! Thanks, Mary!
Dan Kitley says
Delicious bbq sauce! Works great with pulled pork. My daughter and I had a great time making it together.
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Awesome, Dan! Thanks. Yes, this is PERFECT for pulled pork. Definitely a favorite of ours.