Description
Tangy North Carolina BBQ sauce brings southern charm to grilled meats with its zesty vinegar-based kick. Drizzled over pulled pork or used as a marinade, this classic condiment delivers authentic Carolina flavor that will make taste buds dance.
Ingredients
Scale
Primary Ingredients:
- 1 cup (237 milliliters) apple cider vinegar
- 1 cup (237 milliliters) white vinegar
Sweetening and Flavor Enhancers:
- ⅓ cup (66 grams) brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) ketchup
Seasoning and Spices:
- 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) hot sauce
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
- Gather all vinegars, brown sugar, ketchup, hot sauce, red pepper flakes, black pepper, salt, and garlic powder in a medium saucepan.
- Whisk the ingredients together until the brown sugar completely dissolves and creates a smooth, uniform liquid base.
- Position the saucepan over medium heat, stirring consistently to prevent ingredients from settling or burning at the bottom.
- Bring the sauce mixture to a gentle simmer, allowing the flavors to meld and intensify while maintaining a low, steady temperature.
- Reduce heat and let the sauce simmer for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally to ensure even heat distribution and prevent scorching.
- Remove the saucepan from heat and let the North Carolina BBQ sauce cool to room temperature, which will allow the flavors to further develop and harmonize.
- Transfer the sauce to a clean glass jar or bottle for storage, ensuring it’s tightly sealed to maintain freshness and flavor integrity.
- Refrigerate the sauce, where it can be preserved for up to two weeks, ready to enhance grilled meats, pulled pork, or as a tangy dipping condiment.
Notes
- Adjust the heat level by varying the amount of hot sauce and red pepper flakes to suit your spice tolerance.
- For a tangier sauce, increase the apple cider vinegar ratio and reduce the brown sugar slightly.
- Use this versatile sauce as a marinade for pulled pork, chicken, or as a dipping sauce for grilled meats.
- Store the sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks, allowing flavors to meld and intensify over time.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Condiments
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 43
- Sugar: 7.6 g
- Sodium: 382 mg
- Fat: 0 g
- Saturated Fat: 0 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10.8 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 0.1 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg