Description
This North Carolina BBQ Sauce is a vinegar-based sauce with a perfect balance of tang, heat, and sweetness. It’s the ideal accompaniment for pulled pork, ribs, or even grilled chicken. Simple to make, and packed with bold flavors!
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 1/2 cups apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 tbsp brown sugar (adjust based on desired sweetness)
- 1 tbsp ketchup
- 1 tsp hot sauce (adjust to taste for spiciness)
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for extra heat)
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp onion powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Combine Ingredients:
- In a medium saucepan, combine the apple cider vinegar, water, brown sugar, ketchup, hot sauce, Worcestershire sauce, red pepper flakes (if using), garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper.
- Simmer the Sauce:
- Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally to dissolve the sugar. Once it boils, reduce the heat and let it simmer for 5-10 minutes. Stir occasionally and allow the sauce to thicken slightly.
- Taste and Adjust:
- Taste the sauce and adjust the seasonings as needed. Add more hot sauce or red pepper flakes for heat, more sugar for sweetness, or more vinegar for tang.
- Cool and Serve:
- Once the sauce has simmered and thickened slightly, remove it from the heat. Let it cool to room temperature before serving with your BBQ dishes.
- Store:
- Store any leftover sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
Notes
- For an even spicier version, add more hot sauce or even some cayenne pepper to give it a real kick!
- This sauce is especially great on pulled pork, but also works well with chicken, ribs, or even as a dipping sauce for fries.
- The flavor will continue to develop the longer it sits, so making it ahead of time is ideal if possible.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Sauces, Condiments,
- Method: Simmering, Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 tbsp
- Calories: 20
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 120mg
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 5g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0g