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Carolina Gold Mustard Sauce

Category: Perfect Side Dishes

This vibrant South Carolina mustard-based sauce offers a delightful balance of tangy, sweet, and smoky notes. Made from yellow mustard, brown sugar, honey, and apple cider vinegar, it’s enhanced with smoked paprika, garlic, and a hint of cayenne pepper for subtle heat. Easily prepared in 20 minutes by gently simmering and mixing these pantry staples, it thickens as it cools and complements grilled chicken, pulled pork, ribs, or even sweet potato fries. Store chilled in glass to preserve freshness and depth of flavor.

The sauce’s rich heritage stems from the South’s mustard belt, giving it a distinctive golden color and complex taste. Adjust sweetness or heat easily by tweaking honey or cayenne amounts. For thicker or thinner finishes, modify simmering times. Toasting spices before mixing brightens flavors, and applying sauce near the end of cooking ensures a caramelized glaze without burning. This classic Southern condiment brings bright vibrant notes to everyday barbecue meals.

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Updated on Tue, 02 Dec 2025 23:03:00 GMT
A spoonful of honey is being poured into a jar. Pin
A spoonful of honey is being poured into a jar. | easydiyrecipes.com

Carolina Gold BBQ Sauce delivers bold tangy sweetness that stands out from ordinary barbecue toppings. Inspired by South Carolina traditions this golden mustard-based sauce is ready in just twenty minutes and boosts everything from pulled pork to grilled chicken. Whether you use it for basting dipping or marinating the complex flavors will have everyone coming back for seconds.

I first made this for a neighborhood potluck where even the so-called mustard skeptics ended up going home clamoring for the recipe. Now every cookout I host includes a jar of this vivid sauce front and center on the table.

Essential Ingredients and Selection Tips

  • Yellow mustard: Choose a classic American style for authentic tang and color
  • Brown sugar: Opt for dark brown which gives deeper molasses notes and richer flavor
  • Honey: Local raw honey adds floral sweetness and creamy texture
  • Apple cider vinegar: Pick an unfiltered bottle with the mother for robust tartness and probiotic goodness
  • Worcestershire sauce: Brings umami depth that rounds out the taste
  • Smoked paprika: Use a fresh tin to add subtle smokiness and color
  • Garlic powder: Always use a fresh bottle for zesty mellow garlic flavor
  • Onion powder: Adds gentle savory backbone—look for powder without anti-caking agents
  • Cayenne pepper: Adjust to your spice tolerance for just the right touch of gentle heat

Step-by-Step Instructions

Prepare and measure:
Measure out all the ingredients before you start so everything is ready for the saucepan
Combine ingredients:
In a medium saucepan whisk the mustard brown sugar honey apple cider vinegar Worcestershire smoked paprika garlic powder onion powder cayenne and salt until smooth and consistent
Simmer and meld:
Place the pan over medium heat and bring the mixture just to a gentle simmer not a rapid boil Watch for slow bubbles around the edges for about five to seven minutes stirring now and then to keep the sugar from burning at the bottom
Reduce and stir:
Lower heat to low and let the sauce cook uncovered for fifteen minutes stirring occasionally to develop complexity and let it thicken slightly The sauce should reduce just a bit but still pour easily
Final tasting:
Remove from heat taste the sauce and adjust with a bit more sugar honey or vinegar depending on sweetness and acidity preferences
Cool and store:
Let the sauce cool in the pot for about ten minutes before pouring into a glass jar Refrigerate and keep tightly sealed for up to one week
A jar of honey is being poured into a bowl. Pin
A jar of honey is being poured into a bowl. | easydiyrecipes.com

My favorite ingredient is the raw honey I buy from the local farmers market Its gentle floral scent and smooth body make every batch feel extra special My youngest loves swirling the sauce over grilled chicken skewers for summer picnics and that golden streak always brings a big smile to our table

How to Store and Keep It Fresh

Always store this sauce in a glass jar with a tight lid to prevent any lingering flavors from shifting the taste Plastic can sometimes react with the acid from the mustard and vinegar If you have leftover sauce you can portion it into an ice tray and freeze then pop out a cube to thaw just what you need in the future but for the best flavor use it fresh within a week

Best Ingredient Swaps

For a lower sugar sauce try using a golden calorie-free brown sugar substitute like monk fruit or allulose You can also swap out the cayenne for chipotle powder for smoky heat If you run out of honey a little maple syrup creates a different but delicious layer of sweetness

Creative Serving Ideas

Beyond pulled pork and chicken this sauce really transforms a plain grilled salmon or roasted cauliflower I also drizzle it over roasted sweet potatoes and dunk everything from fries to pretzel bites One friend even mixes a spoonful into macaroni salad for a tangy twist

A spoon is in a jar of sauce. Pin
A spoon is in a jar of sauce. | easydiyrecipes.com

A Southern Tradition

Carolina Gold BBQ sauce gets its roots from German immigrants who settled in South Carolina They crafted this distinctive mustard-based style that sets the region apart from the tomato or vinegar sauces found elsewhere My early taste of it on a smoky back road led to endless tinkering at home aiming for that just-right harmony I have never looked back

Recipe FAQs

→ What makes Carolina Gold Sauce unique?

Its mustard-based foundation sets it apart from typical tomato sauces, offering tangy, sweet, and smoky flavor layers typical of South Carolina barbecue.

→ Which foods pair best with this sauce?

The sauce complements pulled pork, grilled chicken, ribs, and also works well as a dipping sauce for fries or vegetables.

→ How long can this sauce be stored fresh?

When refrigerated in an airtight glass container, it remains fresh and flavorful for up to one week.

→ How can I adjust the heat level?

Simply increase or decrease cayenne pepper to suit your preferred spice intensity.

→ Can I use sugar alternatives in this sauce?

Yes, brown sugar can be swapped with low-sugar options like monk fruit or allulose without compromising flavor.

→ What’s the best method for thickening the sauce?

Simmering uncovered for about 20 minutes helps develop a thicker consistency while shorter cooking yields a thinner glaze.

Carolina Gold Mustard Sauce

A golden mustard sauce blending tangy, sweet, and smoky flavors, perfect for a variety of grilled meats and dips.

Prep Time
5 min
Cook Time
20 min
Total Time
25 min
By: Evelyn

Category: Side Dishes

Skill Level: Easy

Cuisine: Southern United States

Yield: 8 Servings (Approximately 350 ml of sauce)

Dietary Preferences: Vegetarian, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free

Ingredients

→ Sauce Base

01 240 ml yellow mustard
02 67 g dark brown sugar
03 30 ml raw honey
04 80 ml unfiltered apple cider vinegar
05 15 ml Worcestershire sauce

→ Spices

06 5 g kosher salt
07 1 g smoked paprika
08 1 g garlic powder
09 1 g onion powder
10 0.5 g cayenne pepper

Steps

Step 01

Combine yellow mustard, dark brown sugar, raw honey, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, kosher salt, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne pepper in a medium saucepan.

Step 02

Whisk the ingredients over medium heat until blended and begin to bubble gently around edges, approximately 5 to 7 minutes.

Step 03

Reduce heat to low and allow sauce to simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally to develop flavors and thicken.

Step 04

Remove from heat, then taste and adjust sweetness, heat, or acidity as preferred to balance the flavor.

Step 05

Let the sauce cool for 10 minutes before transferring to a sealed glass container; refrigerate and use within 7 days.

Notes

  1. The sauce will thicken upon cooling; if thinner consistency is desired, reduce simmering time to 10 minutes.
  2. Toast smoked paprika and garlic powder briefly before adding to enhance spice flavor.
  3. Add vinegar in two stages—half during cooking and half at the end—to maintain brightness.

Tools Required

  • Medium saucepan
  • Whisk
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Glass storage jar

Allergy Info

Double-check all ingredients to spot potential allergens. Consult a healthcare professional if uncertain.
  • Contains mustard; avoid if allergic.

Nutritional Information (Per Serving)

These details are for informational purposes only and shouldn’t replace professional medical advice.
  • Calories: 55
  • Fats: 0.2 g
  • Carbohydrates: 14 g
  • Proteins: 0.5 g