By Sabine Venier
Published Jul 1, 2024
Of all the types of BBQ sauce found across the Carolinas, this Carolina gold sauce is my absolute favorite that I’ve tried! This mustard-based Carolina gold BBQ sauce is lighter and tangier than tomato-based sauces, but it still packs a punch! The combination of mustard, apple cider vinegar, sugar, and Worcestershire sauce creates a symphony of sweet, savory, and zesty flavors. I love to slather it on pork and chicken, and it’s a great dipping sauce too!
I love classic BBQ sauce , but sometimes I want something a little different. This Carolina gold BBQ sauce is the lighter, tangier cousin of heavier tomato-based BBQ sauces, and it’s sooo yummy! I love it on chicken and pork especially; its bright and tangy flavor makes everything taste better.
What’s in This Carolina Gold Sauce Recipe?
- Mustard: Yellow mustard creates the signature gold color and tangy taste. Don’t try to get fancy with brown or whole-grain mustard– trust me, classic yellow is the way to go.
- Vinegar: Apple cider vinegar adds a sweet and tangy flavor to the sauce.
- Sugar: Light brown sugar adds rich sweetness to the sauce to balance the tanginess.
- Honey: Adds a bit of floral sweetness to the sauce.
- Worcestershire Sauce: Adds rich umami flavor to the sauce.
- Spices : Garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, cayenne pepper, and paprika create a savory and spicy depth of flavor.
Tips for Success
- For a milder sauce, reduce the cayenne pepper; for a spicier sauce, add more to taste.
- The flavor will continue to develop as the sauce sits in the fridge, so I love to make it a few days ahead!
How to Store
You can store this Carolina gold sauce in an airtight container or jar in the refrigerator for up to 1 month. If you need to store it longer, consider freezing it for up to 6 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before using.
Serving Suggestions
This sweet, tangy, and slightly spicy Carolina gold BBQ sauce pairs wonderfully with grilled or smoked meats, such as pulled pork , ribs , chicken , and even burgers . It can also be used as a dipping sauce or marinade. I love to dip french fries in it– so yummy!
Ingredients1x2x3x
- ▢ 1 cup yellow mustard
- ▢ ½ cup apple cider vinegar
- ▢ ½ cup light brown sugar
- ▢ 2 tablespoons honey
- ▢ 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- ▢ 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ▢ ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ▢ ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ▢ ¼ teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
- ▢ ¼ teaspoon ground paprika
Instructions
- In a saucepan, combine the yellow mustard, apple cider vinegar, light brown sugar, honey, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, cayenne pepper, and paprika. Whisk the ingredients together until well combined. 1 cup yellow mustard, ½ cup apple cider vinegar, ½ cup light brown sugar, 2 tablespoons honey, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon onion powder, ½ teaspoon ground black pepper, ¼ teaspoon ground cayenne pepper, ¼ teaspoon ground paprika
- Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring the mixture to a simmer. Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. This will allow the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken slightly.
- Once the sauce has simmered, remove it from the heat and let it cool to room temperature.
- Transfer the sauce to an airtight container or a jar for storage.
Becky’s Tips
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
How to Make Carolina Gold Sauce Step by Step
Mix the Sauce: In a saucepan, combine 1 cup of yellow mustard, ½ cup of apple cider vinegar, ½ cup of light brown sugar, 2 tablespoons of honey, 1 tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce, 1 teaspoon of garlic powder, ½ teaspoon of onion powder, ½ teaspoon of ground black pepper, ¼ teaspoon of ground cayenne pepper, and ¼ teaspoon of ground paprika. Whisk the ingredients together until well combined.
Simmer the Sauce: Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring the mixture to a simmer. Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Once the sauce has simmered, remove it from the heat and let it cool to room temperature. Transfer the sauce to an airtight container or a jar for storage.
Saucey!
Our Fave Homemade Sauce Recipes
Fry Sauce
Homemade Salsa Verde Recipe
Homemade Chimichurri Sauce
Mustard Cream Sauce
Homemade Buffalo Sauce (How to Make Buffalo Sauce)
Carolina Gold Sauce Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup yellow mustard
- ½ cup apple cider vinegar
- ½ cup light brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
- ¼ teaspoon ground paprika
Instructions
- In a saucepan, combine the yellow mustard, apple cider vinegar, light brown sugar, honey, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, cayenne pepper, and paprika. Whisk the ingredients together until well combined. 1 cup yellow mustard, ½ cup apple cider vinegar, ½ cup light brown sugar, 2 tablespoons honey, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon onion powder, ½ teaspoon ground black pepper, ¼ teaspoon ground cayenne pepper, ¼ teaspoon ground paprika
- Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring the mixture to a simmer. Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. This will allow the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken slightly.
- Once the sauce has simmered, remove it from the heat and let it cool to room temperature.
- Transfer the sauce to an airtight container or a jar for storage.
Notes
Nutrition
By Becky Hardin
Published Jul 12, 2017
This Essential Grocery List is an absolute life saver for my family on the busy weeks. When I started this journey to learn how to cook, I quickly realized that the first step in cooking is having staple ingredients on hand. I want to avoid having to run out to the grocery store every single time I prepare a new recipe. Having a well-stocked pantry has made my life in the kitchen so much simpler, because when it’s time to cook, I have what I need.
Essential Grocery List
It’s so helpful to have a basic grocery list to help me remember which foods to buy at the store. This food shopping list is my go-to!
It’s better to stock up on things like grains, seasonings and spices, baking essentials, oils, condiments, canned and frozen foods, etc. so I can just grab them when I need them. These things have a long shelf life , so I keep them in my kitchen for convenience.
However, I do have to go to the supermarket sometimes, and there’s a way to make that trip easy and hassle-free: I keep a grocery list! If I go in blindly, I’ll leave with things I don’t need, and nothing that actually helps me prepare a good meal.
In the list below, I’ve compiled everything I always have on my stock-up grocery list.
I’ve got you covered! I created an easy grocery list filled with all of the essentials. Plus there’s a free printable version that you can take with you to the grocery store. It has everything you need to stock your pantry, your freezer, and your refrigerator.
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List
What to Buy at the Grocery Store
This is the perfect grocery list filled with all the basics and essentials. It should help get you going if you’re new to cooking, or if you’re just left staring helplessly at an empty pantry and don’t know how to fill it.
When I first started cooking, things could seem overwhelming. I quickly realized that they more prepared I could be, the more confident I felt. If you already have the basics in your kitchen, then you can shop stress-free.
So print out our easy grocery list, stock up your pantry and fridge, and you’ll be cooking in no time!
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Fresh Produce
- Apples
- Bananas
- Strawberries
- Avocados
- Bell Peppers
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Garlic
- Lemons/Limes
- Onion
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Basil
- Potatoes
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
GRAINS
- Breadcrumbs
- Pasta
- Quinoa
- Rice
- Sandwich Bread
- Tortillas
MEAT/PROTEIN
- Chicken
- Eggs
- Ground Beef
- Sliced Turkey
- Lunch Meat
DAIRY
- Butter
- Sliced Cheese
- Shredded Cheese
- Milk
- Sour Cream
- Greek Yogurt
BAKING GOODS
- Baking powder
- Baking Soda
- Granulated Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Flour
- Honey
- Vanilla Extract
- Dry Yeast
- Chocolate Chips
- Cocoa Powder
- Powdered Sugar
FREEZER
- Fruit and Berries
- Frozen Veggies (Corn, Peas, Broccoli, etc)
- Juice Concentrate
- Pizza or Other Convenience Meals
- Pie Crust
- Cookie Dough
CANNED/DRIED GOODS
- Chicken stock/broth
- Salsa
- Diced Tomatoes
- Jam/Jelly
- Peanut Butter
- Pasta Sauce
- Beans (Black Beans, Chickpeas, Baked Beans, etc)
- Soups
- Tuna
- Green Chiles
- Canned Veggies
- Coffee or Tea
Get more details on the best non-perishable and pantry foods
CONDIMENTS/SPICES
- Black Pepper
- Chili Powder
- Cinnamon
- Crushed Red Pepper
- Cumin
- Garlic Powder
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayo
- Nutmeg
- Paprika
- Salt (Course Sea Salt and Kosher Salt)
- Soy Sauce
- Steak Sauce
- Hot Sauce/ Buffalo Sauce
- Salad Dressings
OILS/VINEGARS
- Apple cider vinegar
- Balsamic vinegar
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Vegetable/Canola Oil
- Red Wine Vinegar
- White Vinegar
- Cooking Wine
- White Wine Vinegar
SNACKS
- Crackers
- Nuts
- Quick Oats
- Popcorn
- Tortilla Chips
- Cereal
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Click ☝🏻 for my FREE Grocery List Printable!
I hope this essential grocery list can help you buy what you need and make your home cooking so much easier!
Stock Your Kitchen
Find more ideas for your grocery list, stock up your kitchen, and print more cooking guides and charts to keep handy!
Non-Perishable Foods to Stock Up On
Frozen Vegetables to Stock Up On (and Recipes to Make)
Ultimate List of Cooking Herbs for Your Kitchen
Ultimate List of Cooking Spices for Your Kitchen
Cooking Oil 101: Types of Cooking Oils to Use
26 Types of Pasta and When to Use Them
What Fruits and Vegetables are in Season?
Meat Temperature Chart (Free Printable)
How to Meal Prep (Guide for Beginners)
Basic Cooking Measurements & Kitchen Conversion Chart
