Description
A tangy and spicy North Carolina BBQ Sauce recipe that balances apple cider vinegar’s sharpness with sweetness and heat. Perfect for enhancing grilled or smoked meats with its bold, vinegary flavor and a touch of spice.
Ingredients
Scale
North Carolina BBQ Sauce Ingredients
- 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 extra heat, more sugar for additional sweetness, or more vinegar for tangier flavor.
- 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
- Adjust sweetness and heat levels to your preference by varying brown sugar and hot sauce amounts.
- This sauce pairs excellently with pulled pork, grilled chicken, or ribs.
- For a smoother sauce, strain before cooling if desired.
- Use an airtight container to keep the sauce fresh up to two weeks refrigerated.
