Looking for an amazing mustard-based bbq sauce? This Carolina Gold BBQ Sauce recipe is amazing! Made with simple yellow mustard and a few other simple ingredients that you likely already have in your pantry, this Carolina gold sauce is fantastic on pork and chicken.
This recipe first appeared at My Sauce Recipes where I am a contributor.
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Looking for an awesome mustard-based bbq sauce recipe for grilling this summer? This tangy, sweet Carolina gold bbq sauce is fantastic on pork chops, pork tenderloin, grilled chicken and more.
Serve it alongside your favorite pulled chicken and pork for topping sandwiches, too!
This golden bbq sauce is a mustard-based sauce that comes together easily with items you likely already have in your pantry and fridge.
What do I need to make a Carolina Gold BBQ Sauce recipe?
- Prepared yellow mustard – we recommend the traditional prepared yellow mustard, which will create that beautiful golden sauce color. Spicy brown or grainy mustard is not ideal for this barbecue sauce recipe.
- Apple cider vinegar – apple cider vinegar is traditionally used in making bbq sauce. ACV will give your sauce that perfect tanginess.
- Honey – like many bbq sauce recipes, honey will create a complimentary sweetness.
- Molasses – we used blackstrap molasses, which can be found in the baking section of most grocery stores. The molasses will give your sauce a great depth of flavor.
- Tomato paste – even thought this is a mustard-based sauce, using a small amount of tomato paste will provide complimentary flavor and thickness to the sauce.
- Worcestershire sauce – this versatile sauce adds a great amount of complimentary flavor.
- Hot Sauce – we used Frank’s hot sauce to add some mild spiciness and zest. Feel free to use your preferred hot sauce brand.
- Liquid smoke – just a small amount of liquid smoke will add the ideal amount of smokiness to this bbq sauce recipe. You can find liquid smoke in the condiments section of your grocery store.
- Spices – ground pepper, garlic salt and garlic powder are the only spices you’ll need to add the perfect amount of flavor to this bbq sauce recipe.
For exact ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions be sure to scroll down to the bottom of the post for the recipe. Thanks!
How do I make Carolina Gold Sauce?
To a saucepan, add the mustard, vinegar, honey, molasses, tomato paste, Worcestershire, hot sauce, liquid smoke, and spices. Whisk all the ingredients together over medium-low heat.
Once the sauce comes to a low simmer, reduce the heat to low and simmer. The sauce will slightly thicken.
Remove from heat and let the sauce come to room temperature. If you are brushing the sauce on meat, make sure the sauce has cooled to room temperature.
What can I put Carolina gold sauce on?
Golden bbq sauce is perfect for pork and chicken. Brush is on grilled pork chops, pork tenderloin, and grilled chicken thighs, quarters and wings.
Gold bbq sauce is also great as a topping for pulled pork and chicken.
Ingredient Substitutions and Recommendations:
- Apple Cider Vinegar – this is definitely the preferred vinegar for making barbecue sauce, however, if you don’t have and ACV you can substitute white distilled vinegar in its place.
- Hot Sauce – we use and love Frank’s Red hot sauce, as it is very versatile with a moderate spice level. If you prefer something hotter, feel free to either add more hot sauce or used your preferred hot sauce instead of Frank’s. You can also decrease or eliminate the hot sauce completely if you want a very mild gold sauce.
- Liquid Smoke – we really love the addition of the liquid smoke to this barbecue sauce recipe, as it differentiates it from a standard honey mustard sauce. However, if you don’t prefer a smokey flavor, you can eliminate the liquid smoke or substitute with soy sauce.
What goes with Carolina Gold BBQ Sauce?
This Carolina gold bbq sauce recipe is great with any chicken or pork. Here are some of our favorite recipes that would pair perfect with this mustard-based bbq sauce:
- Sweet and Spicy Chipotle BBQ Ribs
- Apple Cider Glazed Pork Chops
- Honey Bourbon BBQ Pork Chops
- Air Fryer Boneless Chicken Thighs
- Baked Chicken Quarters
- BBQ Grilled Chicken Drumsticks
- Air Fryer Drumsticks Recipe
- BBQ Chicken Skewers
- Grilled Chicken Leg Quarters
Frequently asked questions about making Carolina Gold BBQ sauce:
Carolina gold sauce is made with a mix of yellow mustard, vinegar, honey, molasses, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, liquid smoke and spices.
The flavor of golden bbq sauce is very similar to honey mustard sauce, but with a bit more tanginess and smokiness.
Carolina gold bbq sauce is a bit different than a traditional honey bbq sauce. Golden bbq sauce is mustard based, where honey barbecue sauce is traditionally a tomato based sauce.
It is called Carolina gold due to the gold color of the sauce. The sauce is made with yellow mustard, giving it the gold color.
Carolina gold sauce is on the mild side of barbecue sauces. The sauce is mild, as its primary ingredient is yellow mustard. You can add more spice and zestiness by adding more hot sauce to the recipe.
If you loved this barbecue sauce recipe, check out our other easy homemade sauce recipes:
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Carolina Gold BBQ Sauce
Equipment
- Sauce Brush Ideal for brushing meats with your favorite bbq sauce!
- Sauce Pan This Circulon Sauce Pan comes with a straining lid!
Ingredients
- 1 ¼ cup yellow prepared mustard
- ½ cup apple cider vinegar
- ¼ cup honey
- 2 tablespoons molasses
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 teaspoons hot sauce
- 1 teaspoon liquid smoke
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon garlic salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground pepper
Instructions
- To a medium saucepan, add the mustard, vinegar, honey, molasses, tomato paste, Worcestershire, hot sauce, liquid smoke, garlic powder, garlic salt and pepper.
- Use a whisk to mix the sauce together well. Heat over medium-low heat and bring to a low simmer.
- Once the sauce begins to simmer, reduce the heat to low and simmer for 5 minutes. The sauce will thicken slightly.
- Remove from heat and let the sauce cool to room temperature. Brush on to pork or chicken during grilling or baking.
- Store any leftover sauce in an airtight container and refrigerate. Refrigerated, the sauce will keep for up to 1 month.
Notes
Nutrition
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