Homemade Carolina Mustard Sauce is vibrant and deeply flavorful, combining tangy mustard with hints of sweetness and spice for a truly unique taste experience. It pairs exceptionally well with grilled or smoked meats, making it the perfect complement to dishes like Smoked Pork Brisket or Classic Pulled Pork.
🌶️ The Ingredients
The ingredients for this sauce may not be exotic, but they harmoniously blend to create an amazing sauce that elevates many grilled meats and sandwiches with its bold and zesty flavor. Find ingredient notes (including substitutions and variations) below.
🥫 Substitutions and Variations
- Mustard - Yellow mustard delivers the classic flavor. However, for added depth of flavor, you can use a combination of Dijon, brown, or whole grain mustard.
- Ketchup - Tomato sauce or tomato paste can be substituted for the ketchup.
- Vinegar - This is a key ingredient for most Carolina sauces and mops. You can also use white wine vinegar or distilled white vinegar with a splash of lemon juice.
- Sugar - We recommend granulated white sugar. However, brown sugar (light or dark) will give excellent flavor, too. Honey can be substituted, too.
See the recipe card (with video) below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.
Expert Tip
For a smooth and silky sauce, we grind all of the dry ingredients in a spice grinder before mixing them in with the other ingredients. This is optional, but we love the smooth texture of the sauce it creates.
🌭 How To Store and Serve
- This sauce gets even better after it chills for a day or two.
- Be sure to place it in a jar or container with a tight-fitting lid and chill in the fridge until ready to use.
- We recommend serving the sauce at room temperature or warm. Let it sit out on the counter for a couple of hours, and be sure to give it a good stirring before serving.
- This sauce is amazing on grilled meats, including hot dogs, bratwurst sliders, the best grilled chicken, and smoked pork brisket.
🙋🏽♂️ Frequently Asked Questions
It will stay good in a jar with a lid in the fridge for 2 to 3 weeks.
No. It has a punch of flavor from the vinegar, mustard, and a tiny bit of heat from the hot sauce. Add additional hot sauce for increased heat.
It's similar to regular BBQ sauce, but has more of a vinegar flavor profile, and mustard is the base ingredient, as opposed to ketchup. It's amazing!
😋 Other Classic BBQ Condiment Recipes
Ready to take your BBQ to the next level with an amazing sauce? Go for it!
And when you do, be sure to take a photo of it, post it on Instagram, and tag @HowToFeedaLoon and hashtag #HowToFeedaLoon!
Carolina Mustard Sauce
Carolina mustard sauce is a tangy and flavorful condiment that hails from the southern United States, particularly the Carolinas. Made primarily from yellow mustard, apple cider vinegar, and a blend of spices, this sauce offers a delightful balance of sweetness and acidity, making it a perfect accompaniment for grilled or smoked meats, especially pork. Its vibrant yellow color and zesty taste add a unique twist to classic barbecue dishes, enhancing the flavor profile of any meal. It keeps in the fridge for up to 3 weeks!
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