Carolina Style BBQ Sauce

Carolina Style BBQ Sauce

A tangy, vinegar-based Carolina-style BBQ sauce with a little sweetness, a little heat, and a simple butter finish. This is the kind of sauce that sits in a squeeze bottle on the table at a good BBQ joint. Keep it thin so it runs into the meat and mixes with the juices.

Directions

1. Add everything except the butter to a small, heavy-bottomed saucepan and stir well to combine.
2. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook 10 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until reduced by about 20 percent and the flavors come together.
3. Keep it thin and pourable. Don’t cook it down into a thick glaze.
4. Lower the heat or pull the pan off the heat and stir in the butter until melted.
5. Taste for balance of tang, sweetness, and heat. Spoon or mop over grilled chicken, sliced meat, or pulled pork.

Make It Your Own

• Sweetener: Swap honey or brown sugar for the maple syrup.
• Mustard: Yellow mustard works in place of Dijon.
• More heat: Add cayenne or chopped fresh chilies (jalapeo or Thai) with the spices.
• Tomato: Tomato paste can replace the ketchup, but taste and adjust since it is less sweet.

Recipe from Andrew Gruel, American Gravy.