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The ingredients of Carolina-style BBQ sauce can vary depending on the recipe, but typically include: Apple cider vinegar: This is the base of the sauce and gives it its characteristic tangy flavor. Ketchup or tomato paste: This provides a sweet and slightly acidic flavor that balances the acidity of the vinegar.
Eastern North Carolina Vinegar Sauce
The spicy and acidic African flavor profile was readily adopted in eastern North Carolina. Considered the mother of all American barbecue sauces, it can be traced back several centuries in North Carolina, where whole hog ‘cue reigns supreme. Unlike many modern sauces, the eastern-style uses no tomato, relying instead on a tart combination of vinegar (usually cider vinegar) and added spices like cayenne, black pepper, crushed red pepper, hot sauce (often Texas Pete), salt, and sometimes water. Author and chronicler of North Carolina barbecue Bob Garner notes that some original recipes even utilized coastal ingredients like oysters. This thin, watery wash is used to soak pork as it cooks over the flame.
Additional Notes on American Sauces
Americas regions cultivate an evolving spectrum of sauces with smaller-but-emerging styles found throughout the 50 states. Some argue that Memphis and St. Louis represent an alternative style, similar to Kansas City but with a thinner more vinegary base. In North Carolina, scholars also contend that a third imported style riffing on thicker tomato-based sauces has taken hold in the northern regions of the state. And in Kentucky, mutton is sometimes dressed with black Worcestershire-based dip. Wherever its applied, sauce adds a signature that marks barbecue as one of the U.S.s great folk food traditions.
Rodney Scott’s Secret Eastern Carolina BBQ Sauce – Food Wishes
FAQ
What makes Carolina BBQ unique?
What is the difference between Carolina BBQ and regular BBQ?
What are the 4 styles of BBQ sauce?
What is special about South Carolina BBQ?
What makes Carolina BBQ sauce unique?
The combination of apple cider vinegar, yellow mustard, and soy sauce brings out that authentic Carolina tanginess that complements grilled meats perfectly. The addition of yellow mustard adds a unique flavor profile that sets Carolina BBQ sauce apart from other styles.
What is Eastern Carolina BBQ sauce used for?
It’s mostly used as a marinade, for basting, or a topping for meat cooked in the barbecue cooking style, mostly pork, or beef ribs, and chicken. The Eastern Carolina style BBQ sauce consists mainly of vinegar, and spices. The spice mix is usually cayenne, black pepper, crushed red pepper, hot sauce, salt, and sometimes water.
What is the difference between Carolina BBQ sauce and Texas BBQ sauce?
Carolina BBQ sauce has an apple cider vinegar base, with red pepper flakes and a few other ingredients shaken in a mason jar. The meat used is marinated in this style sauce before cooking with more added after cooking. The more traditional Texas BBQ sauce consists of tomato paste or mayonnaise, vinegar, liquid smoke, and onion powder.
What does North Carolina BBQ sauce taste like?
This North Carolina BBQ sauce is thick and tangy with subtle sweetness and a delicate smokey taste. Use this mustard and vinegar-based sauce to elevate the flavors of grilled pork and chicken while cooking, or use it as a dressing or marinade!