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Carolina Gold Sauce

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Carolina Gold Sauce is a flavor-packed condiment that balances sweetness, spice, and zest perfectly. Drizzle it over chicken as a dip for fries, or slather it on burgers and sandwiches; this sauce is guaranteed to turn any dish into pure gold.

Carolina.-gold-Sauce

savor the rich, tangy, and slightly sweet flavors of the South with my South Carolina Gold BBQ Sauce! This mustard-based barbecue sauce is a true classic, known for its golden hue and irresistible balance of bold spices and zesty sweetness.

Ideas for using Carolina Gold Sauce: Chicken Lettuce Wraps, or Grilled Chicken Kabobs.

What is Carolina Gold Sauce

Carolina Gold Sauce is a tangy and slightly sweet mustard-based barbecue sauce that originates from the South, particularly South Carolina. This distinctive sauce is characterized by its yellow color, primarily due to the use of yellow mustard as its base.

Carolina-BBQ-Sauce

Ingredients for Carolina Gold Sauce

  • 1 cup yellow mustard (traditional base)
  • 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons ketchup
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
carolina-gold-sauce-over-chicken

Carolina Gold Sauce Recipe

  • Add the yellow mustard, apple cider vinegar, honey, brown sugar, and ketchup to a medium saucepan. Stir well to combine.
  • Place the pan over medium heat. Stir the mixture constantly until the sugar dissolves completely.
  • Mix in the Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne pepper. Stir thoroughly to ensure the spices are evenly distributed.
  • Allow the sauce to simmer gently for about 7-10 minutes, stirring occasionally. This helps meld the flavors together.
  • Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper or additional honey if you prefer a sweeter sauce.
  • Once the sauce thickens slightly and has a smooth consistency, remove it from the heat.
  • Transfer the sauce to a heat-proof container and allow it to cool to room temperature before using.
  • Serve as desired or store for later use. Enjoy!
  • dd-mustard-and-ketchup-to-skillet
  • Melt-down-the-mustard
  • add-spices-to-the-mustard-sauce.
carolina-bbq-sauce-on-a-spoon

Tips & Tricks

  • Mustard Matters: Use a good-quality yellow mustard for the best flavor. Avoid mustard with additives or artificial flavors for a clean, authentic taste.
  • Balancing Flavors: If the sauce tastes too tangy, add a bit more honey or brown sugar. If it needs a stronger tang, a splash of apple cider vinegar does the trick.
  • Customize Heat: The cayenne pepper brings subtle heat. For a spicier kick, increase it by 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon or add a dash of hot sauce.
  • Consistency Check: If you prefer a thicker sauce, simmer for a couple of extra minutes, stirring frequently to avoid burning.

FAQs

Absolutely! If you prefer a sweeter flavor profile, feel free to add more honey or brown sugar. Just do it gradually, tasting as you go to reach your desired level of sweetness.

If you don’t have apple cider vinegar, you can use white vinegar or lemon juice as a substitute. Keep in mind this might alter the flavor a bit.

Yes! If you like heat, you can increase the amount of cayenne pepper or add hot sauce to the mix. Start with small amounts and adjust to your taste.

Once the sauce has cooled, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for about 1 to 2 weeks.

If the sauce is thicker than you’d like, simply add a small amount of water or more apple cider vinegar and stir until you reach your desired consistency.

1. Grilled or Smoked Meats: It’s particularly fantastic on pulled pork, smoked chicken, and ribs. Brush it on as a finishing sauce or use it as a marinade before cooking.

2. Sandwiches: Spread it on sandwiches or burgers for a tangy kick. It pairs especially well with pork or chicken sandwiches.

3. Tacos and Wraps: Drizzle Carolina Gold Sauce over tacos or wraps for an extra layer of flavor, especially with grilled meats or roasted vegetables.

4. Dipping Sauce: Use it as a dip for fresh vegetables, pretzels, or even chicken nuggets. It adds a unique taste that enhances appetizers.

5. Salads: Incorporate it into salad dressings or drizzle it over leafy greens for a zesty twist.

6. Baked Beans: Mix it into baked beans for added sweetness and tang, perfect for barbecues or picnics.

7. Eggs: Try it on scrambled eggs, omelets, or breakfast burritos for a tasty breakfast addition.

8. Pizza: Use it as a base sauce or drizzle it on top of pizza for an interesting flavor combination with your favorite toppings.

9. Deviled Eggs: Add a touch to deviled egg filling for a flavor boost that will impress your guests.

10. Vegetarian Dishes: It works wonderfully as a sauce for grilled vegetables or mixed into grain bowls.

Feel free to get creative with Carolina Gold Sauce! Its unique flavor can complement many dishes, so don’t hesitate to experiment!

carolina gold sauce pin
Carolina BBQ Sauce

Carolina Gold Sauce

Yield: 1 1/2cups
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes

Carolina Gold Sauce is a flavor-packed condiment that balances sweetness, spice, and zest perfectly. Drizzle it over chicken as a dip for fries, or slather it on burgers and sandwiches; this sauce is guaranteed to turn any dish into pure gold.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup yellow mustard (traditional base)
  • 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons ketchup
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

  1. Add the yellow mustard, apple cider vinegar, honey, brown sugar, and ketchup to a medium saucepan. Stir well to combine.
  2. Place the pan over medium heat. Stir the mixture constantly until the sugar dissolves completely.
  3. Mix in the Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne pepper. Stir thoroughly to ensure the spices are evenly distributed.
  4. Allow the sauce to simmer gently for about 7-10 minutes, stirring occasionally. This helps meld the flavors together.
  5. Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper, or additional honey if you prefer a sweeter sauce.
  6. Once the sauce thickens slightly and has a smooth consistency, remove it from the heat.
  7. Transfer the sauce to a heat-proof container and allow it to cool to room temperature before using.
  8. Serve as desired or store for later use. Enjoy!
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 20 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 28Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 208mgCarbohydrates: 6gFiber: 1gSugar: 5gProtein: 1g

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© Adventures of a Nurse
Cuisine: American / Category: Appetizers

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Welcome to the place where my two passions—healthcare and culinary arts—merge. I’m Carla Bushey, and I’ve transitioned from a dedicated nursing career of over 25 years into the dynamic world of food blogging. This space is dedicated to bringing you a treasure trove of recipes, each a testament to the tastes and traditions that resonate with my soul. My home, the beautiful Upstate New York, serves as the backdrop to my culinary creations, often inspired by the rich cultural heritage and the classic Italian cuisine of my hometown, Utica. Dishes like the beloved Chicken Riggies and the comforting Utica Greens are more than just recipes—they are stories, shared from my kitchen to yours.

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