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This is the best BBQ sauce for pulled pork, hands down! Eastern North Carolina BBQ sauce will elevate your pulled pork to a whole new level.
One of the best things about this sauce is that it’s easy to make, and basically foolproof. If your measurements happen to be a little off from time to time this Eastern North Carolina BBQ sauce can be very forgiving.
You will need to put in a medium sauce pan the apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, black pepper, red pepper flakes, ketchup, mustard, hot sauce, and cayenne pepper.
Bring the pot to a simmer to warm the ingredients so they combine fully then turn off to let cool before using immediately or storing in a container. Can be refrigerated and stored for up to two months.
When I make Eastern North Carolina BBQ sauce I usually make at least a half gallon so I have plenty on hand when I need it throughout BBQ season!
Eastern North Carolina BBQ Sauce
Ingredients
- 2 cups apple cider vinegar
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 2 tbsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp hot red pepper flakes
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1/3 cup ketchup
- 1/3 cup mustard
- 1 tbsp hot sauce
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients into a medium saucepan, and heat to simmer. Once all ingredients are incorporated turn heat off, and cool. Use immediately or store in an airtight container.
Notes
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I’m the writer, photographer, recipe developer, and one of the many taste tester’s at Monday is Meatloaf. I live in a sleepy Florida town on the out-skirts of the Tampa Bay metro area. Growing up I got the opportunity to see a lot of great family cooks in action, but I didn’t delve into the culinary world until later. My blog focuses on simple cooking techniques that maximize flavor across a variety of cooking disciplines that are totally do-able for the home cook.
THat’s so cool you make this a half gallon at a time. I had no idea that these vinegar style BBQ sauces didn’t include salt. I guess that makes sense though if the meat itself is salted. Good to know!
We love to keep it healthy and low-sodium at our house! Thanks so much!
I LOVE pulled pork, and enjoy trying new sauces. This sounds like it will be delicious!!
Thanks! You’ll really love it!
As a child of the South, I LOVE ME SOME BARBECUE. The thing I like about North Carolina style is the vinegary sauce – not sicky sweet like so many other versions. This sounds perfect for a pulled pork sandwich.
It makes an out of this pulled pork sandwich! I can’t get enough of it myself!
I love BBQ sauce and always use the store-bought kind. Never knew how easy it is to make it at home, so I’ll have to try this soon! Thank you fro a great recipe ♥
You are so welcome! I hope you enjoy it!
I love vinegar based sauces for any type of pork that I cook. Will be whipping up a big batch of this next time I make ribs. Delicious!
Awesome! Vinegar-based sauces are my favorite too!