North Carolina BBQ Sauce

Prep: 5 mins

Cook: 10 mins

Difficulty: Easy

Servings: 4 Servings

When you think of barbecue sauce, you may picture a thick red sauce that’s both smoky and sweet. However, in North Carolina barbecue sauce is vinegar-based and used for mopping and topping pork barbecue. This tangy, spicy sauce is incredibly easy to make and is the ideal accompaniment at your next barbecue.

Ingredients

1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
1/4 cup ketchup (optional)
1 teaspoon hot sauce, such as Texas Pete or Crystal
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

Place 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar, 1/4 cup ketchup if using, 1 teaspoon hot sauce, 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper in a jar, liquid measuring cup, or small bowl. Cover and shake if using a jar or whisk until combined and the ketchup dissolves. Let sit at room temperature for at least 4 hours to allow the flavors to meld before serving.