Rice Free Eastern Carolina Vinegar BBQ Sauce
Tangy, fiery, and deeply rooted in tradition, this Eastern Carolina-style vinegar sauce is the kind of condiment that makes a whole spread come alive. A double hit of apple cider and white vinegar forms the sharp, bright backbone, while red pepper flakes, cayenne, and black pepper build a slow, satisfying heat. The beauty of this sauce is in its simplicity — every ingredient pulls its weight, and there's nothing hiding in the bottle that shouldn't be there. For anyone navigating grain-free eating, store-bought BBQ sauces can be a minefield of unexpected thickeners and fillers, but this one is naturally free of all that by design. There's no starch, no filler, just pure vinegar-forward flavor the way the Carolinas intended. A quick simmer on the stove lets the sugar and salt dissolve completely, and then the pepper flakes steep as the sauce cools, deepening the complexity without any extra effort. Make a jar on Sunday and you'll be reaching for it all week long.
About FigFig is a food discovery app that helps you find foods and recipes that fit your dietary needs. Whether you have food allergies, intolerances, or follow a specific diet, Fig makes it easy to eat with confidence.
Learn more →Ingredients
8 servings
- 1 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 cup white vinegar
- 1 tbsp red pepper flakes
- 1 tsp black pepper, freshly ground
- 1 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1 tbsp granulated sugar
- 1 tsp kosher salt
Instructions
- 1
Combine the apple cider vinegar, white vinegar, red pepper flakes, black pepper, cayenne, sugar, and salt in a small saucepan over medium heat, whisking until the sugar and salt are fully dissolved, about 3–4 minutes.
- 2
Remove from the heat and let the sauce cool to room temperature, about 30 minutes, so the pepper flakes steep and the flavors meld.
Want the full recipe?
Create a Fig account for step-by-step instructions, access to our full recipe library, and more!