Turkey Free Eastern Carolina Vinegar BBQ Sauce
This tangy, fiery sauce is a love letter to the Carolinas — all sharp vinegar heat, slow-building spice, and just enough sweetness to keep things balanced. It's the kind of condiment that makes pulled pork, grilled chicken, or roasted vegetables taste like they came off a competition pit. Because it's built entirely from pantry staples — two types of vinegar, a trio of peppers, sugar, and salt — there's no mystery about what's in the bottle. That matters when you're navigating proteins that need to stay off the table, since store-bought BBQ sauces often sneak in unexpected meat-based ingredients or shared-facility warnings. A quick whisk over medium heat is all it takes to bring everything together, and then the pepper flakes do their magic as the sauce steeps and cools. Make a jar on Sunday and you'll be reaching for it all week long.
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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.
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