Homemade Mustard BBQ Sauce: South Carolina’s Liquid Gold

My first encounter with mustard BBQ sauce occurred ten years ago during a road trip through South Carolina. At a small roadside BBQ joint, the owner proudly served pulled pork with a golden sauce, unlike anything I’d tasted before. When I asked about this tangy yellow concoction, he smiled and said, “That’s Carolina gold, son—our German ancestors’ gift to barbecue.” That first bite changed my BBQ worldview forever. The sauce cut through the rich pork with a perfect tanginess and subtle sweetness balance that made traditional red sauces seem one-dimensional. Back home, I spent months experimenting to recreate that flavor until landing on this recipe. My secret upgrade? A splash of brandy that adds remarkable depth. When friends taste it at our cookouts, they inevitably ask for the recipe while reaching for seconds.

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Why This Recipe Works

This mustard barbecue sauce stands out from traditional tomato-based versions thanks to its complex flavor profile that balances sharpness with subtle sweetness. The Dijon mustard provides a sophisticated base that’s more nuanced than plain yellow mustard, while white balsamic vinegar adds sweetness and acidity without the heaviness of regular balsamic. Adding brandy introduces depth and complexity through its caramelized fruit notes as it reduces. The butter enriches the sauce with a silky texture and richness that helps it cling to meat, while honey tempers the tanginess without making the sauce cloyingly sweet. Together, these ingredients create a harmonious sauce that enhances rather than overwhelms the natural flavor of grilled and smoked meats.

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the South Carolina Mustard BBQ Sauce:

• Brandy – Adds complex depth and subtle caramelized sweetness
• Dijon mustard – Provides sophisticated mustard flavor and creamy texture
• White balsamic vinegar – Contributes brightness and mild sweetness. Apple cider vinegar also works well
• Honey – Balances the tang with natural sweetness
• Lemon juice – Adds fresh citrus acidity
• Butter – Creates silky texture and rich mouthfeel
• Red pepper flakes – Provide gentle heat and dimension
• Black peppercorns – Black pepper adds aromatic spiciness and complexity

How to Make Mustard BBQ Sauce

1. Reduce brandy by half in a pan over medium heat.
2. Crush the black peppercorns and add them to the pan.
3. Add the remaining ingredients to the pan.
   

   

4. Cook over medium-low heat for 30 minutes.

Storage and Reheating

• Store cooled sauce in an airtight glass container in the refrigerator for up to one month
• Never return used sauce to the storage container after basting to prevent contamination
• Always pour the amount needed into a separate dish when using
• Sauce may thicken when chilled; allow to come to room temperature before using
• If needed, gently warm over low heat to restore original consistency
• Not recommended for freezing due to potential separation of ingredients
• Flavor develops and improves after 24 hours in the refrigerator

More BBQ Sauce Recipes

• Bourbon BBQ Sauce
• Kansas City BBQ Sauce
• Sonny’s BBQ Sauce

Love homemade sauces? Try these recipes!

• Campfire Sauce
• Chick-fil-A Sauce
• Horsey Sauce
• Mexican Green Sauce
• Quesadilla Sauce
• Shrimp Cocktail Sauce
• Sweet and Sour Sauce
• Taco Sauce
• Yum Yum Sauce
• Zesty Sauce

Check out my easy sauce recipe and the best DIY recipes here on CopyKat!