Carolina Honey Mustard BBQ Sauce is a bold, tangy-sweet blend made with mustard, honey, vinegar, and spices. It’s perfect for dipping, drizzling, or brushing on grilled meats. Ready in minutes, this easy homemade sauce brings Southern flavor to any dish! 🍯🔥

Carolina Honey Mustard BBQ Sauce is the perfect blend of tangy, sweet, and smoky flavors—all in one irresistible drizzle. Inspired by Southern-style barbecue, this golden sauce pairs beautifully with grilled chicken, pulled pork, or crispy air fryer tenders.
With a base of mustard and honey, it’s bold yet balanced, adding a zesty kick to any dish. Whether you’re using it for dipping, brushing, or pouring, this homemade BBQ sauce will quickly become a staple in your kitchen.
Why You Will Love This Recipe!
1️⃣ Sweet Meets Tangy – Perfect balance of honey and mustard flavors. 🍯🥄
2️⃣ Easy to Make – Comes together in just minutes! ⏱️👩🍳
3️⃣ Versatile – Great for dipping, grilling, or drizzling. 🍗🍟
4️⃣ Customizable Heat – Add more spice or keep it mild. 🌶️⚖️
5️⃣ Better Than Store-Bought – No preservatives, just bold homemade flavor. 🛒❌
Ingredients Needed
- Yellow Mustard – Tangy base with bold, classic Southern flavor
- Honey – Adds natural sweetness and smooth, sticky texture
- Apple Cider Vinegar – Brings a sharp, tangy depth to sauce
- Brown Sugar – Enhances sweetness with rich, molasses-like notes
- Worcestershire Sauce – Adds umami and savory complexity to blend
- Hot Sauce (optional) – Adds a customizable spicy kick to taste
- Garlic Powder – Subtle savory flavor for balance and depth
- Smoked Paprika – Infuses a mild smokiness and rich color
- Salt and Pepper – Essential seasonings to round out the flavors
How To Make Carolina Honey Mustard BBQ Sauce

2️⃣ Simmer the Sauce: Transfer to a small saucepan and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Cook for 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened.
3️⃣ Cool and Store: Remove from heat and let cool. Pour into a jar or bottle and refrigerate for up to 2 weeks. Serve warm or cold!

Carolina Honey Mustard BBQ Sauce Recipe Tips
✅ Use good-quality mustard – It’s the base of the flavor, so go bold! 🟡
✅ Adjust sweetness – Add more or less honey to your taste. 🍯👅
✅ Simmer gently – Don’t boil, just warm to blend flavors. 🍲🕒
✅ Spice it up – Add hot sauce or cayenne if you like heat. 🌶️🔥
✅ Make ahead – Tastes even better after chilling overnight. ❄️👌
Storing
Store Carolina Honey Mustard BBQ Sauce in an airtight jar or container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. Let it cool completely before sealing to maintain freshness and flavor. 🍯❄️

How To Serve Carolina Honey Mustard BBQ Sauce Recipe
You can either use this sauce as a dressing or as a dip. Here are some of my favorite ways to use this homemade version of your favorite dip!
- Dip: Air Fryer French Fries, Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries, Air Fryer Onion Rings, Air Fryer Roasted Vegetables, Air Fryer Roasted Brussels Sprouts.
- Sauce For: Air Fryer Chicken Wings, Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets (From Scratch Recipe) or even use as a salad dressing. This is a creamy sauce!
Carolina Honey Mustard BBQ Sauce Recipe Faqs
❓ Can I use Dijon instead of yellow mustard? Yes! Dijon will add a sharper, slightly spicier flavor. 🟤🌶️
❓ How long does it last in the fridge? Stored in a sealed container, it lasts up to 2 weeks. 🧊⏳
❓ Is this sauce good for grilling? Absolutely—it’s perfect for basting meats or finishing on the grill. 🍗🔥
❓ Can I make it spicier? Yes! Add cayenne or your favorite hot sauce for extra heat. 🌶️💥
❓ Do I need to cook it? Simmering blends the flavors better, but it’s optional if you’re short on time. 🍯⏱️

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Carolina Honey Mustard BBQ Sauce
Description
Ingredients
- 1 cup yellow mustard
- ½ cup honey
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt, to taste
- 1 teaspoon black pepper, to taste
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce, optional, for added heat
Instructions
- Transfer to a small saucepan and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Cook for 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened.
- Remove from heat and let cool. Pour into a jar or bottle and refrigerate for up to 2 weeks. Serve warm or cold!
Equipment
- Mixing Bowl
- Whisk
Nutrition
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Monica Hylbert
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