Copycat Trader Joe's Carolina Gold BBQ Sauce
Description
A tangy mustard-based Carolina gold BBQ sauce that tastes like the Trader Joe's original, made in one saucepan in 30 minutes. Perfect for pulled pork, chicken, and dipping.
Ingredients
- 1 cup yellow mustard
- ½ cup apple cider vinegar
- ½ cup packed brown sugar
- ¼ cup ketchup
- ¼ cup molasses, not blackstrap
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce, optional
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt, or to taste
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper, or to taste
Instructions
- Off the heat, whisk the yellow mustard and apple cider vinegar together in a medium saucepan until smooth.
- Stir in the brown sugar, ketchup, and molasses. Place over medium heat and stir until the sugar fully dissolves.
- Add the Worcestershire, smoked paprika, cayenne, garlic powder, onion powder, and hot sauce. Whisk to combine.
- Reduce the heat to low and simmer uncovered for 15–20 minutes, stirring every few minutes to prevent scorching. The sauce will reduce by about a quarter.
- Remove from the heat, season with salt and pepper, and cool to room temperature.
- Transfer to a glass jar and refrigerate at least 4 hours or overnight before serving. The sauce thickens significantly as it chills.
Equipment
- Medium Saucepan
- Whisk
- Glass jar with a non-metal lid
Notes
- The overnight rest is what makes this taste right. Don't skip it.
- Keeps 3 weeks refrigerated or 3 months frozen.
- For a sweeter sauce closer to the Trader Joe's bottle, add 2 extra tablespoons of brown sugar.
- Not tested for canning — refrigerate or freeze only.
- Use vegan Worcestershire to make this vegetarian.
Nutrition
Serving: 1ServingCalories: 119kcalCarbohydrates: 27gProtein: 2gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 0.1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.3gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0.004gSodium: 633mgPotassium: 301mgFiber: 2gSugar: 24gVitamin A: 240IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 62mgIron: 1mg