Tired of barbecue that’s just… fine? This vinegar-based BBQ sauce is about to become your secret for turning “meh” into “amazing” with minimal effort and have the whole neighborhood talking.

There’s something about the punch of a vinegar based sauce that is so unexpectedly good when paired with rich barbecue, and now you can make it at home. As meat nerds it’s important to understand how the acidity cuts through and the fat and builds flavors that compliment rather then mask your meat like heavy thick sauces can. So we made a vinegar sauce and mop all in one that’s easy to whip up whether you’re tackling a pork shoulder, grilling chicken, or jazzing up shredded beef.

Hand pouring vinegar based sauce over pulled pork sandwich.

What is vinegar based bbq sauce?

When it comes to classic bbq sauces, there are several that come to mind, and all are equally polarizing when speaking to passionate grilling aficionados. Classic Kansas City-style thick and tangy sauces are made for basting ribs, mustard sauce is a true South Carolinian treasure, Alabama white is perfect for dunking ribs, and then there’s vinegar bbq sauce, a personal favorite.

Vinegar sauce is liquidy and peppery and is distinctly an eastern North Carolina style. With humble roots, Carolina is a defining region of BBQ. Cooking whole hogs dates back to the settlers and Eastern NC has been chopping and serving whole hog with their signature spicy sauce for hundreds of years.

Unlike Western North Carolina bbq sauce, which later added ketchup as a sweet thickener, or Southern, which uses yellow mustard, Eastern NC Vinegar-based bbq sauce is thin, loaded with heat, and is more universally used.

Because of the acidity and heat, it is ideal for fatty cuts of meat. We toss our pork in a little of this before reheating to moisten the meat. Let people pour on more if desired for perfect shredded pork sandwiches.

ingredients for vinegar based bbq sauce on a black background.

Vinegar BBQ Sauce Ingredients:

  • Vinegar – I use apple cider vinegar for my bbq sauce but if you find that too strong you can use a 1 to 1 apple cider and white vinegar ratio.
  • Ketchup – any ketchup will do the job.
  • Brown sugar – Use light brown sugar for this or try agave. See our notes in the recipe card for Keto ingredients and alternatives.
  • Worcestershire – coconut aminos or soy sauce work as substitutes
  • Hot sauce Or Cayenne pepper – both add a punch of heat.
  • Splash of white vinegar – just to balance things out
  • Lemon juice – the brightness offsets the vinegar a touch
  • Red pepper flakes – make sure your red pepper flakes haven’t lost their potency by sitting in the pantry for over 6 months.
  • Garlic powder – for a little added depth
  • Black pepper – yes, more pepper
  • Salt – use Kosher salt or fine sea salt to help dissolve quickly.

How to make vinegar barbecue sauce

This sauce recipe is about as easy as it gets. Simply simmer the vinegar in a saucepan over medium heat for a gentle simmer with the rest of the ingredients.

Stir until the brown sugar has dissolved and then remove from heat to cool. Once cooled, pour the liquid into a wide-mouthed mason jar and seal.

Homemade vinegar based bbq sauce is the best recipe for every bbq recipe you're making!
Simmer.

How to store Vinegar BBQ Sauce

Once cooled and sealed in air-tight containers, this sauce should be stored in the refrigerator. It will last up to one month.

Hand picking up spoon of homemade vinegar bbq sauce our of a jar behind  platter of pulled pork.

Vinegar Sauce Tips

  • Avoid a rolling boil and have a window open when making this. The smell of vinegar simmering can be pretty piquant if you’re not used to it.
  • This sauce has hot sauce, pepper flakes, and black pepper and should be spicy. But if it’s too much heat for you, tame it back a little. The real key here is the vinegar, not the extra heat.
  • This sauce is best made 24 hours before you want to use it. It does not freeze well, and we don’t recommend it.
  • Want to take this to the next level? Add in a little of the rendered juices from what you’re grilling when simmering the sauce. It adds a fatty and subtle smoked balance to this amazing recipe. However, if you do this, we only recommend storing in the fridge for up to 1 week.
Unsealed jar of vinegar sauce with spoon in it on black cloth.

Vinegar BBQ Sauce FAQs

Is vinegar based bbq sauce spicy?

Oh, you bet it is! This vinegar-based BBQ sauce is not sweet at all, and is indeed spicy. But when you use it to cut a heaping pile of pulled pork or beef brisket, the heat balances out creating an enjoyable flavor. However, if you are not a fan of heat, start with a little before dousing your sandwich in this stuff.

Is vinegar-based BBQ sauce keto?

Most sauces have a pinch of sugar in them for sweetness but see our notes for keto alternatives that we use to make this a keto-approved bbq sauce.

How to thicken vinegar-based BBQ sauce?

If you thicken this sauce, it won’t technically be an Eastern Carolina vinegar sauce, but it will still be great. Use more ketchup and a hint of tomato paste and allow it to simmer over low heat to add thickness to this sauce.

Overhead shot of jar of vinegar based bbq sauce, with another bowl of sauce along side a platter of shredded smoked pork.

How to use Vinegar Based BBQ Sauce

Because this sauce is so easy to make, I whip up a bottle once a month during the summer (grilling) months to have it ready to use.

Use it as a mop when smoking pork shoulders or butts, to moisten meat when it’s shredded and ready to serve, or as an additional sauce over pulled pork or chicken sandwiches.

Try it on:

Make sure to shake the jar or stir before using every time to redistribute the spices.

Open mason jar of vinegar based bbq sauce on black cloth with platter pf shredded pork in foreground.

More Traditional BBQ Sauces

Have you tried this recipe? Do us a favor and rate the recipe card with the  ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ and drop a comment to help out the next reader.

Homemade Vinegar-Based BBQ Sauce

4.85 from 26 votes
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 10 minutes
Resting Time: 10 minutes
Total: 25 minutes
Servings: 8
This recipe is a fundamental bbq sauce recipe begging to be used as a mop or sauce on pork, chicken, or beef.

Ingredients  

  • 2 cups Vinegar
  • 1 tbsp Ketchup
  • 1 tbsp Brown sugar
  • 1 tsp Worcestershire
  • 2 tsp Hot sauce / Cayenne
  • 1 tsp White vinegar
  • 1 tsp Lemon juice
  • 1 tsp Red pepper flakes
  • 1/2 tsp Garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp Black pepper
  • 1 tsp Salt

Instructions 

Simmer the Sauce

  • Add all of the ingredients to a saucepan over medium-low to medium heat.
  • Bring to simmer in pan, stirring until sugar is dissolved.

Chill and Store

  • Remove from heat and allow the sauce to cool.
  • When cool, pour into jars or air tight containers.
  • Store chilled for 24 hours before use for best flavor.

Video

Notes

Keto Vinegar Sauce Substitutes: We use Golden Monk Fruit Sweetener with Erythritol or Maple syrup (Choczero) as substitutes for the brown sugar in this recipe. Cooking instructions and storage stay the same. 
Technically speaking, a true eastern NC BBQ sauce doesn’t have ketchup. But, we love the depth and umami this teeny bit injects to the sauce.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 22kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 0.1g | Fat: 0.05g | Saturated Fat: 0.01g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.03g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.01g | Sodium: 350mg | Potassium: 25mg | Fiber: 0.1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 87IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 8mg | Iron: 0.2mg
Course: Sauce
Cuisine: American, barbeque
Author: Kita Roberts

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Well, Hey, Y’all.

Kita is a multi-talented individual, boasting numerous accomplishments such as being an award-winning recipe developer, world-traveled professional photographer, and journalist. As the lead creative force behind Girl Carnivoreยฎ, she is widely recognized as an authority on all things meat.

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4.85 from 26 votes (22 ratings without comment)

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Comments

  1. You say vinegar at the top and white vinegar later on. What type do you use for the 2 cups ACV? Distilled? Red wine?

    1. Hey hey Dustin, we personally love ACV but some people don’t. Use either all ACV or cut it with white vinegar. We don’t recommend red wine vinegar for this recipe.

  2. 5 stars
    The tangy flavor is such a switch up! I loved it personally. Used it on chicken for a burrito bowl and it was a great swap from our normal sweet sauce.

  3. 5 stars
    This homemade BBQ sauce is perfect for Labor day. Can’t wait to serve alongside my grilled chicken. Love the zesty flavor from the vinegar and the sweetness of the brown sugar.

  4. 5 stars
    I love this vinaigrette style sauce. Used it for a creamy avocado bacon salad and the acidity of the vinegar cut through the creaminess well.

  5. 1 star
    All I could taste was vinegar. I made it as stated but tried to save it by adding more brown sugar and ketchup. Ended up throwing it out.

    Iโ€™ve had North Carolina bbq sauce before and this is off somehow.

    1. Hey there TT, this is a vinegar-based sauce, so it will taste like vinegar with a kick. Totally get that it’s not for everyone, and appreciate you giving it a try!