BBQ Recipe Secrets

Piedmont Barbecue Sauce, a Carolina Treat

Looking to brew up a tasty but simple accent for your pork? Try Piedmont barbecue sauce

Saturday, June 02, 2018

One of the things I love about the art of barbecuing is its enormous diversity -- and the confection known as Piedmont barbecue sauce is a case in point.

See, it amazes me that the American branch of the cuisine is only a few hundred years old, but there are already dozens of regional varieties, based mostly on sauces. Oh, sure, some variation shows up in the types of meats and cuts used, not to mention presentation, but it’s most obvious in the sauce.

You've got KC style, Texas style, Memphis style, Alabama white sauce, Northeastern espresso sauce, and, of course, the distinctive flavor of the Carolina piedmont. Since we haven't dipped into the latter yet, let's take a look.

The Basics

Carolina-style barbecue tends toward pork (chopped, sliced, shredded, and especially pulled), often seasoned with a spicy rub. Some regions go "whole hog" (that is, they use meat from all parts of the pig), while others stick to the shoulder meat.

Sauces may also vary by region (no surprise there), but most are heavy on the tomato and vinegar. In fact, plain old ketchup is often a primary ingredient.

As a result, these sauces are fairly thin, and may not appeal to those of us more accustomed to sauces of a thicker consistency. But they're just the thing for that pulled pork, I assure you. So give 'em a try!

One Recipe

One thing I always appreciate in a sauce recipe is simplicity. A handful of ingredients, a minimum of stirring, and maybe some heating; what could be easier, except pouring it out of a bottle? And hey, if you wanted to buy a commercially prepared sauce, you wouldn't be reading this article.

Anyway, for those of us who like it simple (or are simply culinarily challenged), here's about as easy a BBQ sauce as you can create. This will make about a quart, maybe a bit more (i.e., a liter).

3 cups of apple cider vinegar
1 cup of ketchup (homemade or commercial, your choice)
1 cup of water
2 tablespoons of brown sugar
3 tablespoons of Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon of butter
2 teaspoons of salt
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes

Mix all the ingredients together in a large saucepan or suitable stock pot, then simmer, stirring occasionally, for ten minutes. Then take it off the heat, coat the meat, and you're ready to eat.

Note that if you'd like to cut down on the spiciness, you can back off the red pepper to 1/4 of a teaspoon.

In any case, this is an ideal accent for pork, because it really brings out the flavor of the meat. However, Piedmont barbecue sauce works great for chicken, too!


Heavenly Pulled Venison
The Allure of Grilled Crustaceans
The Ultimate BBQ Seafood Treat: Grilled Calamari
An Awesome Idea for Barbecued Meatloaf
Grilling the Big Birds: Barbecued Emu and Ostrich
Grilled Quesadillas: A Wonderful Treat
The Joy of Grilled Sweet Potatoes
Piedmont Barbecue Sauce, a Carolina Treat
Introducing Pumpkin-Molasses Barbecue Sauce
Two Awesome Vegan Barbecue Dishes
Tasty Korean Barbecue
Barbecued Kangaroo, Yet Another Red Meat
Delectable, Spicy Honey Barbecue Sauce
Horseradish Barbecue Sauce: All the Heat and Half the Pain
Grilled Portobello Mushrooms, Plus Dessert
Savory Barbecued Cheese
Unforgettable Apricot Barbecue Sauce
Grilled Tofu, a New Vegetarian Delight
Introducing Espresso Barbecue Sauce
My Favorite Grilled Venison Recipe
Two Grilled Desserts to Die For
Cabrito Al Pastor, a Tasty Mexican Treat
Traditional Aussie Barbecued Shrimp
Grilled Corn On The Cob: The Perfect Side Dish
Grilled Barbecued Cabbage
Let's Grill Up Some Moink Balls!
Alabama-Style White Barbecue Sauce
Man Bites Shark: A Delicious Barbecued Shark Recipe
Duck a l'Grill: Tasty Barbecued Duck Recipes
Raspberry Barbecue Sauce: Mmmmmmmm!
Barbecued Pizza: the Perfect Culinary Combination
And Now For Something Completely Different: Crockpot Barbecue
A Tasty Filipino Barbecued Pork Recipe
Lobster Barbecue, Mexican Style
You Just Can't Beat Hawaiian Barbecue!
A Low Carb Barbecue Sauce Recipe
Easy, Tasty Jamaican-style Barbecue Sauce
Pig Prep: A To-Die-For Barbecued Pork Combo
Liven Up Your Grill with Some Apple Barbecue Sauce
Chocolate Barbecue Sauce: A New Taste Sensation
The Bacon Explosion: Now That's Good Barbecue!
Want To Be A Barbeque Expert?
BBQ Favorites For A Crowd
Here's A Simple Way To Choose The Best Cuts of BBQ Meat
Are You Guilty of Any of These Seven BBQ Mistakes?
Why Some People Swear By BBQ Rubs
The Secret For Making Your Own BBQ Sauce
See How Easily You Can Learn BBQ Smoking
3 BBQ Tools You Must Have For Great Results
The Two Greatest Beef BBQ Recipes
Who Else Wants To Know the Difference Between Gas and Charcoal?
Two Fail Proof BBQ Chicken Recipes
Would You Believe You Can Cook Dessert on the BBQ?
You Don't Have To Be A Chef To Cook Ethnic Food on the Grill
Is Your Gas Grill Hot Enough?
The Secret of Shopping For and Using Gas Grills
How Long Is Long Enough?
Marinades Mean You'll Never Have To Serve Dry Meat Again
The Lazy Way To BBQ An Entire Meal
Four Simple Recipes for BBQ Pork
The Basics of Regional BBQ Cooking
BBQ Seafood Like A Native Islander
Four Sure-Fire BBQ Side Dishes
Specialty Wood: Your Secret Weapon for Flavorful Meat
What You Must Know About The Temperature of Your Grill
Why Weber Grills Are Some Fans Favorites

Subscribe Free
HOME: BBQ Recipes and Recipe Secrets
BBQ recipe secrets

Privacy Policy       Terms of Service       Contact Us