Food and Recipes Side Dishes Sauces and Condiments South Carolina Mustard BBQ Sauce 5.0 (6) 5 Reviews Tangy and sweet, this mustard BBQ sauce is one of our favorites. By Robert F. Moss Robert F. Moss Robert F. Moss writes about food, drink, and travel. Based in Charleston, South Carolina, he is the Contributing Barbecue Editor for Southern Living and the author of five books on food culture and culinary history. Connect with him on Instagram and Twitter, as well as at robertfmoss.com. Southern Living's editorial guidelines Updated on July 22, 2024 Recipe tested by Southern Living Test Kitchen Recipe tested by Southern Living Test Kitchen The Southern Living Test Kitchen has been publishing recipes since 1970, four years after the first issue of Southern Living Magazine appeared on newsstands. The Southern Living Test Kitchen team includes a team of professionals with deep expertise in recipe development, from pastry chefs and grilling experts to nutritionists and dietitians. Together, the team tests and retests, produces, styles, and photographs thousands of recipes each year in the state-of-the-art test kitchen facility located in Birmingham, Alabama. Learn more about the Southern Living Test Kitchen Rate PRINT Share Close Photo: Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Torie Cox Active Time: 10 mins Cool Time: 30 mins Total Time: 40 mins Yield: 3 1/2 cups In the South, we sure do know our barbecue. Each year, we ask our readers to help us rank the South's Best BBQ Joints, and the list is bound to elicit some fiery debate. How is one supposed to rank smoked chicken smothered in vinegary white sauce against Central Texas brisket? Our studies in Southern barbecue have proven that this revered culinary landscape is far from a monolith—each Southern region, state, and even city has its own unique expression of barbecue. And more often than not, the secret is in the sauce. We sought out to devise a South Carolina Mustard BBQ Sauce that pays tribute to the rich history of South Carolina and its Gullah culture. When looking for inspiration to develop our own version of this iconic sauce, we turned to Lillie's of Charleston, a family business that gained a cult following for its mustard-based BBQ sauce. "The mild Finger Leek-en and the hot Hab Mussy versions are named in tribute to Gullah culture," writes Robert Moss. "The mustard base is their father's recipe." You can order your very own Lillie's BBQ sauce online, or recreate this South Carolina classic at home with a little help from our Test Kitchen. Our version of South Carolina Mustard BBQ Sauce is super tangy, with a leading flavor of mustard that's balanced out with honey. This 6-ingredient sauce is decidedly simple, really aiming to complement the flavor of the yellow mustard. It's slightly sweet from the brown sugar and honey, almost replicating that lip-smacking honey-mustard flavor, and just a touch spicy from the cayenne and black pepper. Apple cider vinegar brings the whole sauce together with acidity and zing. Pair your mustard-based sauce with pork or chicken. Ingredients 2 cups yellow mustard 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar 1/2 cup honey 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar A few dashes of cayenne pepper Black pepper, to taste Directions Combine ingredients: Whisk together all ingredients in a medium saucepan. Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Torie Cox Warm BBQ sauce: Cook over medium, stirring often, until sugar and honey are dissolved and mixture is just beginning to bubble, 4 to 5 minutes. Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Torie Cox Store sauce: Remove from heat, and cool to room temperature, about 30 minutes. Store in an airtight container in refrigerator up to 3 months. Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Torie Cox Rate It Print