Add bold, tangy flavor to your barbecue with our premium vinegar-based sauces. Perfect for pulled pork, chicken, ribs, and Carolina-style BBQ.
Blues Hog Tennessee Red BBQ Sauce
Sale price$10.99
Cheshire Pork Bourbon Peach BBQ Sauce
Sale price$9.99
Jack Mixon's Old South Bar-B-Que Sauce
Sale price$7.99
Jack Mixon's Old South Hot Bar-B-Que Sauce
Sale price$7.99
Killer Hogs Vinegar Sauce
Sale price$7.00
Meat Mitch Char Bar Table BBQ Sauce
Sale price$8.99
Meat Mitch Naked BBQ Sauce
Sale price$8.99
Myron Mixon Vinegar BBQ Sauce
Sale price$7.99
Frequently Asked Questions
Vinegar BBQ sauce is a thin, pungent sauce made primarily from apple cider vinegar or white vinegar, seasoned with salt, black pepper, red pepper flakes, and sometimes a small amount of sugar or brown sugar. It originated in Eastern North Carolina and is one of the oldest regional BBQ sauce traditions in the United States. Unlike tomato-based Kansas City sauces, vinegar sauce contains little to no tomato, and its primary function is to cut through the rich fat of whole-hog BBQ rather than to add sweetness or body.
Vinegar BBQ sauce is ideally matched to pulled pork and whole-hog BBQ, where its sharp acidity brightens the fat-rich meat and adds contrast to the deep smoke flavor. It is traditionally served mixed directly into the pulled pork rather than on the side. It also works on fried chicken and grilled pork chops. Because of its thinness and sharp character, vinegar sauce is not typically served on beef cuts or lamb, where its intensity tends to overwhelm rather than complement the protein's natural flavor.
Traditional Eastern Carolina-style vinegar sauce has a moderate to significant heat level from red pepper flakes or hot sauce. The heat integrates with the sharpness of the vinegar to produce a sauce that is simultaneously tangy and warming. However, the spice level varies significantly by recipe and brand - some commercial vinegar sauces are mild and primarily acidic without significant heat. If you are heat-sensitive, check the label for cayenne, red pepper, or hot sauce in the ingredient list before purchasing.
Vinegar BBQ sauce is one of the simplest BBQ sauces to make at home. A basic formula combines 1 cup of apple cider vinegar with 1 tablespoon each of salt, sugar, and red pepper flakes, plus 1 teaspoon of black pepper. Whisk together until the sugar and salt dissolve, then use immediately or allow the flavors to meld in the refrigerator for 24 hours. This sauce keeps for several weeks refrigerated and improves in flavor over the first few days as the spices infuse more fully into the vinegar.
If you are new to vinegar sauce, start by mixing it into pulled pork at a ratio of 2 to 3 tablespoons per pound of meat before serving rather than pouring it on top. This allows the vinegar to integrate with the meat's juices and fat, creating a balanced flavor rather than hitting you with a sharp acidic note all at once. You can also blend a small amount of vinegar sauce into your usual thick, sweet sauce to increase its brightness and cut through richness - this hybrid approach introduces the vinegar flavor in a format that may feel more familiar.
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With over 35 years of smoking experience, we started DDR BBQ Supply with a simple goal: to help others cook better barbecue. We've spent decades learning what works and what doesn't, and we apply that knowledge to every product we carry. From high-performance grills and smokers to carefully selected rubs, sauces, and tools, everything we offer is something we believe in and use ourselves. We don’t believe in cutting corners or selling gear we wouldn’t rely on during our own backyard cooks and when we compete in BBQ competitions.