South Carolina
"The home of the legendary 'Carolina Gold' mustard sauce, a tradition influenced by German heritage."
The Staple
Pork Shoulder & Whole Hog
Sauce Base
Mustard (Carolina Gold)
Fuel Source
Hickory & Oak
The Mustard Belt
South Carolina is the only state that has all four major BBQ sauce styles. You’ll find Vinegar, Heavy Tomato, Light Tomato, and Mustard here. But it is most famous for its Mustard-based sauce. Folks call it “Carolina Gold.” This style is found in the central part of the state. This area was settled by German immigrants in the 1700s.
Carolina Gold Sauce
The gold sauce is a bright yellow mix of mustard, vinegar, sugar, and spices. It is tangy and sweet. While it might sound odd to outsiders, it is a perfect match for rich smoked pork.
The Meat: Pork is King
South Carolina is a pork state. Whole hog is common. But pork shoulder is the workhorse of most BBQ joints. The meat is usually pulled or chopped. It’s served with a good helping of gold sauce.
Hash and Rice
A unique South Carolina BBQ side is Hash. This is a thick, gravy-like stew. It’s made from various parts of the hog. Historically this was the organs and head meat. Modern versions often use shoulder. It is slow-cooked with onions and spices until it’s spreadable. It is almost always served over white rice.
The Traditional Buffet
South Carolina is also known for its BBQ buffets, where you can find mountains of pork, hash, fried chicken, and a variety of southern vegetables like collard greens and sweet potato casserole.