South Carolina

The Mustard Belt

South Carolina is the only state that features all four major BBQ sauce styles (Vinegar, Heavy Tomato, Light Tomato, and Mustard). However, it is most famous for its Mustard-based sauce, often referred to as “Carolina Gold.” This style is concentrated in the central part of the state, an area heavily settled by German immigrants in the 1700s.

Carolina Gold Sauce

The signature gold sauce is a vibrant yellow mixture of yellow mustard, vinegar, sugar (or honey), and spices. It is tangy, sweet, and slightly pungent. While it might sound unusual to outsiders, it is a perfect match for the richness of smoked pork.

The Meat: Pork is King

Like its neighbor to the north, South Carolina is a pork state. Whole hog is common, but pork shoulder is the workhorse of most BBQ shacks. The meat is typically pulled or chopped and served with a generous helping of gold sauce.

Hash and Rice

A unique South Carolina BBQ side dish is Hash. This is a thick, gravy-like stew made from various parts of the hog (historically the organs and head meat, though modern versions often use shoulder). It is slow-cooked with onions and spices until it reaches a spreadable consistency and 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.