Carolina BBQ is a regional style of barbecue that originates from the Carolinas (North and South Carolina) in the southeastern United States. It is known for its distinctive flavors and methods, which vary depending on the region within the Carolinas. There are two main styles: Eastern Carolina and Western (or Piedmont) Carolina BBQ.
Eastern Carolina BBQ
Meat – Traditionally, Eastern Carolina BBQ uses whole hog barbecue, meaning the entire pig is cooked low and slow over wood, usually hickory or oak.
Sauce – The hallmark of this style is a vinegar-based sauce, often spiced with red pepper flakes, black pepper, and sometimes a bit of mustard or other seasonings. It is tangy, thin, and less sweet compared to other BBQ sauces.
Flavor Profile – Very tangy and sharp, with the vinegar cutting through the richness of the pork.
Western (Piedmont or Lexington) Carolina BBQ
Meat – This style focuses primarily on pork shoulder or pork butt, rather than the whole hog.
Sauce – Western Carolina BBQ uses a vinegar-based sauce as well, but with a twist—tomato or ketchup is added to the sauce, giving it a slightly sweeter, tangier, and thicker consistency compared to the Eastern version.
Flavor Profile – The sauce provides a balance between the tang of vinegar and the sweetness from the tomato.
South Carolina BBQ
In South Carolina, there is an additional twist with the introduction of mustard-based sauces. This style, often called Carolina Gold, is a blend of mustard, vinegar, sugar, and spices, and is a unique offering in the world of BBQ.
Cooking Technique
Slow and Low: Both styles rely on slow-cooking the meat over wood or charcoal for many hours, which imparts a smoky flavor and ensures the meat is tender and juicy.
Sides – Typical sides for Carolina BBQ include coleslaw, hush puppies, cornbread, collard greens, and sometimes vinegar-based slaw in Eastern Carolina. The slaw is often served on top of the pulled pork in sandwiches.
Carolina BBQ is known for its simplicity and emphasis on enhancing the flavor of the meat with tangy, flavorful sauces, making it a unique barbecue experience compared to other U.S. BBQ regions, like Texas or Kansas City.
