Eastern Carolina Vinegar Pepper Sauce

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18th & Vine Historic District

📍 Where this dish comes from: Kansas City, Missouri · 18th & Vine Historic District
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Eastern Carolina Vinegar Pepper Sauce, plated and ready to serve

This is barbecue sauce stripped down to its earliest form — just vinegar, pepper, and a little heat, meant to cut through rich, smoky pulled pork rather than coat it in sweetness. It’s essentially carb-free and keeps indefinitely.

What You’ll Need

Eastern Carolina Vinegar Pepper Sauce

A thin, sharp vinegar and pepper sauce, the oldest style of barbecue sauce in the Carolinas.
Print Recipe
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Servings: 1.5 cups
Calories: 5kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tbsp red pepper flakes
  • 1 tsp cayenne pepper
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp salt

Instructions

  • Combine vinegar, red pepper flakes, cayenne, black pepper, and salt in a jar.
  • Shake well and let sit at least 1 hour before using, though it improves with a day or two of resting.
  • Store at room temperature or in the refrigerator for up to a month.

Nutrition

Serving: 2tbsp | Calories: 5kcal
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Health Benefits

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