North Carolina barbecue, like many American barbecue styles, is characterised by even further into more distinct, local barbecue styles. North Carolina barbecue is polarised by ‘Eastern NC-style’ barbecue and ‘Lexington NC-style’ barbecue (sometimes called ‘Piedmont NC-style’). Recipes for barbecue sauces in this region, like many others across American barbecue, vary widely and even vary by town. The key features of Lexington-style barbecue’s famous ‘dip’ sauce are sweet apples, brown sugar, a hint of spice and plenty of apple cider vinegar. The acidity of the sauce compliments many of the richer barbecue cuts, especially pork, and is great as a beginners barbecue sauce. I also build some bitter, smokehouse-reminiscent notes in the sauce by cooking the brown sugar to a smoke-whispering caramel that prevents the sauce from tasting too sweet - just pure complexity. Try it on pulled pork sandwiches or as a wet rib glaze - phenomenal! Let’s go!
