Vinegar based BBQ sauce - Georgia Style

Inspired by our recent trip to Georgia, and a sampling of the vinegar based sauces at Angels BBQ in Savannah, here is a note with recipes for our friends. A vinegar based bbq sauce... nothing compares to the flavor and the tenderness it imparts to a juicy piece of meat, at least that what they say in Georgia.

These sauces are typically apple cider vinegar and pepper based, as opposed to mustard or tomato based sauces which are more popular in areas like South Carolina and Texas.

You can use these vinegar based bbq sauces as a marinade. Just cover and soak the meat in them to add flavor and tenderize before cooking.

They can also be applied during cooking but only during the last hour of cooking so as not to burn the sugar ingredients in them.

Or if you prefer, you can just add these sauces directly to the meat once it's cooked. It's best to warm up the vinegar sauce first before applying, so that you don't cool down the piping hot meat.

So next time you're barbequing, try out one or all three of these typical, mouth watering vinegar barbeque sauce recipes, one hot, one milder and one sweet.
Don't forget, you can experiment with the amount and type of bbq ingredients and discover what works best for you.

Vinegar based BBQ Sauce #1 (Hot)

1 cup (250 ml) apple cider vinegar
1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
1 tablespoon brown sugar or 1/2 tablespoon black molasses

Add all the ingredients to a bowl and mix well.
To really bring out the flavors, let the mixture stand for 4 hours before using.


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Vinegar based bbq Sauce #2 (Milder)

1 cup (250 ml) apple cider vinegar
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1/2 teaspoon tabasco sauce
1 teaspoon black molasses

Add all the ingredients to a bowl and mix well.

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Vinegar based bbq Sauce #3 (Sweet)

1 cup (250 ml) apple cider vinegar
1 tablespoon crushed red pepper flakes
1 tablespoon ground black pepper
1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
3 tablespoons ketchup
1/3 cup (75 ml) honey


Add the vinegar, both peppers and the salt to a saucepan and stir well.
Bring to a boil then mix in the ketchup and honey and reduce the heat to low.
Allow the mixture to simmer for 30 minutes.