History

Vinegar-pepper sauce is perhaps the oldest barbecue sauce in the United States, with roots in basting techniques used by Native Americans in the Pee Dee region of South Carolina. It moved north into the Upstate through Carolina migration patterns. The Upstate uses the thinner vinegar sauce more than the Midlands mustard. Henry's Smokehouse has been doing the Upstate vinegar style on Wade Hampton since 1992.

Common allergens: May contain mustard

Make it at home

Yield 6Hands-on 30 minTotal 8 hrDifficulty Intermediate

Ingredients

  • 1 (5 to 6 lb) pork shoulder (Boston butt), bone-in
  • 2 tbsp coarse salt
  • 1 tbsp black pepper
  • 1 tbsp brown sugar
  • 1 tbsp smoked paprika
  • 2 cups apple cider vinegar
  • 1 cup water
  • 2 tbsp crushed red pepper flakes
  • 1 tbsp black pepper, freshly ground
  • 1 tbsp brown sugar (for the sauce)
  • 1 tsp salt (for the sauce)

Method

  1. Mix salt, pepper, brown sugar and smoked paprika; rub all over the pork shoulder. Let sit overnight in the fridge, uncovered.
  2. Set a smoker or grill to 225 degrees Fahrenheit. Add hickory wood. Smoke the pork shoulder for 6 to 8 hours until the internal temperature reads 195 degrees in the thickest part.
  3. While smoking, combine vinegar, water, red pepper flakes, black pepper, brown sugar and salt in a saucepan. Bring to a simmer, then cool. The sauce should be thin and biting.
  4. Pull the pork by hand or with two forks. Toss with about a cup of the vinegar sauce. Reserve the rest at the table.
  5. Serve on a soft bun with coleslaw, with extra vinegar sauce alongside.

Tip from the editors. The longer the rub sits before smoking, the better the bark. Don't be tempted to wrap the shoulder too early; the bark is the point.

Where to eat carolina vinegar-pepper barbecue

Carolina vinegar-pepper barbecue in Greenville

Henry's Smokehouse ★ 4.2

American BBQ$wade-hamptonMon-Sat 11:00-20:00; Sun 11:00-15:00

Henry's runs counter-service barbecue on Wade Hampton: chopped pork sandwich and a side under fifteen dollars, four South Carolina sauces on the table.

Try: Chopped pork sandwich and a side under fifteen dollars

240 Wade Hampton Boulevard, Greenville, SC 29609

Mac's Speed Shop ★ 4.1

Barbecue$$west-endMon-Thu 11:00-22:00; Fri-Sat 11:00-24:00; Sun 11:00-22:00

Mac's Speed Shop runs barbecue and a deep beer list on the West End: pulled pork, smoked brisket, babyback ribs, dog-friendly patio, live music on Thursdays.

Signature: Pulled pork, Smoked brisket, Babyback ribs

930 South Main Street, Greenville, SC 29601

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