Georgia Mustard Barbecue Sauce

By
Derrick Riches
Derrick Riches
Derrick Riches
Derrick Riches is a grilling and barbecue expert. He has written two cookbooks.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 02/28/22
Georgia Mustard Barbecue Sauce

The Spruce / Kristina Vanni

Prep: 5 mins
Cook: 15 mins
Total: 20 mins
Servings: 32 servings

In parts of Georgia and the western Carolinas, barbecue sauce starts with mustard. Sometimes it gets some sweet and sometimes it gets some heat. This tangy mustard sauce has a touch of heat and is the perfect barbecue sauce for pulled pork—but don't be afraid to try it on chicken or ribs.

The use of mustard in barbecue sauce is believed to be due to the influence of cooks of German heritage. Even today, you will find mustard sauce served at barbecue joints that have German names.

You can use your mustard of choice in this recipe. Plain old ballpark yellow mustard is completely acceptable. But if you want a spicier Dijon mustard, that will also work just fine. Worcestershire sauce has its place in many barbecue sauces. It adds the savory umami flavor that makes your taste buds dance with joy.

The saying is that if you gather three people together in Georgia, a barbecue will break out rather than a fight. Community barbecues have been part of political rallies and campaigns for decades, with more people attracted to the food than the speeches.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup mustard

  • 1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar

  • 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar

  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

  • 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

  • 1 teaspoon salt

  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

  • 1 teaspoon celery seed

  • 1 teaspoon Tabasco

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Georgia Mustard Barbecue Sauce ingredients

    The Spruce / Kristina Vanni

  2. Combine all of the ingredients in a saucepan over a low heat. Simmer for 15 minutes.

    Combine all of the ingredients in a saucepan

    The Spruce / Kristina Vanni

  3. Remove from heat and allow the sauce to cool for 10 to 15 minutes before using.

    sauce cooling in a saucepan

    The Spruce / Kristina Vanni

  4. The sauce can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for two weeks after preparation.

    Georgia Mustard Barbecue Sauce in a jar

    The Spruce / Kristina Vanni

How to Use Mustard BBQ Sauce

  • Now you can have some fun using this mustard barbecue sauce on a variety of meats. As it has sugar, you won't want to use it on the meat while it is grilling at a higher temperature. Otherwise, it will burn and give an unpleasant flavor to your meat. You can brush it onto meats while smoking them (low and slow) or in the final minutes of grilling when the temperature is lower.


  • This is an excellent sauce to mix with pulled pork to enhance the flavor. You'll love the taste of it on a pulled pork and slaw sandwich. It will enhance smoked pork chops and pork roast in addition to pork ribs.


  • Give this sauce a try to finish chicken wings or as a dipping sauce for wings. It goes great with chicken breasts as well. Drizzle some mustard sauce on roasted vegetables for a delightful experience.

Mustard BBQ Sauce With Tomato

This sauce has no tomato in it. You will see some commercially produced Georgia mustard sauces (such as from Famous Dave's) that contain tomato. If you find that you like that variation, you could add some to this recipe.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
24 Calories
1g Fat
4g Carbs
0g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 32
Amount per serving
Calories 24
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 1g 1%
Saturated Fat 0g 2%
Cholesterol 2mg 1%
Sodium 167mg 7%
Total Carbohydrate 4g 1%
Dietary Fiber 0g 1%
Total Sugars 3g
Protein 0g
Vitamin C 0mg 1%
Calcium 10mg 1%
Iron 0mg 1%
Potassium 28mg 1%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

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