When it comes to South Carolina BBQ, the secret is all in that mustard-based sauce! These South Carolina-style BBQ Ribs have an amazing flavor and are ready to eat in less than an hour!

South Carolina BBQ Ribs Recipe

So I’m going to be really honest with you right now: if you’re looking for a BBQ ribs recipe that needs to be cooked low and slow on a smoker for hours on end, you’re not going to find it here.

While I definitely appreciate the art of smoking meat for an entire day (and love to check out restaurants who are known for that when I travel), that is just not something that I’m going to be fitting into my day anytime soon. I always have a houseful of kids and I’m lucky if I can get an uninterrupted shower. Spending hours labouring over a smoker or BBQ is just not happening.

But, despite this recipe taking less than an hour from start to finish and being incredibly low-maintenance, these ribs still turned out finger-licking good!

The sweet, tart and tangy mustard-based Carolina BBQ sauce is completely unlike any tomato-based BBQ sauce and a must-try for true BBQ fans – it’s more than it’s color that earns it the nickname “Carolina Gold.” It helps these ribs develop an amazing layered flavor, despite not marinating them and only cooking them for under an hour.

While the ingredients list for the sauce is a bit long at 10 ingredients, it’s all ingredients you probably have in your pantry already.

If you’d like to skip making your own BBQ sauce, you can buy a Carolina Gold BBQ sauce – but I still recommend using a dry rub on the ribs to give it that depth of flavor.

Tips to Cooking Ribs Quickly

Remove the membrane on the back of your ribs
Select smaller racks of ribs or cut into small sections
Marinate the ribs overnight to ensure tender ribs despite high cooking temperatures
Cook directly on the grill without any foil (you can also cook in the oven quickly)
Allow ribs to rest after cooking – this allows you to cook at a high temperature but gives the meat a chance to retain it’s fat and juices

What to Serve with South Carolina BBQ Ribs

Hawaiian Macaroni Salad
Gluten-free Cornbread Muffins from The Soccer Mom Blog
Crockpot Corn on the Cob
Homemade Colelsaw from Kylee Cooks
Creamy Dill Potatoes
Homemade Mac and Cheese from the Chunky Chef

South Carolina Mustard BBQ Sauce Ingredients

Yellow Mustard
Ketchup
Apple Cider Vinegar
Honey
Brown Sugar
Chili Powder
Worcestershire Sauce
Garlic Powder
Onion Powder
Salt and Pepper, to taste
Hot Sauce, optional <– this is my all-time favorite

For the Ribs:

Ribs <– you can use beef or pork ribs, personal choice
Garlic Powder
Onion Powder
Salt and Pepper
Paprika, optional
South Carolina BBQ Sauce (above or store-bought)

Scroll down to the printable recipe card for full measurements.

Tip: this Carolina Gold BBQ Sauce recipe makes 2 cups, enough for at least two BBQs.

Kitchen Tools You May Find Helpful

Measuring Cups and Spoons
BBQ Mop/Basting Brush
Saucepan
BBQ Tongs
Meat Thermometer <– this is the one I have been using for the past 6 years – I’ve never had to change a battery and it’s super sturdy and reliable. It was a bit pricey, but unlike the $15 models that you can buy, this one isn’t going to need replacement. It is waterproof and comes with a two-year warranty. (Thermoworks also has a $15 pocket-sized model if you want to try that out first before investing in the MK4.)

How to Make South Carolina BBQ Ribs

In a medium-sized saucepan, combine all of the sauce ingredients and whisk to combine. Set over medium heat and cook until sugar is fully dissolved.

Remove saucepan from heat and allow to cool.

Heat your BBQ to 350ºF to 400ºF.

Meanwhile, prepare the ribs by removing the membrane off the back and rubbing with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder and paprika. (The same seasonings used in the mustard sauce.)

Place the ribs directly on the grill and cook for 30-40 minutes, turning every 15 minutes.

Once the ribs reach 135ºF-145ºF, brush them with BBQ sauce (approximately 1/4 cup per rack).

Continue cooking for 15 more minutes (do not exceed 190Fº) and then remove ribs to a plate and cover with foil.

Allow the ribs to rest for 5-15 minutes before cutting into them.

Pin this Easy and Delicious BBQ Ribs Recipe:

Grab your free printable for our South Carolina BBQ Ribs recipe:

Want to Save This Recipe?

Enter your email & I'll send it to your inbox. Plus, get great new recipes from me every week!

By submitting this form, you consent to receive emails from Sugar, Spice and Glitter.

Yield: 2lbs ribs

South-Carolina BBQ Ribs: Mustard-Style

Name: South-Carolina BBQ Ribs: Mustard-Style
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 1 h 10 min
Yield: 2
Cuisine: Beef recipe
Ingredients: 3/4 cup Yellow Mustard; 2 Tablespoons Ketchup; 1/3 cup Apple Cider Vinegar; 1/4 cup Honey; 1/4 cup Brown Sugar; 2 teaspoons Chili Powder; 2 teaspoons Worcestershire Sauce; 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder; 1 teaspoon Onion Powder; Salt and Pepper, to taste; Hot Sauce, optional; 2lbs Ribs; 1/2 teaspoon Garlic Powder; 1/2 teaspoon Onion Powder; Salt and Pepper, to taste; 1/2 teaspoon Paprika, optional; 1 cup South Carolina BBQ Sauce

A finger-licking recipe for Carolina Gold Mustard-based BBQ sauce and a quick recipe for 1 hour BBQ ribs.

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 45 minutes

Additional Time 15 minutes

Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes

Ingredients

For the Carolina BBQ Sauce:

3/4 cup Yellow Mustard
2 Tablespoons Ketchup
1/3 cup Apple Cider Vinegar
1/4 cup Honey
1/4 cup Brown Sugar
2 teaspoons Chili Powder
2 teaspoons Worcestershire Sauce
1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
1 teaspoon Onion Powder
Salt and Pepper, to taste
Hot Sauce, optional

For the Ribs:

2lbs Ribs
1/2 teaspoon Garlic Powder
1/2 teaspoon Onion Powder
Salt and Pepper, to taste
1/2 teaspoon Paprika, optional
1 cup South Carolina BBQ Sauce

Instructions

In a medium-sized saucepan, combine all of the sauce ingredients and whisk to combine. Set over medium heat and cook until sugar is fully dissolved.
Remove saucepan from heat and allow to cool.
Heat your BBQ to 350ºF to 400ºF.
Meanwhile, prepare the ribs by removing the membrane off the back and rubbing with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder and paprika.
Place the ribs directly on the grill and cook for 30-40 minutes, turning every 15 minutes.
Once the ribs reach 135ºF-145ºF, brush them with BBQ sauce (approximately 1/4 cup per rack).
Continue cooking for 15 more minutes (do not exceed 190Fº) and then remove ribs to a plate and cover with foil.
Allow the ribs to rest for 5-15 minutes before cutting into them.

Notes

The Carolina Gold Sauce recipe makes two cups, enough for two BBQ sessions.

Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 702Total Fat: 72gSaturated Fat: 21gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 33gCholesterol: 238mgSodium: 1756mgCarbohydrates: 65gFiber: 3gSugar: 55gProtein: 50g

Sugar, Spice and Glitter uses an auto-generate nutrition calculator. Nutrition information isn’t always accurate unless analyzed in a scientific lab, so these should be considered more of a guideline than medical information.

These South Carolina-style BBQ Ribs are a delicious twist to your typical BBQ fare – but my favorite part has to be that they are done and ready to enjoy in an hour!

For more delicious BBQ recipes, check out our Kansas City BBQ Bacon Shrimp or our Jalepeño Crunch Cowboy Burgers.

South-Carolina BBQ Ribs: Mustard-Style

South Carolina BBQ Ribs Recipe