Carolina Gold Chicken BBQ Recipe | Golden Bark

Recipe · The Rub Kitchen

Carolina Gold is a BBQ style from South Carolina, recognizable by its mustard base and apple cider vinegar tang. With mustard as the dominant flavor (37%) and a beautiful golden-yellow color from turmeric, this is The Rub Kitchen's most accessible rub. Perfect for beginners and a favorite among experienced BBQ enthusiasts.

15Min. preparation

25-35Min. grilling

2-4Persons

74°CCore temperature

~825SHU heat

Ingredients

Chicken
  • ✓ 1.5 kg skinless chicken thighs
  • ✓ 65g Carolina Gold rub
  • ✓ 1-2 tbsp apple cider vinegar (as a binder)
  • ✓ Neutral oil as an alternative
Serving
  • ✓ 200g coleslaw
  • ✓ Grilled corn on the cob
  • ✓ Potato salad
  • ✓ Grilled bread
Dipping sauce
  • ✓ 2 tbsp honey
  • ✓ 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
  • ✓ 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • ✓ Pinch of salt and pepper

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Preparation

1

Prepare meat

Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels.

2

Apple cider vinegar as a binder

Rub 1 to 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar over the meat, let it sit for 5 minutes, and then lightly pat it dry. The vinegar provides the typical Carolina tang and activates the mustard powder in the rub. Then sprinkle 65g Carolina Gold rub over it and rub it in firmly. Rest for at least 4 hours in the refrigerator, preferably overnight.

3

Prepare BBQ

Heat the BBQ to 160 to 175°C. Please note: the brown sugar (12%) in this rub caramelizes at a low temperature. Above 185°C, there is a risk of burning. This is the lowest temperature of all rubs.

4

Indirect grilling

Place the chicken over indirect heat at 160-175°C. Grill for 25 to 30 minutes, turning halfway through. The smoked paprika and mustard create a deep red bark that is visually impressive.

5

Finish directly

Last 4 to 5 minutes over direct heat, never above 185°C. Core temperature 74°C.

6

Rest and serve

Rest for 5 minutes under foil. Serve with coleslaw, grilled corn, and honey-mustard dipping sauce.

Dipping sauce

Mix honey and Dijon mustard in equal parts with a splash of apple cider vinegar. This perfectly complements the mustard profile of the rub and enhances the Carolina character.

Serving

🥗

Coleslaw

Classic coleslaw with apple cider vinegar cuts through the sweetness of the rub.

🌽

Grilled corn

With butter and salt, optionally sprinkled with extra rub.

🥔

Potato salad

With chives and a light mustard vinaigrette.

🍯

Honey mustard

The perfect dip for the mustard-dominant rub.

Variations

Chicken wings

60g rub for 1.5 kg wings. Same technique, grill for 20 minutes at 160-175°C.

Whole roasted chicken

Whole chicken with 75 minutes indirect at 175°C. The most spectacular way to serve Carolina Gold.

In the oven

175°C convection, 30 minutes. Temperature is extra important here due to the sugar.

About the rub

Carolina Gold is mustard-dominant (37%) with brown sugar, smoked paprika, and ginger. The apple cider vinegar style from South Carolina is recognizable by its slight acidity and golden-yellow color. With only 825 SHU, this is The Rub Kitchen's second mildest rub.

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