Ed’s Eastern North Carolina Vinegar BBQ Sauce

Makes about 1 gallon

INGREDIENTS

1 gallon apple cider vinegar

1 cup red pepper flakes, plus more if needed

1 cup packed dark brown sugar, plus more if needed

1 cup hot sauce (such as True Made Foods Cayenne Hot Sauce), plus more if needed

1/2 cup smoked paprika

1/4 cup kosher salt, plus more if needed

2 tablespoons freshly ground black pepper

1 tablespoon minced garlic

DIRECTIONS

Combine all ingredients in a container and stir until the sugar has dissolved. Taste and add more salt, red pepper flakes, hot sauce or brown sugar to suit you. Just before applying, strain the sauce through a fine-mesh sieve.

Source: Ed and Ryan Mitchell, “Ed Mitchell’s Barbeque” (Ecco, $37.50)