Name: Alabama White Sauce (White BBQ Sauce)
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Yield: 12
Cuisine: Southern
Ingredients: 1 cup mayonnaise; 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar; 1 tablespoon brown mustard; 1 tablespoon brown sugar; 1 teaspoon lemon juice; 1 teaspoon prepared horseradish; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon pepper; 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper; 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder; 1/4 teaspoon onion powder

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Alabama white sauce is the best white barbecue sauce recipe, completely different than any other barbecue sauce you’ve tried. This versatile sauce is made with a mayonnaise base and flavored to perfection with tangy vinegar and creamy horseradish, making it the perfect addition to any bbq meal.

spoon dripping alabama white sauce into jar

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Alright, y’all, let’s talk about Alabama White BBQ Sauce! Picture this: tangy, creamy, and oh-so-southern. It’s like the rebel cousin of barbecue sauces.

This concoction hails from northern Alabama, and it’s not your typical BBQ sauce – loaded with mayo, vinegar, and a dash of pepper, it’s a party for your taste buds. Perfect for slathering on grilled chicken or as a zesty dip.

Where did Alabama white sauce come from?

Robert Gibson of Big Bob Gibson’s Bar-B-Q in Decatur, Alabama, was the mastermind behind this tangy creation. Way back in the 1920s, he whipped up a mayo-based concoction and dipped split smoked chickens in it and it became the talk of the town.

This tangy sauce has since become a Southern favorite. You can purchase the original sauce on their website or in many grocery stores in the South but it is easy to make your own at home as well.

You also might like to try our Carolina Gold BBQ sauce, homemade Big Mac sauce, or our dipping sauce for sweet potato fries!

Ingredients

Mayo – Duke’s is my personal favorite
Apple Cider Vinegar – adds the tangy flavor
Brown Mustard: My flavor booster for that extra kick
Brown Sugar – adds a touch of sweetness
Horseradish: Add zing with the hot version
Lemon Juice – for acidity
Worcestershire Sauce
Spices: onion powder, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper

Step by step

Unlike most of our barbecue sauce recipes, there is no stovetop time for this easy sauce.

You simply need to add all of the ingredients to a medium bowl and whisk together. You can use the sauce immediately but I like to refrigerate the sauce for an hour or two before using it just to let the flavors blend.

Variations

adjust the heat of this recipe by adding extra horseradish
lighten it up by using Miracle Whip or replacing half of the mayonnaise with sour cream or plain Greek yogurt

Serving suggestions

White sauce is a very versatile condiment that can be served many ways:

like the original white BBQ sauce you can dip smoked whole chickens in it
serve it with grilled chicken breasts, pork chops, pork tenderloin, beef brisket, or pulled pork
use as a dipping sauce for chicken tenders, bbq chicken wings, french fries, sweet potato fries, or even potato skins
use it to top a burger or chicken sandwich
use it as a basting sauce over grilled shrimp or fish
dip veggies in it
use it as a salad dressing or with your coleslaw

Storage

Store the white sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

If you try this recipe please comment and rate it below, I love hearing from you!