Alabama White BBQ Sauce
This creamy Alabama white BBQ sauce successfully breaks you out of the routine of the usual tomato-based version. Southerners are barbecuing experts, so it’s no surprise they’ve created a sauce perfect for every occasion! It goes great with smoked chicken, grilled steak, or mouthwatering ribs and turns any ordinary cookout into a party.
Honestly, the first time I heard about white barbecue sauce, it didn’t quite jam with me. I kept thinking about that deep tomato-red sauce with smoky overtones that I love on smoked ribs. But then, BBQ sauce has such a wide variety, why wouldn’t it work with mayo?
It just goes to show that we never stop learning. (Or stop eating.) Of course, that meant I had to figure out my own twist on it. My homemade mayo created the base, and then I played with the traditional ingredients until I found the balance that worked for us. I’m happy to share the results with you.
What Makes White BBQ Sauce Great
In the 1920s, Bob Gibson, the owner of Big Bob Gibson’s Bar-B-Q in Decatur, AL, invented his exquisite Alabama white sauce recipe to smother smoked chicken. His ingenuity has become a symbol of all that represents delicious southern food unique to northern Alabama.
Basically, the same spices used in traditional barbecuing are added to mayonnaise instead of the tomato base. The best part about this super-easy sauce is not having to spend hours over the stove. The creaminess of mayonnaise, tang of vinegar, acidity of lemon, sweetness of brown sugar, pungency of mustard, heat of cayenne, and zing of lemon all create an explosion of flavor that complements any backyard barbecue.
Fun Fact: Big Bob’s restaurant is still operating and popular five generations later. So try out the original if you’re ever in Decatur.
How to Make White BBQ Sauce
- Mix, let it chill, and it’s done. It should last in the fridge for a couple of weeks.
More Ways to Use White BBQ Sauce
Slathering this sauce on a chicken sandwich instead of the classic mayo is amazing. And since it has horseradish in it, it’s perfect with grilled beef.
Another way I’ve enjoyed it is in the dressing for my potato and tuna macaroni salads. Dipping grilled wings and French fries in this sauce is so much better than ketchup.
More Easy Sauce Recipes to Enjoy
- Mustard BBQ Sauce
- Traditional BBQ Sauce
- Enchilada Sauce
- African Red Pepper Sauce
- Caribbean Pepper Sauce
This blog post was originally published in May 2021 and has been updated with additional tips and beautiful photos.
Alabama White BBQ Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 cup (225-230g) mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon (16g) brown mustard
- 2 tablespoons (25g) brown sugar
- 1-2 teaspoons (5-10g) horseradish
- 1-2 cloves garlic, minced (about 1 teaspoon)
- 2-3 tablespoons (30-45ml) apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon (15ml) lemon juice
- ¼ teaspoon (0.5g) cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon (5ml) Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon (4g) Creole seasoning (optional)
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, combine the mayonnaise, mustard, brown sugar, horseradish, minced garlic, vinegar, lemon juice, cayenne pepper, Worcestershire sauce, and Creole seasoning.
- Whisk until all the ingredients have been thoroughly combined—season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Adjust ingredients to suit your taste buds with more vinegar, salt, and pepper.
- Use immediately or store in the refrigerator, covered, for up to 3 days.
Tips & Notes:
- This sauce is a good one to make the day before so that the flavors meld. It will keep in the refrigerator as long as mayo does.
- If it comes out too thick, add vinegar a little at a time until it reaches the consistency you want.
- Please keep in mind that nutritional information is a rough estimate and can vary greatly based on the products used.
