Alabama White Sauce - Easy White BBQ Sauce! (2024)

Made with just a few ingredients, this Alabama White Sauce is rich, creamy, tangy, and absolutely mouth-watering. White BBQ sauce is perfect for your grilled and smoked meats as well as dipping everything from chicken fingers to fries.

Next time you have a cookout, put some of this white BBQ sauce and our regular homemade BBQ sauce out and let your guests enjoy both!

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Easy White BBQ Sauce Recipe

Everyone should have a classic BBQ sauce on hand – but sometimes you just gotta switch it up. My family is absolutely addicted to this Alabama white BBQ sauce. It’s creamy, it’s tangy, and it’s oh so good! We use it on everything from chicken tenders to veggies. Our kids even dip their fries in it.

If you’ve never tried Alabama white sauce, you are in for a treat. Be prepared to make this white BBQ sauce recipe all summer long.

What is Alabama White Sauce?

Alabama White Sauce is a white BBQ sauce that originated in Decatur, Alabama at Big Bob Gibson Bar-B-Q. It’s a sweet and tangy sauce that begins with a base of mayonnaise and apple cider vinegar, with a handful of other ingredients like mustard, horseradish, brown sugar, and lemon juice added for a more robust flavor.

Is Alabama white sauce spicy? Not really. It certainly has some bite thanks to the horseradish but I wouldn’t say that it’s spicy hot. You can definitely make it that way by adding in more cayenne pepper but I prefer to keep the heat level family-friendly when I make this.

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Ingredients Needed

What’s in Alabama white sauce? The ingredient list is most likely items you have in the cupboard.
(Scroll below to the printable recipe card for details and measurements.)

  • Mayonnaise – Creates the creamy base.
  • Apple cider vinegar – Adds a little tang and helps to thin out the sauce.
  • Spicy brown mustard – Adds a bit of spice. Use regular brown mustard if that’s what you have on hand.
  • Brown sugar – Balances out the other ingredients with just a bit of sweetness.
  • Horseradish – Adds a bite to the flavor. Use hot horseradish for even more spice.
  • Lemon juice – For a bright citrus note.
  • Worcestershire sauce – Adds depth of flavor, and balances out the sweet, savory, and tangy taste.
  • Seasonings – Garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and cayenne pepper round out the flavor profile.

Recipe Variations

Adjust the heat and flavor with these easy variations.

  • Turn up the spice. If you like an extra kick to your white BBQ sauce, try using hot horseradish and a bit more cayenne pepper. You can also add a splash of your favorite hot sauce as well.
  • Turn down the heat. On the other hand, if you prefer a more mild sauce, swap the spicy brown mustard for regular brown mustard and skip the cayenne pepper.
  • Lighten it up. If you want a lower calorie white BBQ sauce, swap half of the mayo for plain yogurt. I don’t recommend swapping it out completely due to texture and flavor but 50/50 is a great ratio to keep the flavor while lightening the sauce a bit.
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How to Make Alabama White Sauce

This Alabama white BBQ sauce comes together in literal seconds!
(Scroll below to the printable recipe card for details and measurements.)

  • Combine the ingredients. Whisk all ingredients together until smooth.
  • Chill. Refrigerate in an airtight jar for a few hours to give the flavors time to develop. You can serve it immediately but it’s so much better when it’s chilled for several hours or even a day in advance.
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Serving Suggestions

Alabama white sauce is most often served up with grilled steak, grilled chicken, and smoked meats. But there are so many other ways to use it too. You can use it as a dip for chicken tenders, onion rings, and French fries, or completely smother the meats in it, as you would a regular BBQ sauce.

Proper Storage

How long does Alabama White Sauce last? The good news is that this Alabama white sauce will last for up to 2 weeks in the fridge. Although the likelihood of it actually lasting that long is unlikely because you’ll want to put it on everything. I’d consider making a double batch! To store, just keep it in a sealable, airtight container or jar in the fridge. Stir before using.

More Sauce Recipes:

  • Yum Yum Sauce
  • Homemade Sweet Chili Sauce
  • Chick-fil-A Sauce
  • Remoulade Sauce
  • Tzatziki Sauce

I hope you love this delicious and easy recipe – be sure to give it a review below! Also don’t forget to follow Belly Full onTikTok,Facebook,Instagram,Pinterest, andYouTube!

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Alabama White Sauce

Made with just a few ingredients, this Alabama White Sauce is rich, creamy, tangy, and absolutely mouth-watering. White BBQ sauce is perfect for your grilled and smoked meats as well as dipping everything from chicken fingers to fries!

Print Recipe Rate Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Total Time 5 minutes minutes

Servings: 24 servings

Ingredients

  • 1 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon spicy brown mustard
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 2 teaspoons prepared horseradish
  • 2 teaspoons lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Instructions

  • Whisk all of the ingredients together in a small bowl until smooth.

  • Taste and adjust, if desired.

  • Use right away, or store in the fridge for later. We prefer this to chill for at least several hours (ideally a day) before eating to let the flavors develop and meld.

Nutrition

Calories: 67kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 4mg | Sodium: 71mg | Potassium: 11mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 16IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 3mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutritional information given is an automatic calculation and can vary based on the exact products you use and any changes you make to the recipe. If these numbers are very important to you, I would recommend calculating them yourself.

Other Notes

Course: Condiment

Cuisine: American

Keyword: alabama white BBQ sauce, alabama white sauce recipe, white BBQ sauce recipe

Did you make this recipe?Snap a picture and mention @bellyfullblog!

Alabama White Sauce - Easy White BBQ Sauce! (2024)

FAQs

What is Alabama white sauce made of? ›

What is Alabama white sauce made of? The key ingredients in Alabama white sauce are mayonnaise and vinegar. From there, the recipes differ slightly, but you'll often find black pepper, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, and hot sauce, among other ingredients.

How to use Duke's Alabama White BBQ Sauce? ›

How To Use Alabama White Sauce
  1. Use on Grilled or Smoked Chicken. ...
  2. Slather on a Pulled Pork Sandwich. ...
  3. Drizzle on Grilled Veggies. ...
  4. Use as a Base for Coleslaw. ...
  5. Smother Grilled Corn on the Cob. ...
  6. Use as a Dipping Sauce for Everything.

Who made the original Alabama white sauce? ›

A staple of Northern Alabama barbecue, this sauce is primarily a mixture of mayonnaise, vinegar, salt, and pepper. It was invented by Robert Gibson at Big Bob Gibson's Bar-B-Q in Decatur, AL, where freshly smoked chickens are pulled from the pit and then "baptized" in a pool of the sauce.

What is Mission BBQ Alabama white sauce? ›

Alabama white BBQ sauce is a mayonnaise-based dressing that also includes horseradish and cayenne pepper for a good amount of heat. Two packed tablespoons of brown sugar add some sweetness to the mix, while apple cider vinegar and lemon juice provide some flavorful acidity.

What does Alabama white sauce taste like? ›

The tangy flavor is kind of like ranch dressing, and just as dangerously addictive. It's also every bit as versatile: Big Bob's recommends pouring it on chicken, pork, seafood and turkey, and using it as the secret ingredient in homemade cole slaw and potato salad.

Why is it called Alabama White Sauce? ›

The creation of white barbecue sauce, often called “Alabama White,” is credited to Robert “Big Bob'” Gibson at Big Bob Gibson's Bar-B-Q restaurant, in Decatur, Ala., in 1925.

What does Alabama White barbecue sauce taste like? ›

The homemade white bbq sauce is white with a mayo base, but unlike the dressing you would use on classic coleslaw or broccoli salad, it is not sweet. It has a more robust savory flavor thanks to the vinegar's tang and the black pepper and horseradish's mild heat.

Where did Alabama White BBQ sauce come from? ›

However, northern Alabama gets the credit for white barbeque sauce, a truly unique option. The origin of Alabama white sauce can be traced back to one man: Robert Lee Gibson, better known as Big Bob Gibson, of Decatur, Alabama. Gibson earned his nickname from his size — 6'4 and 300 pounds — and an appetite to match.

Who is famous for white BBQ sauce? ›

Big Bob Gibson's White Sauce.

What do you eat Alabama white sauce on? ›

Alabama white sauce may be famous for serving with smoked or grilled chicken, but it's a hugely flavorful addition to any grilled foods and barbecue fair. You'll love it on pulled pork or pork chops.

When was Alabama white sauce invented? ›

Alabama white sauce

It is believed to have been invented by Bob Gibson at the Big Bob Gibson Bar-B-Q in Decatur in 1925. The sauce's popularity was mainly confined to northern Alabama until 1994 when it began to be bottled and sold commercially.

What BBQ is Alabama famous for? ›

Vinegar-based Sauce Barbecue is the age-old art and science of slow-cooking meat. It is worshipped in the state of Alabama, from pecan-infused pork shoulder in Mobile near the coast to white sauce-soaked chicken on the banks of the Tennessee River.

Does Alabama white sauce taste like ranch? ›

Is Alabama White Sauce the same as Ranch Dressing? No. Besides being a white condiment, these two sauces really have nothing in common. Ranch dressing is a creamy, herby dressing, while Alabama White Sauce is a tangy sauce with spice.

What is unholy BBQ sauce? ›

Unholy BBQ Sauce

Baptise your meat with this Mid Western-style sweet, rich, tomato-based sauce with added flavours of orange and fennel. Mix it with your mince or use it as base to your cooking.

What is the most popular sauce at Mission BBQ? ›

Mission BBQ Original BBQ Sauce

This is Mission BBQ's signature sauce and a crowd favorite. It's a classic Kansas City-style barbecue sauce with a perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and smoky flavors.

What is white sauce vs alfredo sauce? ›

White sauce – also known as béchamel – is made with flour, milk, and butter. It's a basic sauce that can be used as a base for other sauces or as a topping for dishes like lasagna. Alfredo sauce, on the other hand, is made with butter, cream, and Parmesan cheese, and has a much richer flavour than white sauce.

What is Alabama white sauce used for? ›

This distinctive, zingy sauce marries the taste of Duke's with tangy vinegar, punchy horseradish, and a peppery blend of spices. It's bound to become your go-to sauce for dunking smoked or grilled chicken and fried green tomatoes or using as a dipping sauce for fried okra and French fries.

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