BEST Alabama White Sauce Recipe (Creamy White BBQ Sauce!) (2024)

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This Alabama White Sauce is a tangy homemade BBQ sauce that tastes like co*cktail sauce and BBQ sauce had a baby… but it is white!

BEST Alabama White Sauce Recipe (Creamy White BBQ Sauce!) (1)

While most traditional BBQ sauces are tomato-based, this unique version is a mayonnaise-based BBQ sauce. It still uses vinegar and some other standard BBQ seasonings, but it also incorporates horseradish which is not found in typical barbeque sauces.

BEST Alabama White Sauce Recipe (Creamy White BBQ Sauce!) (2)

What's In This Post

What Does Alabama White Sauce Taste Like?

It is creamy, tangy and slightly spicy. The original was nothing but mayo, vinegar, horseradish, salt, and pepper. The addition of mayonnaise (eggs and oil) is similar to preparation of Fireman Chicken (Cornell Chicken).

Through the years and at different places, there are other variations, making each special and unique.

BEST Alabama White Sauce Recipe (Creamy White BBQ Sauce!) (3)
BEST Alabama White Sauce Recipe (Creamy White BBQ Sauce!) (4)

What is the Origin of Alabama White Sauce?

This tangy sauce was developed by Robert Gibson at Big Bob Gibson’s Bar-B-Q in Decatur, Alabama. A staple of Northern ‘Bama BBQ, it was served with smoked chicken which were removed from the pit and “baptized” in a pool of the sauce.

Historically served on chicken, this sauce will taste great on any type of meat and even veggies.

BEST Alabama White Sauce Recipe (Creamy White BBQ Sauce!) (5)

Why You’ll Love this Alabama White Sauce Recipe

There are so many reasons to love this unique BBQ sauce.

  • Different – While it incorporates some traditional BBQ sauce flavors, its creamy consistency veers away from the usual tomato-based sauces.
  • Easy – This simple recipe makes it easy to whip up a white sauce in nearly no time.
  • Delicious – Alabama white sauce has all of the elements to make it balanced from its the heat of cayenne and horseradish to the sweetness from the brown sugar and the acidity from the tangy vinegar and lemon.
  • Versatile – This white barbeque sauce is such a versatile condiment you can use it on nearly any proteins or vegetables from pork tenderloin, beef brisket, and chicken thighs to all sorts of side dishes.
BEST Alabama White Sauce Recipe (Creamy White BBQ Sauce!) (6)
BEST Alabama White Sauce Recipe (Creamy White BBQ Sauce!) (7)

Alabama White BBQ Sauce Ingredients

A blend of simple ingredients, many will be pantry staples.

  • Mayonnaise– The most traditional base is mayo. If you are in the South, the only option is Duke’s.
  • Apple cider vinegar– Use any type of vinegar you wish including white vinegar or white wine vinegar. The only ones I’d advise against are red wine vinegar or balsamic vinegar.
  • Light brown sugar– Brown sugar imparts a molasses undertone, just like traditional BBQ sauce.
  • Lemon juice– Lemon juice adds brightness to the sauce.
  • Dijon mustard– Most versions use a spicy brown mustard but I like dijon. Coarse mustards are also fun for texture.
  • Worcestershire sauce– This sauce adds depth to the BBQ sauce.
  • Prepared horseradish– If you just want a sweet heat, opt for 1 teaspoon, but go up to 1 tablespoon if you really want your nose to burn.
  • Garlic powder & onion powder– Using powders makes it easy to add garlic and onion flavor.
  • Coarse kosher salt & ground black pepper– You can add these to taste.
  • Cayenne pepper– Add more or less based on personal preference. Be mindful that the more you use, the less white your sauce will be (albeit still flavorful and delicious!).
BEST Alabama White Sauce Recipe (Creamy White BBQ Sauce!) (8)

What to Serve With this Easy Alabama White Barbecue Sauce

Smoked meats are an obvious choice but this white bbq sauce is delicious slathered on other meats and veggies, too. Try it on Instant Pot pulled pork or cedar plank salmon, or drizzle it on grilled chicken or pork chops.

For vegetables, try spooning it over roasted cauliflower, corn on the cob, or broccoli fritters. You can even use it as a base for any mayonnaise-based salad like cole slaw or potato salad — or use it as a salad dressing for a simple green salad.

And, like so many sauces, it’s a perfect dipping sauce for nearly anything from fresh vegetables and french fries to zucchini fries or chicken wings.

BEST Alabama White Sauce Recipe (Creamy White BBQ Sauce!) (9)

Variations

Put your own spin on this sauce in a variety of ways.

  • Heat – Replace the cayenne with paprika, chile powder, or hot sauce.
  • Sweetness – For more molasses flavor use dark brown sugar (though this could affect the color of the sauce).
  • Mustard – Substitute stone ground mustard for dijon to add texture.
  • Sour cream – For a little tang, try adding a dollop of sour cream.
  • Acidity – For more tang in your sauce, add extra apple cider vinegar.
BEST Alabama White Sauce Recipe (Creamy White BBQ Sauce!) (10)

Storage, Make Ahead and Freezing

Make Ahead: It’s ideal to make this sauce ahead of time so that the flavors can come together while it’s in the refrigerator.

Refrigerator: Store Alabama white sauce in the refrigerator for 3-4 days in an airtight container or mason jar.

Freezer: We do not recommend storing mayonnaise-based sauces in the freezer.

BEST Alabama White Sauce Recipe (Creamy White BBQ Sauce!) (11)

Questions About Alabama White Sauce

Is Alabama White Sauce Just Ranch?

No. Ranch is a blend of seasonings with buttermilk while white BBQ sauce is a mayonnaise base with horseradish, vinegar and seasonings.

Is Alabama White Sauce Just Chick-fil-A Sauce?

Chick-fil-A sauce is a mixture of honey mustard, barbecue sauce, and ranch dressing and most notably, a hue of pinkish-red, not white.

Why Are Some White BBQ Sauces Pink?

Some variations include the addition of more or less cayenne pepper, chile powder or even hot sauce, making it a blush color.

BEST Alabama White Sauce Recipe (Creamy White BBQ Sauce!) (12)

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BEST Alabama White Sauce Recipe (Creamy White BBQ Sauce!) (13)

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BEST Alabama White Sauce Recipe (Creamy White BBQ Sauce!) (15)

BEST Alabama White Sauce Recipe (Creamy White BBQ Sauce!) (16)

BEST Alabama White Sauce Recipe (Creamy White BBQ Sauce!) (17)

Alabama White Sauce

This unique mayonnaise-based Alabama white sauce is creamy, tangy, and slightly spicy BBQ sauce that's perfect for smoked meats!

5 from 5 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Sauce

Cuisine: American

Keyword: alabama bbq sauce, alabama white sauce

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Chill Time: 30 minutes minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes minutes

Servings: 2 cups

Calories: 1230kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups mayonnaise
  • 2/3 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons light brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 2-3 teaspoons prepared horseradish
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon coarse Kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1/4-1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Instructions

  • In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, vinegar, brown sugar, lemon juice, mustard, Worcestershire, horseradish, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper and cayenne. Adjust the amounts of horseradish and cayenne to personal preference.

  • Cover and chill for a minimum of 30 minutes.

  • Serve with your favorite meat, seafood or veggies.

  • If you’ve tried this recipe, come back and let us know how it was in the comments or star ratings.

Nutrition

Calories: 1230kcal | Carbohydrates: 19g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 126g | Saturated Fat: 20g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 75g | Monounsaturated Fat: 28g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 71mg | Sodium: 2453mg | Potassium: 247mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 15g | Vitamin A: 229IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 54mg | Iron: 1mg

BEST Alabama White Sauce Recipe (Creamy White BBQ Sauce!) (2024)

FAQs

What is Alabama White BBQ sauce made of? ›

What is white BBQ sauce made of? Alabama white sauce starts with a base of mayonnaise and apple cider vinegar. Many variations exist but typical flavorings include mustard, Worcestershire sauce, sugar or honey, garlic and/or onion powder, and lots of black pepper.

What is Mission BBQ Alabama white sauce? ›

Alabama White Sauce is a creamy, tangy, and rich BBQ sauce with just a kiss of heat. This sauce is a classic white BBQ sauce that is perfect on smoked chicken and so much more!

How do you thicken white BBQ sauce? ›

You can use either flour or cornstarch to thicken BBQ sauce. Just mix together 2 tbsp (16 g) of flour and ¼ cup (62.5 mL) of water, or combine 1 tbsp (9 g) of cornstarch with 1 tbsp (15 mL) of water. Continue mixing the thickener until there are no lumps of flour or cornstarch.

What to pair with Alabama white sauce? ›

Alabama white sauce is great on meat, but it's also delicious on vegetables. Drizzle it on grilled veggies like grilled asparagus, zucchini, broccoli, or green beans.

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.

Who made Alabama white sauce famous? ›

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.

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 history of Alabama white BBQ sauce? ›

Bob Gibson of Decatur, Alabama is credited with creating this mayonnaise-based sauce all the way back in 1925. "We marinate with it, use it to baste, plus we use it as an all-purpose table sauce," says Chris Lilly, a world barbecue champion and current pitmaster at Big Bob Gibson Bar-B-Q.

What does Alabama White BBQ sauce taste like? ›

What Does Alabama White Sauce Taste Like? Alabama white sauce has a creamy, tangy flavor that sets it apart from most barbecue sauces, which often have a tomato or ketchup base, with brown sugar, molasses, and hot pepper running through them for sweetness and spice.

How do you keep white sauce thick? ›

To change the thickness of a white sauce, simply use more or less butter and flour (keeping them equal) while using the same amount of milk. Thin white sauce: Use 1 tablespoon of butter and 1 tablespoon of flour. Medium white sauce: Use 3 tablespoons of butter and 3 tablespoons of flour.

What makes white sauce thicker? ›

The most readily available sauce-thickener is flour. For a too-thin sauce, try adding a slurry (equal parts flour and water, whisked together) or beurre manie (equal parts softened butter and flour, kneaded together to form a paste)—both are ideal thickeners for rich and creamy sauces, such as steak sauce recipes.

What makes a white sauce thicken? ›

Once all the milk has been added, it'll usually seem as thin as plain milk. That's fine; just bring it to a simmer, and the flour will start to do its thing, its starch swelling and bursting and thickening the sauce.

How to jazz up white sauce? ›

Add ground black pepper or ground cayenne pepper to white sauce to give it a kick. Add marjoram, beef bouillon powder and a pinch of ground thyme powder for country fried steak or other beef dish. Add paprika, parsley, white wine and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice for seafood dishes.

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 is the posh name for white sauce? ›

Another name for bechamel — or béchamel — is "white sauce." Making a bechamel is a very basic technique in French cooking which begins with a roux, a cooked mixture of flour and butter, and after slowly whisking in milk, ends in a creamy sauce.

What does Alabama white sauce taste like? ›

What Does Alabama White Sauce Taste Like? Alabama white sauce has a creamy, tangy flavor that sets it apart from most barbecue sauces, which often have a tomato or ketchup base, with brown sugar, molasses, and hot pepper running through them for sweetness and spice.

What is the difference between white BBQ sauce and regular BBQ sauce? ›

It's won several awards over the years and this is how it got the name “Alabama White Sauce”. This sauce is different than traditional BBQ sauce because it's more peppery and tangy, and less sweet. It's made with a creamy mayonnaise base, instead of the traditional tomato base found in a classic red bbq sauce.

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.

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.

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