Alabama White Sauce Recipe - How to Make White BBQ Sauce (2024)

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5 from 13 votes

By Hank Shaw

June 21, 2021 | Updated June 06, 2022

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I’ve eaten barbecue six ways to Sunday, all over the nation. By far the most offbeat BBQ sauce is Alabama white sauce, a specialty of the northern part of that state that is almost always used on chicken.

White BBQ sauce, as it’s also known, is super easy to make, keeps for a week or more in the fridge, and is good on more than just barbecued chicken.

Alabama White Sauce Recipe - How to Make White BBQ Sauce (2)

Said to be invented by Big Bob Gibson almost a century ago, Alabama white sauce is scandalously easy to make. Chances are you have most of the ingredients in your kitchen already.

White BBQ sauce tastes tart and only slightly creamy, despite the mayonnaise, which really just cuts the acidity of the apple cider vinegar to manageable levels. A bit of horseradish, a dash of Worcestershire, a touch of garlic, cayenne and mustard powder and you’re in business.

Some recipes use lemon juice, too, for flavor, and most use a little brown sugar… or a lot, depending on the cook. I don’t like my Alabama white sauce sweet, so I only add a touch to even things out.

The beauty of white BBQ sauce is that you tinker with it, and add things to your liking. And it’s all safe and easy because Alabama white sauce is not cooked. Yep, a no cook BBQ sauce.

My recipe below is what I like. Tart, zippy with the mayo and sugar just there to shave off the rough edges. Start with mine and go from there.

Once you get it where you like it, use your Alabama white sauce as a finishing sauce on barbecue. What you see in the pictures are smoked turkey wings from a spring gobbler. Chicken is customary, but white BBQ sauce is really good as a salad dressing — take that ranch! — and is great to dip chicken wings in, or to use on pulled pork or even smoked pork chops.

Alabama White Sauce Recipe - How to Make White BBQ Sauce (3)

And, untraditionally, Alabama white sauce is great on fried fish. I like it over fried speckled trout especially, but it’s good with a Southern crappie fry, too.

Any leftovers will keep in the fridge for a couple weeks. The sauce might separate, but shake it and it will be as good as new.

5 from 13 votes

Alabama White Sauce

A simple, quick, no-cook barbecue sauce that's traditionally poured over chicken, but other poultry, pork or fish are good uses, too. It's also a great salad dressing.

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Course: Condiment, Sauce

Cuisine: Southern

Servings: 8 servings

Author: Hank Shaw

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 0 minutes minutes

Total Time: 10 minutes minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 3 teaspoons prepared horseradish
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/2 teaspoon mustard powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice (optional)
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar (optional)

Instructions

  • Whisk everything together until well combined. Use chilled or at room temperature.

Video

Notes

Once made, this sauce will keep for a couple weeks in the fridge.

Nutrition

Calories: 204kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 13g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 12mg | Sodium: 208mg | Potassium: 50mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 72IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 9mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Tried this recipe? Tag me today!Mention @huntgathercook or tag #hankshaw!

Categorized as:
American Recipes, Featured, How-To (DIY stuff), Recipe, Southern, Wild Game

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About Hank Shaw

Hey there. Welcome to Hunter Angler Gardener Cook, the internet’s largest source of recipes and know-how for wild foods. I am a chef, author, and yes, hunter, angler, gardener, forager and cook. Follow me on Instagram and on Facebook.

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Alabama White Sauce Recipe - How to Make White BBQ Sauce (2024)

FAQs

What is Alabama white barbecue 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 are the ingredients in Mission BBQ white sauce? ›

You asked for it, you got it. Let's make Alabama White Sauce. In a bowl, combine mayonnaise, horseradish, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, salt, pepper, garlic, cayenne, and whisk that all together.

What is the hallmark of Alabama style barbecue sauce? ›

This BBQ sauce stands in contrast to others both in color and taste—it is built on a mayo and vinegar base with spices to produce a tangy (rather than sweet, tomato-based) BBQ sauce.

How do you thicken white BBQ sauce? ›

Pectin. One of the best options as to how to thicken a BBQ sauce is to use pectin. Depending on where you get it from, pectin can come in two different varieties; high- and low-methoxyl pectin. Both however are available in the bakery aisle of many supermarkets and are typically made from apple cores or citrus rinds.

What is made of white sauce? ›

This white sauce can be used to make country gravy, macaroni and cheese, chicken pot pie, lasagna, and so much more. You can also make other sauces from this base. For instance: Make cream sauce by adding heavy cream.

What does Ivory barbecue sauce taste like? ›

It tastes like a lame cole slaw dressing, like mayo mixed with vinegar. Disappointed, and I'm stuck with two bottles. Great BBQ sauce and okay for keto! It does contain worcestershire, so keep that in mind.

What gives BBQ sauce its distinct flavor? ›

Worcestershire sauce: Worcestershire sauce is a savory condiment commonly used in BBQ sauce. It adds depth of flavor and umami notes. Liquid smoke: Liquid smoke is an optional ingredient used to give BBQ sauce a smoky flavor reminiscent of traditional barbecue cooking methods.

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 can I use instead of white vinegar in BBQ sauce? ›

The needed acidity for balance is there but without all the sharp edges of white vinegar. Whether you're using your barbecue sauce on pulled pork, ribs, chicken, or meatballs, a little apple cider vinegar can really improve the flavor.

What is the oldest brand of BBQ sauce? ›

The Georgia Barbecue Sauce Company in Atlanta was the first company to commercially sell barbeque sauce in 1909, and it turned out to be a huge success. Consumers ate it up, literally, and in 1940 Heinz became the first company to sell it by the bottle.

What is the most popular BBQ sauce in the United States? ›

The top 5 brands listed above account for over 60% of the total barbecue sauce market in the United States. Sweet Baby Ray's is the clear market leader, with sales of over 198 million US dollars in 2022. Stubb's and Kraft are also very popular brands, with sales of over 150 million US dollars each.

What BBQ sauce does Bobby Flay use? ›

Bobby Flay's Tips For Jazzing Up Store-Bought Barbecue Sauce

The one barbecue sauce he can't stop using is the Bone Suckin' brand, as he revealed while giving a tour of his pantry on Instagram.

What is white barbecue sauce made of? ›

Combine mayonnaise, vinegar, water, Worcestershire sauce, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, pepper, and hot sauce in a small bowl. Stir together until smooth.

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.

What is the best thickener for white sauce? ›

Use Flour and Water

Combine 2 tablespoons flour with every 1/4 cup cold water and whisk until smooth. Add the mixture to your sauce over medium heat, and continue to stir and cook until you've reached your desired consistency.

Does Alabama white sauce taste like ranch? ›

If your white sauce tastes like ranch, that's another sign you're not quite on the right track. Ranch is thin and buttermilky, while white sauce should be thicker and richer, with more tang from the vinegar. It will have a bite similar to that of Carolina BBQ sauce.

Is white sauce alfredo sauce? ›

Alfredo sauce is a classic cream sauce used in countless pasta dishes. Also known as a white sauce or “pasta in blanco”, alfredo blends simple ingredients and turns them into a rich, indulgent delight.

What is Kansas City's most famous barbecue cut? ›

Burnt ends are the crusty, fatty, flavorful meat cut from the point of a smoked beef brisket. Side dishes include a unique style of baked beans, French fries, and coleslaw.

What is New York City white sauce? ›

A combination of mayonnaise and Greek yogurt, plus seasonings, nail that classic halal-cart white sauce. Iceberg lettuce and tomato may seem like strange additions, but they're essential elements of this famous New York City street food.

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