Alabama White Sauce (White BBQ Sauce) - Key To My Lime (2024)

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Alabama White BBQ Sauce is the perfect creamy, zesty, and tangy sauce to smother or dip your smoked chicken in. This mayonnaise-based BBQ sauce is paired with apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, and spices to give it tons of flavor.

Alabama White BBQ Sauce

Most of us are familiar with barbecue sauces that are made from a ketchup or tomato base, but did you know there’s another way to make it?

White BBQ sauce is a Southern favorite. This sauce is mayonnaise-based instead of tomato-based. It’s filled with flavor from the apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, mustard, and spices. Since there’s no tomatoes in it, that’s what gives it the signature white color.

This is one of the sauces that everyone has to try at least once. My bet is that after you try it, you’ll start keeping a jar in the fridge. That’s what we do – it makes the best dipping sauce for chicken, turkey, steak, pork chops, or even a fresh veggie tray.

Even though you can buy it at the store, it really is one of the sauces that I think tastes so much better homemade. Plus, you’ve probably already got all the ingredients you need in your pantry!

Alabama White Sauce is famous thanks to Robert Gibson at Big Bob Gibson Bar-B-Q in Decatur, Alabama. At Big Bob’s Bar-B-Q they’re know for dunking their famous smoked chicken in Alabama white sauce before serving it. Serving it this way allows the sauce to totally coat and cling to the meat, which totally coats the chicken in the amazing flavor.

This recipe is my take on the famous recipe. It shares the same sweet and tangy notes as their recipe, but it uses brown sugar instead of corn syrup, and I’ve added some additional spices for a little more zest and spice.

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What is Alabama White Sauce Made Of?

Mayonnaise: This is the base of the sauce. I definitely recommend using real mayonnaise instead of something like Miracle Whip, because the sweeter flavor will change the way the sauce tastes.

Mayonnaise is the perfect base in this recipe because it’s thick on its own, perfectly creamy, and lets the other flavors in the recipe shine through to make a delicious tangy creamy sauce.

Apple Cider Vinegar: Apple cider vinegar is the best vinegar to use for this recipe because it’s sweet and tangy (just like the sauce is supposed to be). White vinegar would be too overwhelming and powerful of a flavor.

Light Brown Sugar: This adds the sweetness that’s needed to balance out the apple cider vinegar. Having a little sweetness is really important to make this creamy sauce feel like a BBQ sauce.

Creamy Horseradish: I prefer using prepared creamy horseradish because it has less of a strong vinegar flavor than the not creamy varieties.

Dijon Mustard: Some people prefer to use spicy mustard brown, but after trying it both ways, I definitely preferred the flavor of Dijon mustard in this recipe.

Yellow Mustard: I found that using just Dijon was a little too overpowering when paired with the horseradish, so I like using a combination of Dijon and yellow mustard.

Lemon Juice: Just a little bit of freshly squeezed lemon juice adds a really lovely brightness to this sauce.

Spices: A combination of salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne pepper adds the best flavor combination to this dipping sauce.

The amount of cayenne pepper is dependent on your spice and color preference. I preferred the flavor with a little more cayenne pepper (1/2 teaspoon instead of 1/4 teaspoon), but it makes the sauce slightly more orange, which might bother you if you really want a white BBQ sauce.

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How To Make It

It couldn’t be any easier, and it only takes a couple of minutes! Just measure out all of the ingredients and add them to a bowl. Whisk them together until the sauce is totally smooth.

You can eat the sauce right away, or you can transfer it to an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator to let the flavors totally settle and mingle.

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What Do You Put Alabama White Sauce On?

White BBQ sauce is most known as a dipping sauce for smoked chicken, but it’s really delicious on pretty much any meat. Grilled chicken thighs, pulled pork, steak, ribs, pork chops, and pork tenderloin are all great options.

You can even use it as a vegetable dipping sauce.

It can also be used as the dressing for coleslaw, potato salad, or pasta salad!

It doesn’t stop there, it also makes a delicious taco sauce, sandwich spread, and burger sauce.

This is definitely a versatile sauce, so feel free to try it out with whatever you’d like!

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Keep In Touch

I’d love to hear what you thought of this recipe in the comments or on Instagram!@KeyToMyLime#KeyToMyLime

Click here to pin this recipe for later!

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Dipping Sauce Recipes

If you like this recipe, be sure to check out our entire sauce recipe section! Some reader favorite dipping sauces are:

  • Best Spicy Ranch Dressing
  • Cilantro Lime Sauce
  • Raising Cane’s Sauce
  • Cilantro Garlic Sauce

Yield: 12 servings

Alabama White Sauce (White BBQ Sauce) - Key To My Lime (6)

Alabama White BBQ Sauce is the perfect creamy, zesty, and tangy sauce to smother or dip your smoked chicken in. This mayonnaise-based BBQ sauce is paired with vinegar, brown sugar, and spices to give it tons of flavor.

Prep Time5 minutes

Total Time5 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 cup mayonnaise
  • 3 Tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 2 Tablespoons light brown sugar
  • 1 Tablespoon prepared creamy horseradish
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon yellow mustard
  • 1 teaspoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/4 - 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (depending on taste and color preference) *

Instructions

  1. Whisk all of the ingredients together in a small bowl. Use right away, or transfer it to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator. The sauce will taste the best after the flavors have had a chance to rest and mingle for 24 hours.

Notes

*I prefer the taste with 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper, but it does make the sauce more orange and less white. It’s totally up to you how much you include.

Nutrition Information:

Serving Size:

1/12
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 140Total Fat: 14.2gCarbohydrates: 2.7gFiber: 0.1gSugar: 2.3gProtein: 0.3g

Nutrition information isn’t always accurate.

DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?

Tag@KeyToMyLimeon Instagram so we can see your delicious meal!

If you’ve never tried white BBQ sauce, you’ve got to try it at least once! You’ll quickly see why everyone loves this Bama sauce.

Alabama White Sauce (White BBQ Sauce) - Key To My Lime (2024)

FAQs

Alabama White Sauce (White BBQ Sauce) - Key To My Lime? ›

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 Alabama White 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.

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 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.

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 flavor of Alabama White Sauce

At first taste, Alabama white sauce has a slightly cool, neutral flavor thanks to the mayonnaise, with the tang of the vinegar to offset any spice. Before long, you start to pick up the exciting flavors from the spice blend, making you want to take another bite ASAP.

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.

How old is Alabama White Sauce? ›

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.

Does Alabama White Sauce taste like ranch? ›

Classically white sauce drizzled over smoked chicken, but you can also use it on grilled or barbecued meats, wings, vegetables, pizza, burgers, and more. Does Alabama white sauce taste like ranch? No, Alabama white sauce is tangy with notes of vinegar and black pepper.

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.

What is the nickname 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.

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.

What are the two white sauces? ›

Béchamel – milk-based sauce, thickened with a white roux. Beurre blanc – Reduction of butter, vinegar, white wine and shallots.

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 is white BBQ made of? ›

Combine ingredients:

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

What is Alabama BBQ sauce made of? ›

How to Make Alabama White BBQ Sauce - the Recipe Steps. Add to a Large Bowl. First, add all of the ingredients to a large bowl - mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, brown mustard, brown sugar, horseradish, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, and salt and pepper.

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.

Where is Alabama white sauce from? ›

Alabama White Sauce was created by Robert Gibson at Big Bob Gibson's Bar-B-Q in Decatur, Alabama.

What is the white sauce Americans call gravy? ›

Smooth and creamy white gravy, one of the American South's most beloved and versatile sauces, is really just a variation of béchamel, which was brought to Louisiana by French explorers in the 17th century. Excellent draped over chicken fried steak, biscuits or.

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