Alabama White BBQ Sauce
Alabama White Sauce is a zesty, tangy, creamy and all around better version of regular barbecue sauce that will have you licking your fingers clean. Try this white bbq sauce on smoked chicken, ribs, pork chops, and even as a dip for french fries!
I can’t resist a tangy sauce on any meat really!
What is Alabama White Sauce?
This white bbq sauce recipe is a tangy, creamy, mayonnaise based sauce that is perfect for chicken and pork. I love to dip my chicken wings in it. Really it’s good for just about anything!
Not just for putting on after the meat is cooked, this white sauce is perfect for marinating your meat beforehand, basting it while you are cooking it, and for coating and dipping it afterwards.
Originating from Big Bob Gibson Bar, in northern Alabama is credited with this delicious and controversial sauce. I do believe that Old Robert Gibson knew what he was doing when he made this!
What does it taste like?
White barbecue sauce hits all the right spots in your mouth. Tangy, zesty, slightly spicy, and a hint of sweetness describes this sauce.
Not to mention it has so many uses and is the hands down favorite of bbq lovers from Alabama.
Even though it’s not as thick as regular sauce, the mayo brings just the right amount of creaminess to make it perfect for just about any food! This is why the sauce is so controversial. The addition of the mayo keeps the smoked chicken from drying out.
Don’t forget to make extra for dipping!
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Ingredients Needed
Mayo – Duke’s is my favorite of all time but feel free to use plain Greek yogurt or even Miracle Whip if you prefer. I have even made this with sour cream.
Spices – The spices are the typical ones for bbq like garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Cayenne pepper is another one that is added but I prefer a few dashes of hot sauce. Throw in some onion powder if you need more onion flavor.
Mustard – Spicy brown is a great one to use. If you are looking for a slightly different profile, try adding Dijon or honey mustard.
Horseradish – If you like it hot, you can add extra hot prepared or grated horseradish but I like to use a prepared horseradish sauce. You can find it near the deli section.
Kitchen staples – Distilled vinegar or apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, and lemon juice.
Some recipes like to add a little sugar to balance out the tang but I don’t. If you like that little added sweetness feel free to add in some honey, brown sugar, or white sugar. Just be sure to start small.
How to Make Alabama White Sauce
First: In a large bowl, combine the mayonnaise, vinegar, horseradish , and mustard. Stir to combine.
Second: Add in the spices, lemon juice, and Worcestershire sauce. Stir to combine.
Third: Taste and add hot sauce if desired. Serve with your favorite meats!
For the full recipe and detailed instructions, please refer to the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
How long does it last?
If stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, it will last up to 5 days. I don’t recommend freezing it as the mayo will separate.
Alabama White Sauce Uses
- marinade for chicken
- coleslaw dressing
- sandwich spread
- drizzle on pulled pork
- french fry dip
- salad dressing
- pizza sauce
- dressing for potato salad
If I use this as a marinade or for basting, do I need any other seasonings or dry rubs?
This sauce contains everything you need in my opinion. Maybe that’s why it’s considered an all-purpose sauce in Alabama.
But if you prefer extra seasoning check out my BBQ seasoning recipe and chicken seasoning. If you prefer a more traditional bbq sauce that’s fine. I personally love a mustard based sauce from South Carolina. Mostly because it is tangy and not overly sweet like other tomato based sauces.
This is the exact reason why this white bbq sauce is my new favorite. If you like tangy vinegar based dressings, then this bbq sauce is for you! They tend to be thinner in consistency just like this one.
Use it as a dipping sauce for your Cajun fries too!
Tapas Tips & Tricks
- If you can’t find creamy horseradish sauce, try prepared horseradish sauce.
- If you don’t want to use regular mayo, try Miracle Whip or plain Greek yogurt.
- Is the sauce too thick when you make it? Thin it out with a little extra vinegar or water.
- Need a little sweetness to balance it out? Try a teaspoon or two of honey.
- Make a double or triple batch and store it in a mason jar in the fridge.
If you love this recipe as much as I do, please write a five-star review in the comment section below (or on Pinterest with the “tried it” button – you can now add pictures into reviews, too!), and be sure to help me share on facebook!
This Alabama White BBQ Sauce will change the way you think about bbq sauce recipes whether you are from North Carolina or Texas. Your smoked or grilled chicken will shine with extra flavor!
Alabama White Barbeque Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup vinegar white or apple cider
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard Dijon/spicy brown optional
- 2 teaspoons horseradish creamy, prepared
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce optional
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 dashes hot sauce optional
Instructions
- Mix all ingredients together and store in an air tight container in the fridge until ready to serve.
- Use with your favorite finger foods!
Notes
- If you can’t find creamy horseradish sauce, try prepared horseradish sauce.
- If you don’t want to use regular mayo, try Miracle Whip or plain Greek yogurt.
- Is the sauce too thick when you make it? Thin it out with a little extra vinegar or water.
- Need a little sweetness to balance it out? Try a teaspoon or two of honey.
- Make a double or triple batch and store it in a mason jar in the fridge.
Nutrition
{Originally posted 4/10/20 – photos and recipe notes updated 3/11/2022 to improve reader experience}
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Can’t wait to try it
Can you can this in a water base canning mason jars
I have never tried it but would be wary with mayo involved.
Loved this sauce so much! Tried with pulled pork and chicken and it’s amazing! Will be keeping this recipe for sure.
How can you write about AWS, and not mention Big Bob Gibson?
Didn’t mean to leave it out. Will add:)
How long can you keep this in the fridge? We made it a week ago and still have some.
It will be good for up to 2 weeks:)
A new fav!
I really love this BBQ sauce, because it is NOT SWEET! Almost all of the sauces in the grocery store are soooooo sweet. I started making my own BBQ sauces, because of this. One of my favorites is made with Chipotles in Adobo Sauce & no sugar. Now that I have found this Creamy White Alabama Sauce, I have another favorite……I may even try mixing some of it into my Cipotle Sauce. LOL
Definitely go with apple cider vinegar and mayonnaise. I started with white distilled 1/2 a cup to give it a try, but it was no where near as good as the ACV. Miracle Whip is fine, but it adds a weird sweetness. Worcestershire sauce countered the Miracle whip sweetness. Could stand for lemon juice, but we’re out 🙁 Still good! Thanks!
I have not had the original, but have tried a few versions at various BBQ joints in the Chicago suburbs. Looking forward to hitting the carolinas soon to work this mystery out!
So good on pulled pork. I love this recipe!
I had high hopes for this and maybe it’s just not for our tastebuds, but it has way too much apple cider vinegar in it. Too runny as well. I ended up doubling the mayo and seasonings just to thicken it up and cut down on the ACV taste. I will definitely try it again, but with a smidge of the ACV. Thank you.
I totally understand. I prefer sauces a little on the thin side and extra tangy. The best thing about making things homemade is that you can make them to fit your tastebuds and preferences. Enjoy!
@Jennifer, I am going to try this sauce because I can’t do tomatoes base
You will love it!!
Hi there, I’m interested to try this sauce, however, here in the Philippines the horseradish is somehow hard to find. What do you recommend as alternative for horseradish? Your immediately response i hightly appreciated.
Feel free to use wasabi if you have that on hand. You can also just add a little hot sauce to it instead.
Thank you so much for letting me share this recipe for Freaky Friday Blog Hop! Seriously the BEST BBQ sauce I’ve ever tried. Now it’s a staple in the fridge because DANG it’s just that good. Hats off to you – YUM!!!
We’re smoking a chicken for dinner and I came across this recipe. This sauce is delicious and I can’t wait to dip into it tonight!
Awesome sauce. I was looking for something different and tangy, this definitely fit the bill.
Made this as a last min addition to BBQ dinner and it’s exactly what I was looking for. I had everything except the horseradish sauce which I picked up real quick. Thank you!! I needed this 🙂 🙂
So glad you liked it! I haven’t had ketchup based BBQ sauce since I made it!
This tasted JUST like I remembered it from a vacation a few years back! So happy to have this recipe!
This is one of my all-time favorite BBQ sauces! The flavors are so incredible and it’s so versatile! We use it on all the things!
So creamy and tasty! We loved in our a grilled wings for dinner! Very addictive – in the best way! Yum!
If you poured this on my arm I would eat it. This sauce goes so well on so many dishes and instead of taking over, it just enhances a good dish to an amazing dish!
I wasn’t familiar with a white barbecue sauce and my family saw this one and wanted it for a snack night. Wow, it was amazing!
This is a great recipe I recently tried and loved it
YUM, this is right up my alley! My husband is from Alabama and loves BBQ, so this is going to be great next time I made BBQ. Thanks
Never heard of a white sauce, I can’t wait to try it!