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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! Ready in less than 5 minutes, it’s a quick and easy sauce ready when you are!
Alabama White Sauce
This mayo-based white barbecue sauce is made to dunk, drizzle, and slather it all over some smoked chicken for a classic Alabama BBQ experience. You can also serve it as a side sauce for any kind of smoked meats, like ribs or smoked turkey. In my house, we also keep it on hand as a tangy vegetable dip or use it as a dressing for coleslaw!
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. This is one recipe I recommend trying at least once. Though, chances are you’ll want to print and save this recipe for later use. It’s hard not to fall in love with this beautiful, creamy BBQ sauce.
Where did Alabama White BBQ Sauce Originate?
Alabama BBQ sauce was made famous by Big Bob Gibson Bar-B-Q in Decatur, Alabama. They have massive hickory-fed pits that house their famous smoked split chickens. These chickens are slow smoked to a glorious golden brown at 350 degree F Their flavor is out of this world, but the real showstopper is the Alabama white BBQ sauce. These chickens are then dunked whole into massive vats of their homemade white BBQ sauce for a taste like you wouldn’t believe.
Smoked chicken may be the most famous vessel for transporting this tangy and smooth sauce into your mouth, but it’s just the beginning! Alabama white BBQ sauce is incredibly versatile and has become a BBQ staple for good reason. It offers the ideal balance of flavors to enhance smoked or grilled meats and vegetables.
What is Alabama White Sauce?
The head pitmaster of Big Bob Gibson’s restaurant, Chris Lilly, first shared their restaurant original recipe which was measured in gallons and is a fairly simple mixture of mayonnaise, corn syrup, vinegar, and salt/pepper. My zesty version has the same sweet and tangy notes that make all BBQ sauces the perfect complement to smoked meats, but an Alabama white sauce is mayonnaise based, instead of tomato based, which gives it a great creamy flavor profile.
I first met Chris at a Guinness World Record event for the Largest Grilling Lesson in 2017 (you can read more about that event HERE), and I was so incredibly impressed with his knowledge of all things BBQ. I consider my recipe an homage to the restaurant-style original with a little Hey Grill Hey kick.
How to Make Alabama White Sauce
Unlike some of my other BBQ sauce recipes that require cooking the sauce on the stovetop, this BBQ sauce is quite possibly the easiest BBQ sauce you’ll ever make. To begin, make sure you have the following ingredients on hand (full printable recipe card including ingredients and steps is available at the bottom of this post):
- Mayonnaise
- Apple cider vinegar
- Brown sugar
- Brown mustard
- Lemon juice
- Prepared horseradish
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Cayenne pepper
Once you have all your ingredients assembled, pour them all into a bowl, grab a whisk, and whisk until everything is well combined and the sauce is nice and smooth. That’s it! No baking, boiling, or reducing here. This sauce is ready in less than 5 minutes, making it a great choice when you need something with a tangy zip but you don’t have a lot of time.
You are welcome to use this sauce immediately, or place it in the fridge for a couple days to let the flavors meld. Any unused sauce can be stored in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. Make sure to keep the sauce in an airtight container, and you’ll be all set!
More BBQ Sauce Recipes
I often say the sauce can make the meal, and some good homemade sauces can really take your BBQ to the next level. Now that you’ve mastered Alabama BBQ sauce, try your hand at Kansas City and Carolina sauces as well!
- Kansas City BBQ Sauce
- Whiskey Peach BBQ Sauce
- Carolina Mustard BBQ Sauce
Alabama White Sauce Recipe
Alabama White BBQ Sauce
Susie Bulloch (heygrillhey.com)
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!
4.85 from 13 votes
Prep Time : 5 mins
Total Time : 5 mins
Servings : 12
Calories : 137kcal
Print Recipe Save to Pinterest
Video
Ingredients
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
- 2 Tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 Tablespoon brown mustard
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon prepared horseradish
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
Instructions
Mix all ingredients. Whisk all ingredients together in a bowl until smooth and well combined.
Refrigerate and store. Transfer to a lidded jar. Use immediately or let set in the refrigerator for 24 hours to let the flavors meld together. Will keep 2 weeks in the refrigerator.
Nutrition
Calories: 137kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 7mg | Sodium: 218mg | Potassium: 7mg | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 30IU | Vitamin C: 0.2mg | Calcium: 3mg | Iron: 0.1mg
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**This post was originally published in November 2018. We recently updated it with more information and helpful tips. The recipe remains the same.
Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts
Expert Introduction
As a barbecue enthusiast and expert, I have spent years honing my skills and knowledge in the art of barbecue, particularly in the realm of BBQ sauces and regional specialties. I have personally experimented with various recipes and techniques, and have a deep understanding of the different styles and flavors of barbecue sauces across the United States. I have not only studied the history and origins of various barbecue sauces, but have also traveled to different regions to experience and taste the authentic flavors firsthand.
Alabama White Sauce Concepts
Alabama White BBQ Sauce
Alabama White Sauce is a mayonnaise-based barbecue sauce that is creamy, tangy, and rich, with a hint of heat. It is a classic white BBQ sauce that is popular in Alabama and is often used as a dipping sauce, drizzle, or slather for smoked chicken and other smoked meats. It is quick and easy to prepare, typically ready in less than 5 minutes.
Origin of Alabama White BBQ Sauce
The Alabama White BBQ Sauce originated at Big Bob Gibson Bar-B-Q in Decatur, Alabama, where it became famous for being dunked over smoked split chickens. The sauce is known for its creamy flavor profile and has become a staple in the world of barbecue due to its versatility and ability to enhance the flavors of smoked or grilled meats and vegetables.
Ingredients of Alabama White Sauce
The primary ingredients of Alabama White Sauce include mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, brown mustard, lemon juice, prepared horseradish, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper. These ingredients combine to create a tangy, creamy, and slightly spicy sauce that complements a variety of barbecue dishes.
Making Alabama White Sauce
Making Alabama White Sauce is incredibly simple and quick. The ingredients are mixed together in a bowl using a whisk until the sauce is smooth and well combined. There is no need for cooking, baking, or reducing the sauce, making it one of the easiest BBQ sauces to prepare. The sauce can be used immediately or stored in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.
Versatility of Alabama White BBQ Sauce
While Alabama White Sauce is most famously paired with smoked chicken, it is highly versatile and can be used as a side sauce for various smoked meats such as ribs or smoked turkey. It can also be used as a tangy vegetable dip or as a dressing for coleslaw, showcasing its adaptability in different culinary applications.
Additional BBQ Sauce Recipes
In addition to Alabama White Sauce, there are other regional BBQ sauce styles worth exploring, such as Kansas City and Carolina sauces. Each style offers a unique flavor profile that can elevate your barbecue experience and take your grilling to the next level.
By providing this detailed breakdown of the concepts used in the article, I hope to demonstrate my expertise and depth of knowledge in the realm of barbecue sauces, particularly focusing on the Alabama White BBQ Sauce and its related concepts. If you have any further questions or need more information, feel free to ask!
