This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

If you’re looking for a unique barbecue recipe with plenty of sweetness and the perfect touch of heat, look no further than this tasty Alabama White BBQ Sauce that’s perfect for grilled chicken, pork chops, and more! Now is the perfect time to start collecting new and delicious summer cookout recipes to make this season extra special! 

drizzling Alabama white sauce over fried chicken legs.

Who else can’t wait for summer to come around? I know I’m excited! But why wait? Don’t stand around anticipating the sunny season and all the incredible BBQ recipes. Let’s get the party started now!

Key ingredients & substitutions for Alabama White Sauce

  • Mayonnaise | What makes this classic BBQ sauce special is the mayonnaise base. Replace with crema or sour cream for a lighter texture without ruining the flavor, or Greek yogurt for a healthier alternative.
  • Vinegar | For just the right amount of tanginess, add distilled white vinegar, or substitute with apple cider vinegar for extra tanginess or white wine vinegar.
  • Mustard | Spicy brown mustard brings some heat and more tangy flavor. Replace with Dijon mustard or creole mustard if preferred.
  • Lemon juice | Brighten the BBQ sauce with a splash of fresh lemon juice.
  • Salt and pepper | Sprinkle in kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to round out the taste.
  • Garlic | Add minced garlic cloves for robust garlic notes.
  • Paprika | I like to add some paprika to give the sauce a smoky flavor, but you can also use cayenne for extra heat.
  • Worcestershire sauce| Bring a savory and rich taste with a few drops of Worcestershire sauce.
  • Hot sauce | Add a swirl of your favorite hot sauce to complete the heat of this BBQ sauce.
  • Brown sugar | Use dark brown sugar to sweeten the creamy and tangy sauce or add honey, if preferred.

For similar sauce recipes, check out my BBQ Ranch Dressing & Dipping Sauce, this classic and EASY Homemade BBQ Sauce, and my spicy and sweet Honey Sriracha Sauce!

How to make the Best Alabama White Sauce Recipe

Alabama White Sauce is so easy to make and super versatile. Skip the store-bought bottle and make this easy sauce yourself. The flavor is fresher and more authentic! 

ingredients for Alabama White Sauce in a glass bowl on a table with jars of mayo and hot sauce in the background,

STEP 1 | Combine ingredients

Just whisk together all ingredients in a medium bowl. Then, cover it tightly and refrigerate until you’re ready to serve.

a whisk in a bowl of Alabama white sauce on a table .

Must-Have Whisk

With its soft, comfortable, and non-slip handle, this OXO whisk will be your go-to for all your whipping and aerating needs!

oxo balloon whisk

STEP 2 | Store and serve

Store this homemade BBQ sauce recipe in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.

tips

  • As far as the heat goes for this white bbq sauce recipe, easily crank it up or reduce it by adding small amounts of the spicier ingredients, tasting as you go. Once the sauce is at your preferred heat level, you’re good to go!
  • Add horseradish for a deeper and more complex flavor, if desired.
a wooden spoon stirring Alabama white sauce in a bowl.

Frequently asked questions

What does Alabama White BBQ Sauce taste like?

Alabama white barbecue sauce is creamy, subtly sweet, and tangy with a kick of heat. Most BBQ sauces are made with a base of ketchup or tomatoes. What causes this white BBQ sauce to stand out is the tangy vinegar and creamy mayo base.

Can you freeze homemade BBQ sauce?

Some homemade barbecue sauces freeze well, but because the base of today’s Alabama white sauce is mayonnaise, it doesn’t freeze well. The mayo separates, and the sauce will be watery after thawing. It’s best served made fresh or stored in the refrigerator in a mason jar for up to one week.

How do you use Alabama White BBQ sauce?

Use this irresistible creamy BBQ sauce on smoked chicken breasts, chicken tenders, baked chicken wings, pork tenderloin, burgers, salads, slaws, or even grilled veggies. It can also be a dipping sauce for french fries, chips, pulled pork sandwiches, and more.

Is Alabama white sauce hot?

Traditionally, white barbecue sauce has some heat to it. Making it at home allows you to adjust the spice level. However, if you order this sauce at a restaurant, the heat will vary, so it’s best to ask your server or the staff.

a bowl of Alabama white BBQ sauce on a table with a platter of chicken to the side.

Serving suggestions

Use this BBQ sauce on top of my Slow Cooker Beefy BBQ Spuds, in this delish BBQ Chicken Pizza, or on BBQ Chicken Tostadas — all are excellent for any summer event, especially outdoor cookouts.

For extra special occasions, serve your homemade Alabama white sauce instead of red barbecue sauce with air-fried chicken legs, this Smoked Boston Butt, or my beef brisket made on an electric smoker!

a bowl of Alabama white BBQ sauce in the foreground with a platter of chicken legs in the background.

Behind the recipe: Alabama White BBQ Sauce

Several southern states are known for specific recipes that can be classified in the BBQ category.

Tennessee has the best dry ribs, South Carolina has its delicious mustard BBQ sauce, and Alabama claims the origins of white BBQ sauce made with mayonnaise instead of more traditional ketchup or tomato sauce. 

Mayo was first used in barbecue sauce to help meat not dry out as it is smoked for hours. Bob Gibson, otherwise known as Big Bob, began using mayonnaise in his BBQ sauce when cooking for family and friends to tackle the same obstacle.

Who knew it would become Alabama’s signature contribution to the BBQ world? 

Gibson opened his restaurant in 1925, and it’s been on the menu ever since. You can visit the restaurant today in Northern Alabama and try all kinds of sensational barbecue recipes!

Please share!

Your shares are how this site grows, and I appreciate each one. Do you know someone who would enjoy this recipe? I’d love it if you would share it on Facebook or Pinterest!

a bowl of Alabama white BBQ sauce on a table with a checked napkin and wooden spoon.

Alabama White BBQ Sauce

For a unique barbecue sauce recipe with sweet heat, Alabama White BBQ Sauce is just right for grilled chicken, pork, and more!
5 from 2 votes
Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Course Condiments & Sauces
Cuisine American
Servings 8 servings
Calories 197 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/4 cup distilled white vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon spicy brown mustard
  • 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon minced garlic
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/2 teaspoon hot sauce
  • 1 teaspoon dark brown sugar

Instructions
 

  • Whisk together all ingredients in a medium bowl. Cover tightly and refrigerate until ready to serve.
  • Store in the refrigerator for up to a week.

Notes

  • As far as the heat goes for this white bbq sauce recipe, easily crank it up or reduce it by adding small amounts of the spicier ingredients, tasting as you go. Once the sauce is at your preferred heat level, you’re good to go!
  • Add horseradish for a deeper and more complex flavor, if desired.

Nutrition

Calories: 197kcalCarbohydrates: 1gProtein: 0.4gFat: 21gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 13gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 12mgSodium: 361mgPotassium: 22mgFiber: 0.2gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 83IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 7mgIron: 0.2mg

Life Love and Good Food does not claim to be a registered dietician or nutritionist. Nutritional information shared on this site is only an estimate. We recommend running the ingredients through an online nutritional calculator if you need to verify any information.

Keyword barbecue, dipping sauce, mayonnaise, white barbeque sauce
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was.
Sheila Thigpen, blogger

About Sheila Thigpen

Recipe Developer, Food Photographer, Food Writer

Sheila Thigpen is the publisher of Life, Love, and Good Food — a Southern food blog — and the author of Easy Chicken Cookbook and The 5-Ingredient Fresh and Easy Cookbook. After 20+ years in the publishing industry, she retired in 2018 to focus on her own creative endeavors full time. She and her husband live near the beautiful Smoky Mountains and have a precious little granddaughter who has stolen their hearts. As an influencer, Sheila has collaborated with brands like Creamette, Kroger, HERSHEY’S, Hamilton Beach, Garafalo Pasta, OXO, Smithfield, Valley Fig Growers, and more.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.