Alabama White BBQ Sauce (for chicken and more!)
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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!
Why you’ll love this Alabama White Sauce recipe!
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.
Now is the perfect time to start collecting new and delicious summer cookout recipes to make this season extra special! Let’s get the party started now!
Ingredient notes
- Mayonnaise | What makes this classic BBQ sauce special is the mayonnaise base.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
How to make the best Alabama White BBQ Sauce
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!
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.
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!
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.
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!
Variations and substitutions
- Make it Lighter. Replace with crema or sour cream for a lighter texture without ruining the flavor, or Greek yogurt for a healthier alternative.
- Take Your Mustard Pick. Normally, I use spicy brown mustard in this recipe, but you may use Dijon mustard or creole mustard if preferred.
- Like it spicy? Use red cayenne pepper for extra heat!
Storage tips
White BBQ Sauce may be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Frequently asked questions
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.
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.
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.
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.
Looking for more easy dipping sauce recipes?
You know that crazy good sauce they serve at the Japanese steakhouse? Mix up a batch of Yum Yum Sauce at home in just 5 minutes! Or, make this healthy Tzatziki Sauce — it’s delicious on chicken wraps and more!
Serving suggestions
Use this BBQ sauce on top of my Pulled BBQ Beef, 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!
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Alabama White BBQ Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup distilled white vinegar
- 1 tablespoon spicy brown mustard
- 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- ½ 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
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.
Beyond the recipe
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 in Northern Alabama today and try sensational barbecue recipes!
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.
