Alabama White Sauce - this White BBQ Sauce Recipe is a Favorite. (2024)

Jill Mills

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For a creamy and tangy take on barbecue sauce, make this fantastic Alabama White Sauce! So simple to whip up in minutes, you’ll love serving this special sauce with grilled meats, chicken wings, or even on hamburgers.

Alabama White Sauce - this White BBQ Sauce Recipe is a Favorite. (2)

Featured Comment

This sauce is absolutely AMAZING!!!! I use it for deep fried wild turkey nugget dipping sauce, and on salads, and on pan fried eggplant. The whole family loved it!!!

– Jaime Johnson

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Alabama White BBQ Sauce

This Alabama White Sauce is one of those special recipes that everyone will be asking you to make for the next barbecue or cookout. It has a creamy texture with a really nice zesty flavor. Try it on all sorts of different meats (it’s fantastic on grilled chicken!) or even use it as a marinade before grilling and a basting sauce during grilling.

So many sauces and condiments can be homemade! Here are some of our favorites: Fry Sauce 4 Ways | Homemade Pizza Sauce | Yum Yum Sauce | Homemade BBQ Sauce Recipe | Copycat Chick-fil-A Sauce

Alabama White Sauce - this White BBQ Sauce Recipe is a Favorite. (3)

What Does White BBQ Sauce Taste Like?

White BBQ sauce tastes very different from the more traditional tomato-based sauces. It actually uses mayonnaise as its base, and while that might sound strange, let me tell you: it is SO GOOD. This easy sauce is tangy, slightly sweet, and has a hint of spice.

Why is it Called Alabama Sauce?

The name comes from the place where this sauce was invented. Alabama white sauce was created by Robert Gibson at Big Bob Gibson’s Bar-B-Q in Decatur, Alabama. He would make huge amounts of this BBQ sauce and then dip chicken it in before serving. My mouth is watering just thinking about it!

Alabama White Sauce - this White BBQ Sauce Recipe is a Favorite. (4)

What You’ll Need

Here’s what you’ll need to make Alabama White BBQ Sauce (the exact measurements and full recipe instructions are below in the easy to print recipe card):

  • Mayonnaise – This is an important ingredient as it serves as the base of the sauce. Use regular full-fat mayonnaise and not salad dressing.
  • Apple cider vinegar – Most people use apple cider vinegar in their Alabama white sauce, but if you don’t enjoy that flavor, it will work to use white vinegar.
  • Dijon mustard
  • Worcestershire sauce
  • Garlic powder
  • Onion powder
  • Black pepper
  • Salt
Alabama White Sauce - this White BBQ Sauce Recipe is a Favorite. (5)

How to Make Alabama White Sauce

It is so easy to make this sauce it almost doesn’t count as a recipe. Are you ready?

There is one step: In a medium mixing bowl, whisk all ingredients together until smooth.

How’s that for maximum flavor for zero effort?!

Variation Ideas

Now that you know how to make the basic sauce, it’s time to start thinking about ways to mix things up. (Assuming you want to, the original recipe is so tasty I wouldn’t blame you for just sticking with that tried-and-true version!)

Here are some ideas:

  • Lemon – Add a squeeze of fresh lemon to the sauce for a nice kick of flavor.
  • Horseradish – For an extra bold sauce, try adding some prepared horseradish.
  • Cayenne – If you’re a fan of a spicier white bbq sauce, try mixing in some cayenne pepper.
  • Brown sugar – Some people like their sauce with a hint of sweetness, so you can add a little brown sugar to taste.
  • Buttermilk – Many folks add a couple of tablespoons of buttermilk to their sauce to thin it out a little.
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Ways to Use this Sauce

There are so many ways to use this tangy sauce. I love dipping chicken fingers or BBQ chicken in it. You can also spoon it over grilled steak, drizzle it on your burger, or even put it on baked salmon. I know some people who like to dip their pizza in it! I know that sounds unexpected but it’s not that much different than dipping pizza in ranch dressing (which is seriously addictive, you should try it.)

Here are some recipes on my site that would go well with white BBQ sauce:

  • Crispy Chicken Tenders
  • Coca Cola Air Fryer Chicken Wings
  • Kentucky Bourbon Chicken Wings
  • Garlic Butter Steak Bites

How to Store

Keep the sauce in a jar or bottle with a lid in the refrigerator for up to one week. It’s so easy to make, you can always whip up a fresh bottle whenever it’s needed.

Alabama White Sauce - this White BBQ Sauce Recipe is a Favorite. (7)

Alabama White Sauce - this White BBQ Sauce Recipe is a Favorite. (8)

5 from 141 votes

Alabama White Sauce

For a creamy and tangy take on barbecue sauce, make this fantastic Alabama White BBQ Sauce! So simple to whip up in minutes, you'll love serving this special sauce with grilled meats, chicken wings, or even on hamburgers.

Servings: 12

Prep: 10 minutes mins

Cook: 0 minutes mins

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Ingredients

Instructions

  • In a medium mixing bowl, whisk all ingredients together until smooth. Store in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

Last Step:

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Nutrition

Calories: 49kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 3mg | Sodium: 256mg | Potassium: 22mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 15IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 5mg | Iron: 1mg

Did You Make This?

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Alabama White Sauce - this White BBQ Sauce Recipe is a Favorite. (9)

Categories:

  • Recipes
  • Seasonings and Sauces
  • Summer
Alabama White Sauce - this White BBQ Sauce Recipe is a Favorite. (10)
Alabama White Sauce - this White BBQ Sauce Recipe is a Favorite. (2024)

FAQs

What is Alabama White BBQ sauce made of? ›

What is white BBQ 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.

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.

Who made Alabama white sauce famous? ›

However, northern Alabama gets the credit for white barbeque sauce, a truly unique option. The origin of Alabama white sauce can be traced back to one man: Robert Lee Gibson, better known as Big Bob Gibson, of Decatur, Alabama. Gibson earned his nickname from his size — 6'4 and 300 pounds — and an appetite to match.

Does Alabama white sauce taste like ranch? ›

If your white sauce tastes like ranch, that's another sign you're not quite on the right track. Ranch is thin and buttermilky, while white sauce should be thicker and richer, with more tang from the vinegar. It will have a bite similar to that of Carolina BBQ sauce.

What does Alabama White BBQ taste like? ›

The tangy flavor is kind of like ranch dressing, and just as dangerously addictive. It's also every bit as versatile: Big Bob's recommends pouring it on chicken, pork, seafood and turkey, and using it as the secret ingredient in homemade cole slaw and potato salad.

What does Alabama white BBQ sauce taste like? ›

What Does Alabama White Sauce Taste Like? Alabama white sauce has a creamy, tangy flavor that sets it apart from most barbecue sauces, which often have a tomato or ketchup base, with brown sugar, molasses, and hot pepper running through them for sweetness and spice.

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.

What do you eat Alabama white sauce on? ›

Not only is Alabama white sauce great on barbecue, but it also makes an excellent dip for veggies, salad dressing, and coleslaw dressing. You can even spread it on burgers or use it as a dipping sauce for fries.

What is the history of Alabama white BBQ 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.

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.

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.

Who makes Alabama White BBQ sauce? ›

Visit Big Bob Gibson Bar-B-Q in Decatur, Ala., and you'll find a barbecue sauce unlike any on the planet. Created by a railroad worker-turned-pit master in the 1920s, this piquant mixture of mayonnaise, vinegar and black pepper has accompanied barbecued chicken for five generations of pit masters.

What's the difference between BBQ sauce and white 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.

Does white sauce taste like alfredo? ›

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.

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 white sauce made of? ›

What Is In White Sauce? This traditional white sauce starts with a roux of equal parts all-purpose flour and butter, which gives the sauce a rich and creamy base. Whole milk thins the butter-flour mixture, turning the roux into a sauce.

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