Alabama White Barbecue Sauce
Today, I’m bringing you a real rarity. In fact, it is pretty much unheard of outside of North Alabama. White BBQ Sauce, even my husband (who is from a town in Georgia only four hours away) had never heard of it. A lot of folks in south Alabama have never heard of it.
This is truly a regional thing, but also a regional requirement. EVERY BBQ restaurant in North Alabama features white bbq sauce on their menu, their meats, and their tables and North Alabamians eat it with everything from french fries to bread to chicken and ribs. This unique, tangy flavor is the perfect compliment to just about everything.
Personally, I like to use so much that my food is swimming in it. How about we make up a batch for you?
I’m going to preface this by saying I am completely biased – keep reading and you’ll understand why. You see, a new restaurant has opened in Athens, Alabama. Hickory Barn BBQ, located on Highway 72 West, serves up classic southern BBQ with credentials.
Having been deemed worthy of the Jack Daniel’s Grand Champion in their BBQ Cookoff, Bill and Stacey Davis decided to open up shop and bring you the same great meats which have been served at competitions and privately catered affairs for nearly a decade.
With a menu of smoked chicken, pulled pork, made fresh sides, desserts from scratch, and the meatiest and most tender ribs you’re likely to ever have, this is a BBQ experience not to be missed.
As if the award winning food wasn’t enough, the atmosphere alone is worth the short drive. Authentic antique signs, recycled barn wood and galvanized tin line the walls. Vintage Coca Cola machines which Bill has collected since childhood serve to further the old fashioned atmosphere along with glass bottled drinks served from a large galvanized tub of ice. Walking into Hickory Barn is taking a step back in time, but likely with better food.
Hope to see you there soon and don’t forget to try Hickory Barn’s Signature BBQ Sundae!
~Christy
Hickory BBQ
10047 HWY 72 W
Athens, AL
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I suppose it would be redundant to say that I’ve never heard of that, since you already point that out in your post. But now I’m going to have to try it, and see if I can get that stuff as popular here in Idaho as it is in Alabama!
Just based on the ingredients, it seems similar to the sauce I use for making coleslaw/crab salad, except that I also add milk. Which means that I’m sure to love this white barbecue sauce, because I love my recipe for coleslaw and crab salad!
Living in Biloxi currently and I’ve never heard of it, but it certainly seems like it would be right up my ally. Yum!
Arika
My Yummy Life
White BBQ sauce… Sounds interesting! Is it very vinegar-ey? My hubby is on a vinegar kick lately, we’ve recently discovered malt vinegar on french fries. I might have to try this!
I never did try this – kept saying I was going to – I saw this on paula deen’s show!
-DTW
http://www.everydaycookin.blogspot.com
Hey there. I will definitly have to try this. I have never heard of it before. Sounds really cool.
Sharon:)
As soon as I saw your Twitter about this, I made a beeline over here to see about this white BBQ sauce. I want to try this, too. With french fries. I’m excited! I really want to try this!
And if I haven’t told you before, I really like the new digs.
As you well know, I like new stuff and the sauce is a first for me. Sounds tasty! That restaurant looks great. Here is Texas there is alot of that kind of decor in our BBQ places. He is going to do great. I wish I lived closer. I can only imagine what his desserts are! I drug my husband all the way to Savannah for Paula Deen, why not not Athens for Bill?
Have a great weekend!
Christy, its been a little while since I’ve stopped by but it looks great! I love how you’ve updated the site. I’m overseas right now so I’m not really online very much, but I had to check back for a quick look.
I’ve heard of and seen White BBQ sauce, but then, I live in southern TN, in spittin’ distance of the Alabama border! Can’t wait to try this!
Sounds great!
Love white BBQ sauce! That’s from my neck of the woods!
See, now I want to go fire up the grill. I just cleaned it! No fair!
I love mayo and vinegar and sugar. All three mixed together sounds like something I need to make and pour over lots of stuff.
I am from North Alabama, and in fact my wife is from Athens. Truly a small world…
It’s always a personal preference, but my absolute favorite barbecue in the whole wide world is Whitt’s barbecue. Since we are Bama expatriates, we can only get it when we come back home. As a matter of fact, we tried once to get them to put a few pounds of pulled pork on dry ice and ship it to us.
When I make my own white sauce, I like to add a little garlic powder and paprika. It’s a nice little twist.
Glad I stumbled on your site. I promise I’ll be back.
I’d never heard of white BBQ sauce – I’ll have to try this!
Stephanie Hehe! You made me smile! I love your idea of making it as popular in Idaho! Its going to be strange in a few years when I find myself in a restaurant in Idaho that serves “Idaho White Sauce”!!! Go you! I bet you will love it!!!! If you are at all a vinegar person, this is heaven.
Arika Thank you Arika, I’m enjoying your blog, too! Welcome to Southern Plate!
Heather It is very vinegar-ey!! I can GUARANTEE that if you like malt vinegar on fries this is EVEN BETTER! I love it on big old steak fries!!!!!
Darius Paula made white sauce! I didn’t know that, WOOT! I actually make it a point not to watch paula deen or any other cooking show just to prevent myself subconsciously copying them! LOL Southern Plate came in and my foodie viewing had to go out!!! You know I just adore your blog, Darius!
It’s always a pleasure to see you at SP!
Sharon It is wonderful, thank you so much Sharon!!!
Nikki Hehe, I knew you’d like it, Nikki! You and I seem to just have the same taste in our “root food”. I’m glad you like the new design!! I’m ALMOST used to it! Its tough when you are always wanting to improve though! I read where you were going to do the post every day for a month thing, Girl you are a brave woman!! You work so hard! When are you going to sleep!?
Joan Hehe, You come on down but you better call me first! I’ll drive you there myself!! The desserts are all homemade using family recipes. They do a different cake each weekend and yeah, there are so good I don’t dare even get close enough to SMELL them!!!!!
Su I hope to see you back soon, Su! Have a great trip and be careful!
Mssue6 oops, removed! Hehe! Hope you’re having a good day!
Jalera Yup, you’re like me, I claim dual Alabama/Tennessee citizenship because I’ve always lived so close!!! Howdy Neighbor!
BillGent Always love to see any comment from my “Gent”!
Sew Gracious And I LOVE your handbags!!!!!! Thank you for visiting Southern Plate! Come back often !
Michelle hehe, just do what I do and raid your brother’s bbq joint! Oh it does sound like you’d like this, let me know if you get to try it!
Big John WOW, very small world!!! Whitts is awesome bbq, I have to admit. Back in the day when I worked at First Alabama bank, the owner was our customer and he was just the NICEST man!! I think that has a lot to do with why their bbq is so good. I am going to hold you to that promise of coming back, now!
Tamy Every time I see your name I just have to smile! I swear, you must know exactly what my life is like sometimes! LOL Let me know if you try it!
Love y’all!
Christy
The first time I ever had white sauce was at the Golden Rule BBQ in Oxford, AL a few months ago. I put it on my barbecue chicken stuffed potato and it was great.
LOL one of these days I will remember to add the i to my name. *headdesk*
Hey, Neighbor!
I moved to Athens, Alabama, about five months ago. I like my white sauce a little thicker – so I just put in a little more mayo. Some folks leave out the sugar, but I feel like it is essential! I’m a forty-something mom and wife, going back to college to get my degree in education. Just looking at your website reminds me of my grandmothers’ home cooking. I love your easy recipes and your “style”. Keep up the good (delicious) work.
I made a batch and love it. Will it keep a while?
Christy you mention a BBQ place on Hwy 72 west in Athens Al. Good grief Charlie Brown, that is where I am from, well I am from that area. I know that area very well. And the White sauce is a favorite of mine as well. Big Bob Gibson BBQ in Decatur Al. I have visited many times and his white sauce is fab. What you need to add to your white sauce recipe is Salad Dressing instead of Mayo. It has a much tangier taste to the flavor. I am in Pensacola Fl now and have been since 1954, that is why wnen I hear someone mention N. Alabama I just about cry for home sickness.
Thank you for all your recipes and tips in your blog, I have just discovered it and it is great. Your very helpful. Chris
So I finally got around to trying this sauce. And let me tell you, I CAN’T BELIEVE I WAITED THIS LONG TO TRY IT!!! This stuff is incredible! It’s vinegary, it’s lemony, it’s peppery, it’s mayo-y, it’s deliciously flavorful, it’s indescribable! I made it to go with some roast potato wedges (which are actually still in the oven right now!) and tasted a bit on my finger. Then I went crazy looking for things around the kitchen that I could dip in it because I suddenly couldn’t wait until the potatoes were done. I dipped popcorn and saltines and they were great! Then I dipped my fingers some more.
And all this was before realizing that I had forgotten the sugar. I added it, and wouldn’t you know it was even better than before!
Yeah, long story short, you have made an Alabama White Barbecue Sauce lover out of this Idaho/Utah gal.
Mmmmm… I’m eating it with the potato wedges now… I’m in heaven…
I have been in Birmingham for 17 years and just a month ago tried Golden Rule’s White BBQ sauce. I wish I hadn’t thought “that just ain’t right” for so long. Love the White BBQ sauce. It is definitely a Northern Alabama thing. Just like Catalina on pizza is a Mississippi Coast thing. Try it before you think “that just ain’t right”.
My daddy and pawpaw use to have a BBQ restuarant in Birmingham on the old fair grounds many many years ago. So of course I was raised on this stuff. I make it all the time now in the summer when we are grilling. he would start cooking in neighborhood and everyone would start coming over to see what he was cooking. and they all had to have their white sauce to take home with them.
Oh my goodness this is my absolute favorite!! it’s soooo good. I’ll eat it with anything, chicken, pork, potatoes, rolls. My favorite bbq place here in east tn has a white sauce just like this they call Alabama white sauce!
Greetings from Tucson, AZ. Your picture pulled me into this website. I have heard of white BBQ sauce for years. Now that I’ve got this recipe, I’ll try it. Thanks
[...] Alabama White Barbecue Sauce: This is truly a regional thing, but also a regional requirement. EVERY BBQ restaurant in North Alabama features white bbq sauce on their menu, their meats, and their tables and North Alabamians eat it with everything from french fries to bread to chicken and ribs. This unique, tangy flavor is the perfect compliment to just about everything. Personally, I like to use so much that my food is swimming in it. How about we make up a batch for you? Recipe from Southern Plate. [...]
I’m from North Alabama, the Cullman/Decatur area. This has been a staple in our home for 25 years. I use it on everything Pork Chops are wonderful I baste them while grilling and smother them afterwards. I like to use fresh squeezed lemon juice when I can. This is the first time I’ve visited your blog and I am enjoying your recipes.
Christy-
Can this be canned? If so what’s the processing time. I think this would go well in some baskets I am making with Jams and BBQ Sauce and even your recipe for Apple butter which I might add is rootin tootin finger lickin! Also, you have me addicted to this hobbyist canning- it is a nice little way to make friends round the town.
I’m from Decatur Al Yes this sauce is a north Alabama tradition.I love white sauce on chicken.My daughter eats it on everything.We especially love it on hushpuppie.I found this site today and i love it. Thanks.
Hey, I grew up in Gardendale Alabama, (now live in Baltimore)…definitely North ‘bama, and I had never heard of white sauce until I was with my family at our place in Cullman on Smith Lake. There was this little place called the Smokehouse, that makes the most kickin’ smoked ribs, chicken and put in your order little cartons of white sauce. Had never seen it or heard of it, but wow…it was fantastic. It compliments the meat, but never overwhelms it like a sweet sauce can. Count me a fan.
My sister lives in Madison AL and introduced me to the white BBQ sauce. We grew up in Madison TN, suburb of Nashville, and never heard of such. Only 2 hours away. But Honey, it is great! I can’t believe it isn’t at all the BBQ joints. I’m glad to have a recipe to make my own.
I am wondering if anyone has the recipe for a White marinade? When I lived in the South I had this great chicken off the grill. All I remember is it has 3 equal parts of white ingredients. Don’t know if it was vinegar, sugar, oil, salt but it was three things in equal parts. I do know there wasn’t any mayonnaise in it. It was the best chicken I have ever had. If anyone has the recipe I would love to know it! Anytime I search for white barbecue I get the one with mayo in it. I do know this one did not have mayo. Thanks!
I have lived in Michigan all of my life, but my Dad grew up in Falkville, Alabama and I can remember him making “white sauce” for his bbq chicken. We all loved it. I am going to try this recipe. It has been a long time since I had it.
Thanks!