Creamy & Tangy Alabama White Barbecue Sauce
Alabama White Barbecue Sauce is a regional specialty that has received national acclaim for good reason! Uniquely sweet yet tangy, this sauce takes just 5 minutes to make and tastes great on everything from juicy grilled chicken and pulled pork to crispy French fries. Let me show you how to make it for yourself at home. One bite and you’ll be serving it with every meal!
A Quick Look At The Recipe
- Recipe Name: Alabama White Barbecue Sauce
- Ready In: 5 minutes
- Serves: 4
- Main Ingredients: mayonnaise, salt, black pepper, white vinegar, lemon juice, white sugar
- Why You'll Love It: Uniquely sweet yet tangy, serve this homemade recipe for nationally-acclaimed Alabama white barbecue sauce with main meat dishes and sides.
The Sweet & Tangy Sauce You’ll Put on Everything
Today, I’m bringing you a real rarity. In fact, it is pretty much unheard of outside of North Alabama. 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.
I’m talking about Alabama white BBQ sauce. This is truly a regional thing, but also… a regional requirement. You’ll find white BBQ sauce on every menu, table, and piece of meat at every BBQ joint in North Alabama. Locals eat it with everything, from French fries and juicy smash burgers to chicken and tender BBQ ribs. My husband loves to smother his chicken with this stuff, and personally, I like to use so much that my food is always swimming in it!
This homemade white BBQ sauce has a uniquely sweet yet tangy flavor, thanks to the combination of mayonnaise, lemon juice, white vinegar, and sugar. Let me tell you, it truly is the perfect compliment to just about everything.
Reader Rating
“I’m an Alabama girl through and through, and I’ve got news for you. THIS IS FANTASTIC. No need for additional ingredients. It’s as good as any white BBQ sauce I’ve ever had. THANK YOU!!!” – Jenna
Recipe Ingredients
- Mayonnaise
- Black pepper
- Salt
- Lemon juice
- White vinegar (apple cider vinegar can be used as a substitute, or a mix!)
- Sugar (you can also use brown sugar, or a mix of both)
Mix It Up: Your Sauce, Your Rules!
- Horseradish: For a classic twist, add a couple of teaspoons of prepared horseradish.
- Mustard: Add 2 teaspoons of yellow, dijon, spicy brown, or Creole mustard for a tangy kick.
- Seasoning: For an extra pop of flavor, add 1/2 teaspoon of Cajun or Old Bay seasoning.
- Lighter Version: Replace half the mayo with sour cream or Greek yogurt to make a lighter sauce without changing the taste.
- Make it Spicy: For some heat, use hot horseradish, 1/2 teaspoon of hot sauce, and 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper.
How to Make Alabama White Barbecue Sauce
To start, add your mayonnaise to a mason jar or small bowl. Then add the salt and pepper.
Next, add the sugar, vinegar, and lemon juice.
Mix all ingredients together with a whisk. Or if you’re using a mason jar with a lid, you can just give it a really good shake!
That’s all there is to it – you have just made Alabama white barbecue sauce!
Before you go wow your friends, get a French fry or a piece of chicken and give it a good dunking so you can be the first to taste it. YUM!
I could just live on this y’all, honest!
Storage
Pop the sauce in a mason jar or an airtight container and store it in the fridge for up to 4 days. But we all know it’s not gonna last that long! Luckily, it only takes 5 minutes to whip up another batch (or you can always simply double the recipe).
Alabama White Barbecue Sauce FAQs
Alabama white BBQ sauce is creamy and tangy with a good peppery kick. I make mine with a mayonnaise-and-vinegar base, so it starts off rich and cool. Then you get this sharp, zesty punch from the lemon juice and black pepper that just keeps you coming back for more. It’s truly one-of-a-kind!
Alabama white BBQ sauce originated in Decatur, Alabama. We have Robert “Big Bob” Gibson, founder of Big Bob Gibson’s Bar-B-Q, to thank for creating this unique sauce way back in 1925!
Alabama white sauce tastes fantastic with any grilled or barbecued meat, like this North Alabama-style pulled chicken, pan-seared pork chops, roasted beef brisket, crockpot beef ribs, and air fryer chicken wings. You can baste it on the meat two or three times towards the end of cooking, or simply pour it over the top when serving.
It also tastes great as a dipping sauce with fries and veggies, like my baked zucchini fries, parmesan oven fries, and roasted sweet potato wedges. Another option is to use it as a salad dressing. It tastes absolutely amazing with potato salad, coleslaw, and roasted vegetables!
From my kitchen to yours, I hope you enjoyed this recipe. Let me know by leaving a comment and a star rating!
Ingredients
- 2 cups mayonnaise
- 1 ½ tablespoons salt
- 2 tablespoons black pepper
- 6 tablespoons white vinegar
- 6 tablespoons lemon juice
- 4 tablespoons white sugar
Instructions
- Mix all ingredients together and stir well.2 cups mayonnaise, 1 ½ tablespoons salt, 2 tablespoons black pepper, 6 tablespoons white vinegar, 6 tablespoons lemon juice, 4 tablespoons white sugar
Notes
- If you don’t have white vinegar, apple cider vinegar can be used as a substitute, or a mix of them together.
- You can also swap white sugar for brown sugar, or use a combination of the two!
Nutrition
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…
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
I made a batch and love it. Will it keep a while?
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.
LOL one of these days I will remember to add the i to my name. *headdesk*
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.
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