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Home » Recipes » Condiments

Alabama White Sauce

Published: Apr 14, 2021 · Modified: Jun 11, 2021 by Kate Hackworthy · 5 Comments

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Jar of sauce with a spoon and text: Easy Alabama White BBQ Sauce.
Spoonful of sauce with text: How to make Alabama White Sauce.

Alabama White Sauce is a creamy and tangy twist on BBQ sauce. It's perfect as a condiment, for grilling on the barbecue, or as a marinade, dressing or dip. Make it in minutes with simple ingredients, for a rich, bold sauce the whole family will enjoy! 

Spoon coming out of a jar of sauce.

Alabama White Sauce is a pale BBQ sauce that's full of rich, bold tastes.

It comes together in minutes and has a depth of flavour that will blow your mind.

It's sweet, tangy, creamy, spicy and just tastes like an explosion of great taste.

The flavours come from mayo, horseradish, cayenne, vinegar, mustard, lemon juice and sugar - so that's a LOT of big, bold tastes!

I love it when we're grilling on the barbecue, but we also use it as a marinade, a salad dressing, or as a dip for wings, vegetables or chips.

Jump to:
  • Why You'll Love This Recipe
  • Ingredients
  • Step By Step Tutorial
  • Tips
  • Serving Suggestions
  • Variations
  • Storage 
  • FAQs 
  • Other Condiments You’ll Love
  • 📖 Recipe
  • 💬 Comments

I absolutely love this take on traditional BBQ sauce because it is unique and unlike any of its smoky red counterparts.

The best part is that it takes no time to make and can be used so many different ways.

Meat-eaters will of course love it for grilling. But even as a vegetarian, I find a lot of ways to enjoy Alabama White Sauce. Brushing it onto grilled veggie burgers and veggie sausages is incredible!

I also like using it as a vegetable dip, salad dressing, sandwich spread, drizzled on tater tots and fries and even in my favorite vegan fajita recipe.

It just livens up everything! It's not get-me-a-water hot, but it has layers upon layers of flavours.

Spoonful of sauce coming out of a jar.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

All of the ingredients get whisked together without any cooking involved.

It’s a great sauce that everyone can enjoy!

You’ll be able to find all the ingredients at your local grocery store.

It’s the perfect gift to bring to an outdoor barbecue.

You’ll be able to recreate the flavour of Bob Gibson’s famous sauce from scratch right at home.

Because it’s creamy, it has many other uses than just for grilled food.

This recipe is made with only 7 ingredients.

The spicy and tangy kick can be modified to fit your preferences. 

It can be made ahead to save you time in the kitchen.

Table of ingredients.

Ingredients

  • Mayonnaise - This creamy condiment makes up the base of the sauce.
  • Vinegar - Responsible for making this BBQ sauce tangy and acidic.
  • Mustard - Adds a bold flavour and tang.
  • Horseradish - Give the sauce a kick of spice.
  • Cayenne - Adds a bit of heat.
  • Lemon juice - more acidity in addition to the vinegar.
  • Sugar - sweetness to balance the flavours.
  • Salt - to season.

Step By Step Tutorial

Follow this step-by-step photo tutorial, then scroll down to the recipe card for the full ingredients list and method.

Collage: 1 bowl of ingredients, 2 mixing, 3 mixed.
  1. In a medium-sized mixing bowl, add all ingredients.
  2. Whisk vigorously to make sure everything is combined.
  3. Taste to adjust seasonings as necessary.
  4. Add to an airtight container or jar and store in the fridge for up to 5 days.

Tips

  • Make sure that all the ingredients for this Alabama White BBQ Sauce recipe are fully combined to balance all the spices and flavours.
  • BBQ sauce can last longer in the fridge if the jar or container has little to no air inside to prevent it from oxidizing.
  • If you’re using it right away, you may want to reduce the vinegar amount slightly as the vinegar sharpness mellows out as it sits with the other ingredients.
  • Lighten it up by using light mayo.

Serving Suggestions

The classic use is to brush it onto meats (I use it on veggie meats) on the grill, about 7 minutes before the end of cooking time.

Use it as a marinade.

Serve it as a dip for chips or vegetables.

Drizzle on top of Tofu Skewers.

Spread on this Roasted Vegetable Sandwich.

Use it to dip fries.

Try it with more recipes from Alabama.

Variations

If you don’t like using white vinegar, use apple cider vinegar or extra fresh lemon juice instead.

Add some color and freshness by stirring in chopped fresh parsley.

Add a tablespoon of apple juice to thin the Alabama White Sauce recipe and add more fruity flavor.

Swap the cayenne for smoked paprika for less heat and a smokey taste.

Storage 

Storing: Store this bbq sauce in an airtight jar or container in the fridge for up to 5-7 days making sure to test for freshness.

Freezing: This does not hold up well for freezing as the mayo may separate and demulsify. It’s best to use it within the week. 

Jar of sauce on a board.

FAQs 

What does Alabama white sauce taste like? It's a creamy, tangy, hot and bold sauce that can go on top of many different foods.

Where does Alabama white sauce come from? Alabama white barbecue sauce was invented in 1925 by Robert 'Big Bob' Gibson at Big Bob Gibson's Bar-B-Q restaurant.

What is Alabama Style BBQ? Alabama barbecue focuses mostly on pork and chicken since the white sauce is used heavily.

Other Condiments You’ll Love

Sriracha Aioli
Tartar Sauce
French Onion Dip
Homemade Ketchup
Vegan Cream Cheese
Mushroom Stock
Zax Sauce

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📖 Recipe

Spoonful coming out of a jar of sauce.

Alabama White Sauce

Kate Hackworthy | Veggie Desserts
Alabama White Sauce is a creamy, hot and tangy twist on BBQ sauce. Try it for grilling on the barbecue, as a marinade, as a dressing or dip.
5 from 7 votes
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Prep Time 5 minutes mins
Total Time 5 minutes mins
Course Condiments
Cuisine American, Southern
Servings 15
Calories 39 kcal

Equipment

  • mixing bowl
  • Whisk

Ingredients
 

  • 1 cup (230g) mayonnaise
  • 1 ½ tablespoons white vinegar or apple cider vinegar
  • 2 teaspoons prepared horseradish or 4 teaspoons creamed horseradish
  • 2 teaspoons sugar
  • 2 teaspoons lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon yellow mustard
  • ¼ tsp. cayenne pepper
  • ½ teaspoon salt

Instructions
 

  • Whisk all ingredients together in a bowl until completely combined.
  • Cover and store in the fridge for up to 5 days.

Notes

  • Make sure the ingredients are fully combined to balance all the spice and flavour. 
  • BBQ sauce can last longer in the fridge if the jar or container has little to no air inside to prevent it from oxidizing. 
  • If you’re using it right away, you may want to reduce the vinegar amount slightly as the vinegar flavour mellows out as it sits with the other ingredients.
Serving Suggestions
  • Make sure that all the ingredients for this Alabama White BBQ Sauce recipe are fully combined to balance all the spices and flavours.
  • BBQ sauce can last longer in the fridge if the jar or container has little to no air inside to prevent it from oxidizing.
  • If you’re using it right away, you may want to reduce the vinegar amount slightly as the vinegar sharpness mellows out as it sits with the other ingredients.
  • Lighten it up by using light mayo.

Nutrition

Calories: 39kcalCarbohydrates: 2gProtein: 1gFat: 3gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 2mgSodium: 195mgPotassium: 9mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 45IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 2mgIron: 1mg

The nutritional information provided is approximate and can vary depending on several factors, so is not guaranteed to be accurate. Please see a registered dietician for special diet advice.

Tried this recipe?Mention @kateveggiedesserts or tag #veggiedesserts! I love seeing your recreations.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

    5 from 7 votes (1 rating without comment)

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    Recipe Rating




  1. Dionne

    July 04, 2021 at 1:24 pm

    5 stars
    Fantastic white sauce! It tastes exactly how my dear friend is making it, and I've always wanted to learn how to make it!

    Reply
  2. Allyssa

    April 19, 2021 at 12:46 pm

    5 stars
    Thanks a lot for sharing this! We loved it on grilled chicken last night with salad and fries!

    Reply
  3. Melanie

    April 14, 2021 at 2:26 pm

    5 stars
    I've been looking for this recipe since I tried it somewhere else. Glad I found this, I'll be making some tonight!

    Reply
  4. Mirlene

    April 14, 2021 at 1:25 pm

    5 stars
    Love how creamy this sauce is and I can think of the many ways i can use it. Adding the ingredients to my shopping list.

    Reply
  5. Claudia Lamascolo

    April 14, 2021 at 11:25 am

    5 stars
    Wow I have been wondering for years how to make this yummy sauce tonight it will be on our table so thank you I love this on steak! I will try that tip on the mayo!!

    Reply

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Hi, I'm Kate, a journalist, author and multi-award-winning food blogger. Here you'll find vegetarian recipes and vegan recipes celebrating vegetables, from dinner to dessert! If you love vegetables, you've come to the right place. About Me

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