Creamy Garlic Alabama White Sauce: BBQ Dipping Sauce

No Alabama cookout or BBQ experience is complete without the classic creamy texture and zesty flavor of an Alabama white barbecue sauce. A mayo-based sauce gives this white barbecue sauce its distinctive tangy taste and creamy consistency. It’s the perfect condiment to dunk, drizzle or slather on smoked chicken, grilled meats like chicken and ribs, and other smoked meats like smoked turkey. The whole house ends up loving it!

While visually it looks quite similar to its mayonnaise-based cousins like coleslaw dressing and ranch sauce, Alabama white sauce has a deeper, tangier flavor thanks to using a heavier hand with the vinegar and adding just a subtle bit of heat. It provides a creamy, smooth contrast to the sweeter, herbaceous ranch or more acidic coleslaw versions. The unique flavor profile has made Alabama white sauce a standout in the condiment world.

What is Alabama White Sauce? 

The original Alabama white sauce recipe was first shared by Big Bob Gibson’s restaurant head pit master Chris Lilly. His version used basic ingredients measured in gallons – a simple mixture of mayonnaise, corn syrup, vinegar, salt and pepper. It delivered an amazingly zesty twist, with sweet and tangy notes that complement the smoked meats in a way unlike traditional tomato based BBQ sauces.

This sauce starts with mayonnaise for its creamy base. Then it gets amped up with the heat of cayenne pepper and horseradish for flair. Brown sugar adds just the right amount of sweetness to balance the spice. A splash of apple cider vinegar and lemon juice keeps it lightly tangy. Simply mix all the ingredients together in a small bowl. Store any extra BBQ sauce in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week. It’s terrific as a dressing for coleslaw or vegetable dip, too. Be sure to print or save this recipe to enjoy later! You’ll fall in love with this beautiful, creamy BBQ sauce.

Where Did Alabama White BBQ Sauce Originate? 

The famous Alabama white BBQ sauce originated at Big Bob Gibson Bar-B-Q in Decatur, Alabama. Using their massive hickory-fed pits, they would smoke split chickens for hours until they emerged a glorious golden brown at around 350 degrees F, packing the meat with incredible flavor that was simply “out of this world”. But it was the restaurant’s showstopper Alabama white BBQ sauce that diners would dunk pieces of the whole smoked chicken into that truly made it a phenomenon. Served in massive vats of their homemade version, one taste had people believing it was the secret to their success.

The smoked chicken became the famous vessel for delivering that initial tangy, smooth sauce straight into the mouths of eager diners in the beginning. Since then, Alabama white BBQ sauce has grown to be a versatile BBQ staple for good reason – its ideal balance of flavors enhance not only smoked and grilled meats but also vegetables off the grill.

What Does White BBQ Sauce Taste Like? 

At first thought, a white BBQ sauce seems quite different from more traditional, tomato-based sauces. But having mayonnaise as its base makes for a surprisingly good and easy sauce! While the look is strange initially, the flavors are truly sublime. A white BBQ sauce tastes tangy, with a slightly sweet foundation balanced by just a subtle hint of spice. The creaminess from the mayo makes it incredibly smooth and versatile. It might seem unusual, but one taste convinces even skeptics that white BBQ sauce is anything but plain – it’s simply delicious!

Alabama White Sauce Ingredients

1. Mayonnaise is the star ingredient and base. The preferred choice is often Duke’s Real Mayonnaise. You can also use Best Foods, Hellman’s or another brand, but Duke’s delivers the best flavor. As a substitute, use half plain Greek yogurt, sour cream or a blended mixture for a tangier yet healthier sauce.

2. For acid, use apple cider vinegar for its traditional tang or white distilled, white wine or rice vinegars. Avoid strongly flavored vinegars like red wine or balsamic, which can give an undesirable flavor or color to the final sauce. A bit of fresh lemon juice also adds a nice bite.

3. Black pepper is an essential spice and flavor component. Use freshly ground for maximum taste. Feel free to experiment with other types like garlic powder, onion powder or a pinch of traditional barbecue spices such as cumin, paprika or coriander.

4. For umami, add a dash of Worcestershire sauce for deep richness or mustard – yellow, brown or Dijon are all popular flavors.

5. For a little heat, add a generous splash of hot sauce, or for milder, a heaping tablespoon prepared horseradish or just a pinch of cayenne. Leave it out for a saucier version.

How To Make Alabama White Sauce?

While pre-made Alabama white sauce can be found in the grocery store, making your own homemade version really only takes a short time and tastes much better. Unlike more traditional red sauces that are oftentimes simmered for hours, this sauce requires no cooking, baking or boiling – just a simple whisking together in a bowl.

The recipe only requires a few ingredients and can be ready in less than 5 minutes. This allows you to focus on your main meal while having the sauce best made ahead of time, so its flavors have a chance to meld. Simply store in the refrigerator for at least two hours and ideally overnight for those flavors to deepen. Keep any extra sauce in a clean jar, and it will last beautifully in the fridge for up to two weeks. Making your own Alabama white barbecue sauce really couldn’t be easier!

Can I Adjust the Ingredients in Alabama White Sauce? 

A key to fully enjoying any type of food is being able to make it your own by adjusting seasonings or ingredients based on your tastes. Feel free to experiment and enjoy eating white BBQ sauce your way. Here are some suggestions:

1. For a spicier sauce, increase the amounts of horseradish and/or cayenne pepper. You can also add a little of your favorite hot sauce.
2. Make a milder sauce by decreasing the amount of cayenne or horseradish.
3. For extra tanginess, add a little extra apple cider vinegar, but be careful not to add too much.
4. You can touch up the sweetness with brown sugar, honey or agave syrup instead of corn syrup. This helps offset any heat. Adding sugar is a matter of personal preference, as it didn’t appear in the original recipe. If needed, make another batch if you liked it better, balanced differently.

The key is enjoying experimenting until you find the perfect Alabama white BBQ sauce flavor for you!

Easy Alabama White Sauce

Recipe by Carmen FoodieCourse: SaucesCuisine: American

Servings

12

servings

Prep time

5

minutes

Calories

135

kcal

Total time

5

minutes

This light and tangy Alabama White Sauce comes together in minutes with only a handful of ingredients. Its bright, creamy flavors provide the perfect complement to smoked and grilled meats off the barbecue. Best of all, this simple yet deeply flavorful condiment allows home cooks to whip up a crowd-pleasing specialty sauce without much fuss or excess time spent in the kitchen.

Ingredients

• 1 cup mayonnaise

• ¼ cup apple cider vinegar

• 2 Tablespoons brown sugar

• 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

• 1 Tablespoon brown mustard

• 1 teaspoon lemon juice

• 1 teaspoon prepared horseradish

• 1 teaspoon garlic powder

• ½ teaspoon salt

• ½ teaspoon black pepper

• ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper

Directions

• To make it, simply assemble all the ingredients in a medium-sized bowl and pour them in. Using a whisk, vigorously mix until everything is completely combined into a smooth sauce. With just a few ingredients, it takes less than 5 minutes. Now you have a delicious sauce ready to go with its signature tangy zip in no time – perfect when you need a flavor boost but don’t have much cooking time to spare. Enjoy this simple, fresh take on traditional BBQ sauce!

What is Alabama White Sauce Used For?

This sauce is a total dream drizzled over smoked cuisine like smoked chicken, smoked turkey or grilled meats, ribs, pork and even fish and brisket. You can use it in place of a more traditional red barbecue sauce as a basting sauce on the grill too. And of course, it makes the ultimate dipping sauce – many folks love the combo of drizzling red barbecue sauce with a dollop of zesty white barbecue sauce on their dishes.

Beyond barbecue, though, Alabama white sauce also makes an excellent dip for raw veggies or salad dressing. It’s a go-to coleslaw dressing and delicious as a sandwich spread. Fries, burgers or chicken all get an upgrade when dunked in this dipping sauce. In other words, the options are endless for enjoying this crave-worthy condiment!

RELATED: Homemade Remoulade Sauce

Some Variations to Try

There are a few simple ways to put your own twist on the basic white sauce recipe:

• If you don’t care for mayonnaise, feel free to sub in miracle whip or even sour cream instead, whatever is your preferred version.
• For a slight variation, use white vinegar instead of apple cider vinegar.
• If you’re out of cayenne pepper, you can also add a few dashes of your favorite hot sauce instead. Some folks also add a tablespoon or two of buttermilk to thin out the sauce without losing its creamy texture.

The beauty of white BBQ sauce is how easy it is to customize to your tastes. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different swaps and ratios until finding your new signature blend!

Storage Instructions

Once your Alabama white barbecue sauce is complete, transfer it to an airtight, lidded jar for storage. You can use it immediately, but ideally let it set in the refrigerator for at least 24 hours, so the flavors can meld together even more. Properly stored, it will keep for up to 2 weeks in the refrigerator.

The convenience of this sauce is that it’s easy to make a big fresh bottle whenever you need it. Whip one up on a Sunday to have on hand for quick grilled chicken or veggie meals throughout the week. Then any leftovers can be enjoyed for another two weeks. Just be sure jars are cleaned and dried thoroughly before sealing to extend the sauce’s freshness.

Conclusion

This easy homemade Alabama white sauce recipe delivers big flavors with minimal ingredients and effort. It showcases what makes this unique southern staple so beloved. With fresh ingredients and time to let the flavors meld, this best Alabama white sauce recipe is sure to become a new go-to for any barbecue fan.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is Alabama White sauce made of?

Alabama White BBQ sauce is made of a mayonnaise base that is blended with vinegar, spices and other flavorings. The key ingredients usually include mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, black pepper, Worcestershire sauce, and mustard. Variations may add ingredients like prepared horseradish, hot sauce, garlic, onion powder or other dry spices.

Who first made Alabama White Sauce?

The origins of Alabama White BBQ sauce are unknown, as it developed gradually over time within Alabama’s barbecue culture. Some credit Frank Stitt, an acclaimed Alabama chef, with popularizing the sauce in the 1980s and putting it on the culinary map. However, local barbecue pit masters and family recipes trace it back even earlier.

What is Alabama red sauce made of?

Traditional Alabama red BBQ sauce gets its color from tomato products like ketchup, tomato sauce or paste. It usually includes brown mustard, Worcestershire sauce, apple cider vinegar and spices like black pepper, paprika, garlic and onion powder. Molasses or brown sugar provides a touch of sweetness to balance the tangy-spice.

What does Alabama white BBQ sauce taste like?

Alabama White Sauce has a tangy, creamy flavor profile thanks to the mayonnaise base. It tastes lightly spicy from black pepper and cayenne, with hints of garlic, onion and mustard. The addition of horseradish gives it a subtle spicy bite. The bright apple cider vinegar provides tanginess, balanced by a slight underlying sweetness. Overall, it has a unique and versatile flavor.

Why is it called Alabama White Sauce?

It’s called “White Sauce” because its pale color distinguishes it from traditional red or brown BBQ sauces. It was popularized within Alabama’s barbecue culture, so the state name was added for context. Some sources say it originated as a way to mimic famous chef Paul Prudhomme’s white remoulade sauce using local Alabama ingredients.

What is Alabama white sauce used for?

Beyond serving with barbecue meats, Alabama White Sauce has many uses. It makes an excellent salad dressing, dip for veggies or seafood, spread for sandwiches, topping for burgers and fries, and dressing for slaws and potato salads. Many enjoy mixing it half-and-half with red barbecue sauce for a pinkish flavor explosion.

Is white sauce like Alfredo?

While both are white sauces, Alabama White BBQ Sauce is quite different from Alfredo sauce. Alfredo is dairy-based, typically using heavy cream to become a rich and velvety pasta coating. White BBQ Sauce instead gets its body from mayonnaise or yogurt, is tangier and spicier with ingredients like mustard and horseradish. Alfredo has a milder, creamy flavor profile suited for pasta versus White Sauce’s versatile barbecue applications.

Does Alabama white sauce taste like ranch?

No, Alabama white sauce has a distinctly different taste from ranch dressing. While both are creamy white sauces made with a mayonnaise base, ranch has a stronger herbal flavor from ingredients like dried dill, chives and garlic. Alabama white sauce leans more into vinegars, mustard and spices like black pepper, giving it a bright tanginess rather than the herbaceousness of ranch. It’s creamier and less thick than typical ranch dressings as well.

Can I use this sauce as a marinade?

Yes, you can use Alabama white barbecue sauce as a marinade for meat, poultry or seafood before grilling or cooking. The acidic ingredients like vinegar and mustard along with the oils in mayonnaise help the flavors penetrate the protein. However, the sauce is quite thin so for marinating you may want to slightly modify the recipe, such as using half mayo and half yogurt or sour cream for more body. You can then brush or baste with the marinade during cooking as well. The creamy, tangy sauce makes for a unique marinade twist.