Alabama White Sauce blends mayo, vinegar, and spices to create a tangy, peppery, and creamy white BBQ sauce perfect for smoked meats, crispy chicken, and more! It’s a Southern favorite ready in less than 5 minutes!
Alabama White BBQ Sauce: Dunk, Drizzle, and Dip!
Creamy, tangy, and just a little bit spicy, Alabama white sauce is a mayo-based BBQ sauce that is so good you’ll drizzle it over EVERYTHING. Yes, seriously. It’s completely different from traditional (super-sweet) tomato-based BBQ sauces, but that’s what makes it so irresistible – especially to those of us (me!) who love mayonnaise.
In this recipe, you’ll find all the key players necessary to give this sauce its quintessential tang and peppery kick, including mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, horseradish, and black pepper. Other flavors are layered in, like Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, and a teaspoon of sugar to balance the tartness. If it sounds like a lot of crazy flavors are happening all at once, you’re right! But that’s exactly what makes this white BBQ sauce so addictive.
Table of Contents
About This Recipe: Tips For Success
Yield and Servings. This recipe makes approximately 1 1/4 cups of Alabama White Sauce, which equals 10 fluid ounces, or 20 tablespoons, for 10 servings of 2 tablespoons each. Check out the section below for how to serve white BBQ sauce.
Let It Chill Before Serving. This recipe only takes 5 minutes to whip together, but it tastes its best when given at least 30 minutes in the refrigerator. This helps the flavors mellow and blend, and the sauce thickens slightly. Stored in an airtight jar or container in the fridge, it will last up to 1 week!
Use Full-Fat Mayo for Best Flavor. This is a mayo-based sauce, so using a good-quality, full-fat mayonnaise is super important for the richest flavor and smoothest texture. If you want to be adventurous, try this recipe using homemade mayonnaise.
Taste and Adjust Before Serving. Alabama white sauce should be creamy, bright, peppery, and tangy but balanced overall. Before serving, give it a quick stir or gentle shake and taste for salt, pepper, and acidity. If it’s too sharp or tangy, add more sugar, mayo, or let it rest in the fridge. To spicy or salty? Add more mayo.
This Is What You Need To Make It
To make this Alabama white sauce recipe, you will need the following ingredients: 1 cup of mayonnaise, ¼ cup of apple cider vinegar, 1 tablespoon each of prepared horseradish and Worcestershire sauce, 1 teaspoon each of lemon juice, sugar, and garlic powder, and ½ teaspoon each of salt, black pepper, and cayenne (optional).
Substitutions and Variations
- To Make it Vegan: To make this recipe 100% vegan, use a vegan mayo alternative and vegan Worcestershire sauce (most conventional Worcestershire sauces contain anchovies)
- To Make it Gluten-Free: Swap for a gluten-free Worcestershire sauce and double-check that the prepared horseradish and Dijon mustard are both gluten free.
- Prepared Horseradish: Substitute it for additional Dijon mustard or Wasabi paste (use sparingly; it’s stronger!) If you do find yourself with extra prepared horseradish, consider using it in this creamy horseradish sauce recipe! It’s phenomenal with pan-seared steak.
- Worcestershire Sauce: The best substitutes are soy sauce or coconut aminos (although I have never tried this recipe with either of these, so please report back with the results if you do!)
Alabama White Sauce Is Not Ranch Dressing – So What Is It?
While it might look like ranch, Alabama White Sauce is not the same. So what is it? It’s white BBQ sauce from North Alabama that is zesty, peppery, vinegary, and bold. It complements the richness of smoked meats, grilled chicken, and pulled pork, not coat a salad. It has zero dairy (very unlike ranch dressing). But if you’re looking for a great ranch dressing, I’ve got one! Try my Homemade Ranch Dressing Recipe.
How Is It Used?
Traditionally, Alabama white sauce is used as a finishing sauce for smoked or grilled chicken, but it’s incredibly versatile.
Drizzle Over Grilled or Smoked Meats (most popular): It was made for smoked chicken, but it’s incredible on EVERYTHING from including grilled or baked chicken thighs, wings, and legs, smoked turkey or pork, and even BBQ ribs.
Dipping Sauce for Sides. Use the chilled-out sauce for dipping and dunking French fries, sweet potato fries, chicken tenders or wings. You can even use it as a dip for veggies like carrots and cauliflower (note: Alabama white sauce has a thinner consistency than Ranch dressing).
Sandwich and Burger Sauce. If you love a saucy sandwich, then this sauce is for you! Replace your go-to mayo or aioli (or regular BBQ sauce recipe) and use this white BBQ sauce on pulled pork sandwiches, BBQ chicken sandwiches, turkey burgers, or beef burgers!
Marinade for Chicken and Pork. Don’t let the creamy mayonnaise fool you; you can absolutely use this as marinade thanks to its acidic base of vinegar and lemon juice. In fact, the mayonnaise helps keep the meat juicy while the spices add flavor.
Have any questions? Drop me a message in the comment section below! I’m happy to help. And, if you enjoy this homemade Alabama White Sauce Recipe, please rate it with some STAR LOVIN’ so other readers know to try it too! Tag me at #theforkedspoon. I’ll be sure to share! Thank you!
RECIPE CARD
Alabama White Sauce Recipe (White BBQ Sauce)
Ingredients
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon prepared horseradish
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper - optional
Instructions
- Gather the ingredients: Place all of the ingredients in a medium mixing bowl.
- Whisk to combine and season to taste: Using a whisk, mix until smooth and fully combined. Taste the sauce and adjust the salt, pepper, or cayenne for heat according to preference.
- Cover and chill (optional but recommended): Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to let the flavors meld together.
- Serve and enjoy! Use the sauce as a dip, or drizzle it over meats like crispy baked chicken legs.
Jessica’s Notes
Nutritional Information
(Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and specific brands of ingredients used.)
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