Get ready to add a tangy and creamy twist to your BBQ game with this Alabama White Sauce recipe! Originating in the heart of Southern cuisine, this classic sauce is made with a combination of mayo, apple cider vinegar, and horseradish, and is perfect for grilling up some smoked or grilled chicken or pork.
Homemade Alabama White BBQ Sauce
One of the best parts about Alabama White Sauce is how easy it is to make at home. With just a handful of ingredients – including mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, and horseradish – you can create a sauce that’s both flavorful and creamy.
Plus, the recipe is highly customizable, allowing you to adjust the amount of horseradish or hot sauce to your liking. Whether you’re a seasoned pitmaster or just starting out on your grilling journey, Alabama White Sauce is a recipe you won’t want to miss.
Plus, if you use my “secret” ingredient you’re going to want to use it in a lot more than just this homemade bbq sauce. We broke out one of my very favorite BBQ rubs, this White Tuxedo Rub from The Grill Dads (make these Hanger Steak Sliders from them and thank me later!) and it was perfect in this sauce.
If you don’t want to buy a new (delicious) rub for your spice cupboard, you can sub in prepared horseradish instead. Just start with a little, mix, taste, and experiment!
Where did Alabama White Sauce come from?
Alabama White Sauce is a unique and popular barbecue sauce that originated in Northern Alabama, specifically in the town of Decatur. It was first created by a barbecue pitmaster named Big Bob Gibson in the 1920s.
Gibson, who owned a barbecue restaurant, was looking for a new sauce to serve with his smoked chicken, which was a popular menu item at the time. He experimented with various ingredients and eventually came up with the now-famous Alabama White Sauce, which is made with mayonnaise, vinegar, and a blend of spices.
The sauce quickly became popular in the region and is now a staple of Southern barbecue cuisine. Today, Alabama White Sauce is often used as a marinade or dipping sauce for chicken, pork, and other meats, and it has even gained popularity outside of Alabama.
You can generally find a few different variations of this bottled at your local grocery store, but this recipe for homemade Alabama White Barbecue Sauce is going to blow you away with how easy it is and how much better it tastes when you mix it up yourself.
Try our Cherry Dr. Pepper BBQ Sauce too!
Alabama White Sauce shopping list
Wondering if you have to hit the store? Here’s the list of items you’ll need to make this recipe. For specific amounts, please refer to the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post.
- 1 cup mayo
- apple cider vinegar
- dark brown sugar
- spicy brown mustard
- onion powder
- garlic powder
- Worcestershire Sauce
- White Tuxedo Rub (optional – can substitute prepared horseradish instead)
- lemon juice
- hot sauce (optional)
Try this on our Traeger Chicken Leg Quarters
How to make Homemade Alabama White BBQ Sauce
This is just the overview so you can see what you’re actually getting into here. When you are cooking, you’ll want to use the full recipe at the bottom of the page.
1
Mix
Whisk together all of the ingredients. Taste and adjust to your own personal preferences as necessary.
2
Meld
Let the sauce chill in the fridge for a couple hours before serving.
3
Enjoy
Serve on pork or chicken or whatever else you can think of! Keeps in the fridge for a week or so.
Our Traeger Chicken Wings are perfect with this!
Alabama White Sauce Recipe FAQ
Can I use a different type of vinegar instead of apple cider vinegar?
Yes, you can use other types of vinegar such as white wine vinegar or champagne vinegar. However, apple cider vinegar is the traditional choice and gives the sauce its unique flavor.
Is Alabama White Sauce spicy?
That depends. The level of spiciness can be adjusted based on your personal preference. If you want a milder sauce, use less horseradish and/or omit the hot sauce. If you prefer a spicier sauce, add more hot sauce or use a spicier variety of hot sauce.
How long does this sauce last in the fridge?
Alabama White Sauce can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week in an airtight container.
Can I use this sauce on other meats besides chicken and pork?
Absolutely! Alabama White Sauce pairs well with a variety of meats, including beef, fish, and even grilled vegetables.ed in the refrigerator for up to a week in an airtight container.
Can I make Alabama White Sauce ahead of time?
Yes, you can make Alabama White Sauce ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator until ready to use. In fact, the flavors will develop even more if you let it sit for a few hours or overnight.
Use White Tuxedo Rub on our Smoked Brisket Sliders too!
More great recipes for the grill to love!
- Smoked London Broil
- Traeger Tri Tip
- Blackstone Tomahawk Ribeye
- Grilled Stuffed Pork Tenderloin
- Hanger Steak
- Smoked Brisket
- Traeger Pork Chops
- Smoked Meatloaf
- Smoked Beef Ribs
- Traeger Smoked Chicken Thighs
- 3-2-1 Ribs
Alabama White Sauce Recipe
Tangy, creamy, and everything you need in a bbq sauce, this Alabama White Sauce is perfect for chicken and pork!
Ingredients
- 1 cup mayo
- ⅓ cup apple cider vinegar
- 2 teaspoons dark brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon spicy brown mustard
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire Sauce
- 1 tablespoon White Tuxedo Rub
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce (optional)
Instructions
- Whisk together all of the ingredients.
- Taste and adjust salt and seasonings according to your own personal tastes. Add any optional ingredients if they float your boat.
- Let meld in the fridge for an hour or two before serving.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield:
8Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 196Total Fat: 21gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 17gCholesterol: 12mgSodium: 205mgCarbohydrates: 2gFiber: 0gSugar: 1gProtein: 0g
Nutrition data provided here is only an estimate.
Nicole Johnson
Nicole Johnson, a self-taught expert in grilling and outdoor cooking, launched Or Whatever You Do in 2010. Her blog, renowned for its comprehensive and creative outdoor cooking recipes, has garnered a vast audience of millions. Nicole's hands-on experience and passion for grilling shine through her work. Her husband, Jeremiah Johnson, also plays a pivotal role in recipe development, adding his culinary flair to the mix. Together, they form a dynamic duo, offering a rich and varied outdoor cooking experience to their followers.