Alabama White Sauce: The New Ketchup? (2024)

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Alabama White Sauce, or White BBQ Sauce, is a mayonnaise-based BBQ staple in the southern United States. It’s made with mayonnaise, white wine vinegar, garlic, black pepper, spicy mustard, sugar, salt, and horseradish. The flavors combine to create a tangy sauce perfect for pulled pork, brisket, and other BBQ dishes.

Alabama White Sauce: The New Ketchup? (1)

The key to making the best Alabama White Sauce is using good-quality ingredients. Use mayonnaise that you like, and don’t be afraid to experiment with different types of mustard. You can also adjust the amount of sugar and salt to your taste.

This white barbecue sauce is best when made ahead of time and allowed to sit for at least 24 hours. This allows the flavors to meld and develop, resulting in a more flavorful sauce, and can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

Alabama White Sauce: The New Ketchup? (2)

Ingredients

  • Mayonnaise – Use a good mayo like Duke’s or Hellman’s. Don’t use salad dressing like Miracle Whip. It doesn’t work well in this sauce.
  • White wine vinegar – You can use just about any vinegar you like. I probably wouldn’t go with balsamic; you won’t have a white BBQ sauce anymore. Many friends and family use apple cider vinegar; I’m not a huge fan.
  • Garlic – I use fresh garlic that has been grated. You can use finely diced garlic or even replace it with garlic powder.
  • Black pepper – I use coarse ground pepper; regular pepper works just fine.
  • Spicy mustard – When I need spicy mustard, I tend to use Creole mustard. Still, Dijon mustard, stone-ground, and spicy brown mustard have plenty of flavor. You can also use yellow, but it will affect the color of your sauce more than the others – it will still be delicious!
  • Sugar – I use white sugar. Brown sugar can be used. Brown sugar has molasses in it and will affect the color of your sauce.
  • Salt – I use regular salt; start with less salt and add more if needed. Depending on the mayo and mustard, it may be plenty salty without adding more.
  • Prepared horseradish – This is horseradish that you can buy in the store, already prepared. I think some horseradish tastes “off.” My current favorite is Zatarain’s; it doesn’t leave any weird aftertaste.

How to Make White BBQ Sauce

Whisk together all ingredients in a medium bowl until smooth. Taste and adjust the seasonings to your liking. The sauce can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

Pro Tips for Making Alabama White Sauce

  • Use good quality mayonnaise. This will make a big difference in the flavor of the sauce.
  • Use fresh garlic. The garlic flavor will be more pronounced if you use fresh garlic instead of garlic powder.
  • Use your favorite spicy mustard. Many different types of spicy mustard are available, so choose one you like.
  • Adjust the amount of sugar and salt to your taste. Some people prefer a sweeter sauce, while others prefer a saltier sauce.
  • The sauce is ready after 60 minutes, but if you let it sit for at least 24 hours before serving. This will allow the flavors to meld and develop, resulting in a more flavorful sauce.

Variations

  • If you want more heat, add a dash of cayenne pepper.
  • Add brightness and a tangy flavor by adding a tablespoon of fresh lemon juice.
  • Want a smokier flavor without using liquid smoke? Add a teaspoon or 2 of Worcestershire sauce.
  • Change up the spices. Try adding some onion powder or paprika.
  • Add some herbs like parsley, thyme, or rosemary. Be careful with fresh herbs if you are basting anything on the grill. Fresh herbs tend to burn.

Difference Between Alabama White BBQ Sauce and Other BBQ Sauces

The main difference between Alabama white sauce and other barbecue sauces is its color and flavor.

Alabama white sauce is white, while most other barbecue sauces are brown or red.

Alabama White Sauce: The New Ketchup? (3)

Alabama white sauce also has a more tangy flavor than other barbecue sauces.

Alabama White Sauce: The New Ketchup? (4)

Where to Use White BBQ Sauce

Alabama white sauce is typically used on grilled or smoked chicken. But I use it on chicken wings in the air fryer. I add it during the last 5 minutes of cooking.

It’s awesome on pulled pork sandwiches, and I have to make a triple batch when I feed it to my crew! They not only use it on the meat but as a dipping sauce for French fries, onion rings, chips, vegetables, and just about anything else I’m serving.

Try this on beef brisket or any other smoked or grilled beef. Steak anyone?

Alabama White Sauce: The New Ketchup? (5)

Can this be frozen?

No, mayonnaise-based recipes do not freeze well. It causes the mayonnaise to separate.

Store this in the refrigerator and use it within 2 weeks.

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Alabama White Sauce: The New Ketchup? (9)

Alabama White Sauce [White BBQ Sauce]

Want to level up your BBQ game? Try this creamy, tangy, and mildly spicy Alabama White BBQ Sauce. It's a Southern classic that's perfect for grilled chicken, pulled pork, and other barbecued delights. This easy-to-make sauce is sure to add a flavor-packed twist to your BBQ creations!

5 from 1 vote

Print Pin Rate

Course: Condiment

Cuisine: American, Southern

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Resting Time: 2 hours hours

Total Time: 2 hours hours 5 minutes minutes

Servings: 16 Servings

Calories: 146kcal

Author: Beth Mueller

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups mayonnaise
  • 1/4 cup white wine vinegar
  • 1 clove of garlic
  • 1 tablespoon black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon spicy mustard
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt or more to taste
  • 1 teaspoon prepared horseradish

Instructions

  • Blend everything together and allow the flavors to blend for at least 60 minutes.

Notes

  • Store in the refrigerator and use within 2 weeks.
  • This sauce is better the longer you let it sit. I recommend a minimum of 2 to 4 hours before serving. Waiting 24 hours would be even better.
  • This sauce is excellent for pulled pork and pulled pork sandwiches. This is also good on BBQ, like chopped brisket, but the pulled pork is where this sauce shines.

Nutrition

Serving: 2Tablespoons | Calories: 146kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 0.3g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 9g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 0.04g | Cholesterol: 9mg | Sodium: 218mg | Potassium: 14mg | Fiber: 0.1g | Sugar: 0.4g | Vitamin A: 16IU | Vitamin C: 0.2mg | Calcium: 5mg | Iron: 0.1mg

Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @PearTreeChefs or tag #PearTreeKitchen!

This recipe was written and tested by a human.

This article first appeared on Pear Tree Kitchen.

Elizabeth (Beth) Mueller

Elizabeth (Beth) Mueller is a food journalist, CEO of Pear Tree Kitchen, and co-creator of Food Blogger Help. She also has a bachelor’s degree in philosophy and a registered nurse licensed in the State of Oklahoma. When she has free time between writing, blogging, and cooking, she can be found volunteering as an RN with the Oklahoma Medical Reserve Corps.

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Alabama White Sauce: The New Ketchup? (2024)

FAQs

What is Alabama white sauce made of? ›

Alabama white sauce starts with a base of mayonnaise and apple cider vinegar. Many variations exist but typical flavorings include mustard, Worcestershire sauce, sugar or honey, garlic and/or onion powder, and lots of black pepper.

What is Waldo's Alabama white sauce? ›

Alabama white BBQ sauce is a mayonnaise-based dressing that also includes horseradish and cayenne pepper for a good amount of heat.

Who made the original Alabama white sauce? ›

It was created by Robert Gibson, owner of Big Bob Gibson's Bar-B-Q in Decatur, in 1925. The sauce is a combination of mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, black pepper, and salt and was initially used only on chicken.

What to pair with Alabama white sauce? ›

Alabama white sauce is great on meat, but it's also delicious on vegetables. Drizzle it on grilled veggies like grilled asparagus, zucchini, broccoli, or green beans.

Is Alabama white sauce like Ranch? ›

No, Alabama white sauce is tangy with notes of vinegar and black pepper. Ranch emphasizes herbs and may be a bit more sweet.

What does Alabama white sauce taste like? ›

The flavor of Alabama White Sauce

At first taste, Alabama white sauce has a slightly cool, neutral flavor thanks to the mayonnaise, with the tang of the vinegar to offset any spice. Before long, you start to pick up the exciting flavors from the spice blend, making you want to take another bite ASAP.

Why is it called Alabama White Sauce? ›

The creation of white barbecue sauce, often called “Alabama White,” is credited to Robert “Big Bob'” Gibson at Big Bob Gibson's Bar-B-Q restaurant, in Decatur, Ala., in 1925.

How old is Alabama White Sauce? ›

Alabama white sauce

It is believed to have been invented by Bob Gibson at the Big Bob Gibson Bar-B-Q in Decatur in 1925. The sauce's popularity was mainly confined to northern Alabama until 1994 when it began to be bottled and sold commercially.

What is the meaning of Alabama white sauce? ›

Alabama white sauce—also known as Alabama white barbecue sauce—is a mayonnaise-based vinegary condiment, which originated in Decatur, a city in Northern Alabama. Cooks in Alabama use it as a marinade, a basting liquid, and a dipping sauce.

What mother sauce is white? ›

Béchamel sauce: White sauce, based on milk thickened with a white roux. Espagnole sauce: Brown sauce based on a brown stock reduction, and thickened with a brown roux. Ingredients typically include roasted bones, bacon, and tomato (puréed or fresh).

Can I buy ready made white sauce? ›

BECHAMEL SAUCE READY TO SERVE - 1LTR

A full flavoured, ready to use versatile bechamel sauce enriched with butter. Perfect as part of a lasagne, pasta carbonara or chicken pie. This smooth and creamy sauce is very versatile and can also be used as a base for creating other sauces like Mornay sauce.

What is the name of the white sauce? ›

Another name for bechamel — or béchamel — is "white sauce." Making a bechamel is a very basic technique in French cooking which begins with a roux, a cooked mixture of flour and butter, and after slowly whisking in milk, ends in a creamy sauce.

Do you use hot or cold milk for white sauce? ›

In multiple tests, we found very little difference in the amount of clumping that occurred in the cold and room--temperature milks—both were fairly smooth, with minimal lumping. The hot milk, however, yielded significantly more lumps despite the same amount of vigorous whisking.

How to jazz up white sauce? ›

Add ground black pepper or ground cayenne pepper to white sauce to give it a kick. Add marjoram, beef bouillon powder and a pinch of ground thyme powder for country fried steak or other beef dish. Add paprika, parsley, white wine and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice for seafood dishes.

Can I eat pasta with white sauce? ›

While white sauce pasta can be delicious and satisfying, it tends to be higher in calories, fat, and sodium compared to pasta dishes with lighter sauces. The creamy white sauce is typically made with ingredients like butter, heavy cream, and cheese, which contribute to its rich flavor and texture.

Why is it called Alabama white sauce? ›

The creation of white barbecue sauce, often called “Alabama White,” is credited to Robert “Big Bob'” Gibson at Big Bob Gibson's Bar-B-Q restaurant, in Decatur, Ala., in 1925.

What is white sauce vs alfredo sauce? ›

White sauce – also known as béchamel – is made with flour, milk, and butter. It's a basic sauce that can be used as a base for other sauces or as a topping for dishes like lasagna. Alfredo sauce, on the other hand, is made with butter, cream, and Parmesan cheese, and has a much richer flavour than white sauce.

Where is Alabama white sauce from? ›

A staple of Northern Alabama barbecue, this sauce is primarily a mixture of mayonnaise, vinegar, salt, and pepper. It was invented by Robert Gibson at Big Bob Gibson's Bar-B-Q in Decatur, AL, where freshly smoked chickens are pulled from the pit and then "baptized" in a pool of the sauce.

What does Alabama White barbecue sauce taste like? ›

The homemade white bbq sauce is white with a mayo base, but unlike the dressing you would use on classic coleslaw or broccoli salad, it is not sweet. It has a more robust savory flavor thanks to the vinegar's tang and the black pepper and horseradish's mild heat.

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