Best Ever Alabama White Sauce — Buns In My Oven (2024)

Home / Buns In My Oven Favorites

35 minutes minutes

Kid-Fave

Karly Campbell

Jump to Recipe

This ALABAMA WHITE SAUCE is a family favorite! It’s a simple creamy sauce that is perfect over grilled chicken, ribs, or pulled pork. It starts with mayo, instead of tomato sauce, so it’s extra creamy and so flavorful!

Best Ever Alabama White Sauce — Buns In My Oven (1)

Alabama has always been a favorite vacation destination for us. The beaches are beautiful, it’s easy enough to get there, and we have a million and one favorite restaurants near the coast.

One of those restaurants served up barbecue with a twist – instead of your traditional tomato based barbecue sauce, they served a white BBQ sauce, and y’all, I was instantly hooked.

This Alabama White BBQ Sauce recipe is creamy, tangy, and just a bit sweet. It’s really perfect, you guys.

If you like sauces and dips, you’ll want to try my honey mustard recipe, fry sauce, and Carolina BBQ sauce!

Best Ever Alabama White Sauce — Buns In My Oven (2)

Table of Contents

Ingredient Notes:

Mayonnaise – Most BBQ sauces are tomato based, but this Alabama white BBQ sauce uses a mayo base!

Buttermilk – This will help thin out the sauce a bit and it also adds some flavor.

Vinegar – You can use either white vinegar or apple cider vinegar in this white BBQ sauce recipe!

Mustard – I like to use yellow mustard in this white sauce recipe, but spicy brown mustard would work too.

Seasonings – Just a simple mix of salt, pepper, sugar, and garlic salt! Use some brown sugar for extra flavor.

What We Love About This Recipe!

This Alabama white sauce is a perfect way to change things up! We love tomato based sauces too, but sometimes we’re in the mood for something different and that’s exactly what this white BBQ sauce has to offer! It’s creamy and flavorful and will work just as well on any meat as regular BBQ sauce.

How to Make Alabama White Sauce:

Add mayo, buttermilk, vinegar, mustard, garlic salt, pepper, and sugar to a mason jar.

Shake, shake, shake until the sauce is smooth and creamy. Alternately, stir together with a fork.

Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before using. The longer the sauce sits, the more the flavors develop.

Best Ever Alabama White Sauce — Buns In My Oven (3)

Helpful Tip!

Serve this with:

  • Grilled Chicken
  • Crock Pot Ribs
  • Alabama Style Pulled Pork
  • Baked Chicken Strips

VARIATIONS:

Tomato based BBQ sauce recipes are made in many ways with lots of different ingredients. The same can be true for mayo based white BBQ sauce! Here are some suggestions for changing it up:

  • Make a spicy white BBQ sauce by using spicy brown mustard, or add some spicy horseradish to the mix. Cayenne pepper or some hot sauce will also work well to spice it up!
  • A little bit of lemon juice will brighten the sauce up and add some more flavor.
  • Some Worcestershire sauce will add a more savory flavor to this white sauce.

FAQs:

How to store white BBQ sauce?

This sauce will keep well for at least a week in the refrigerator if you store it in a sealed mason jar.

What is Alabama white sauce?

It’s a BBQ sauce that starts with mayonnaise instead of tomatoes. It uses some similar ingredients like vinegar and sugar but the mayo base and the buttermilk gives it a creamy taste!

Best Ever Alabama White Sauce — Buns In My Oven (4)

More Favorite Sauces:

Best Ever Alabama White Sauce — Buns In My Oven (5)
Follow me on social for more recipe ideas & inspiration!

Best Ever Alabama White Sauce — Buns In My Oven (6)

Recipe

Alabama White Sauce

This white bbq sauce starts off with mayonnaise to give it a creamy base. The sauce turns out sweet, tangy, and perfect for slathering over grilled or smoked chicken and ribs.

Print Pin Save

Prep5 minutes minutes

Chill Time30 minutes minutes

Total35 minutes minutes

Serves 6 servings

Ingredients

For the white sauce:

  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons buttermilk
  • 2 tablespoons vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon prepared yellow mustard
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic salt

Instructions

  • To prepare the white sauce, combine all of the ingredients in a bowl or mason jar. Stir to combine and taste. Add additional vinegar, salt, or sugar depending on your preferences.

  • Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before using.

  • Store tightly covered in the fridge for up to 1 week.

Tips & Notes:

Recipe makes about 3/4 cup of sauce.

Nutrition Information:

Serving: 2tablespoons| Calories: 133kcal (7%)| Carbohydrates: 1g| Protein: 1g (2%)| Fat: 14g (22%)| Saturated Fat: 2g (13%)| Cholesterol: 8mg (3%)| Sodium: 327mg (14%)| Potassium: 7mg| Fiber: 1g (4%)| Sugar: 1g (1%)| Vitamin A: 12IU| Calcium: 6mg (1%)| Iron: 1mg (6%)

Author: Karly Campbell

Course:Main Course

Cuisine:American

Keyword:easy dinner recipes, grilling recipes, summer recipes

Did You Make This?Tag Us On Instagram

You may also like…

  • Alabama White Barbecue Sauce Grilled Chicken

  • Tangy Carolina Barbecue Sauce

  • Our FAVORITE Buffalo Chicken Recipes

  • South Carolina Yellow Barbecue Sauce

Best Ever Alabama White Sauce — Buns In My Oven (11)

FREE DINNER HACKS

Save time, eat better, and enjoy life more with my TOP 5 KITCHEN HACKS!

Reader Interactions

Leave a Review

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

  1. ColleenCanuck says

    I love this idea I am not a fan of traditional bbq sauce. And I can’t wait to try

    Reply

  2. Amy P says

    Alabama white sauce started its life in my hometown of Decatur, Alabama, at least 100 years ago. A gentleman named “Big” Bob Gibson came up with it and served it at his community barbecues. He later started a restaurant called, fittingly, Big Bob Gibson’s BBQ. It’s still in operation today in Decatur. I grew up with his great-grandchildren and knew his daughter Catherine “Punk” Gibson McLemore. I went to church with them. Our families have known each other since the 50s.
    Brothers Jacob and Andrew Lily are carrying on the tradition.

    Reply

    • ColleenCanuck says

      Cool, Luv the history Amy! Put on my bucket list!

      Reply

  3. Twyla lake says

    I am looking forward to try this

    Reply

    • Karly says

      Hope you enjoy!

      Reply

  4. Donna Schubeck says

    I have ribs that I want to do in the slow cooker; can you explain how the sauce is used? Added at the beginning to cook ribs in it, or added at the end?

    Reply

    • Karly says

      Hi Donna! Brush the sauce on at the end or use it as a dipping sauce.

      Reply

  5. Susan says

    can I use garlic powder instead of garlic salt and reduce the salt as I have to watch my sodium intake

    Reply

    • Karly says

      Sure.

      Reply

      • Susan says

        if I use garlic powder instead of garlic salt in the recipe how much garlic powder would I use?

      • Karly says

        Hi Susan, just add it to taste.

  6. kumiko mccabe says

    hi, like to know how toger receipe onqueso?can not find it thank you kumiko

    Reply

    • Karly says

      Hello! I’m sorry, but I’m not sure what you’re asking?

      Reply

      • ColleenCanuck says

        I believe this person is asking for Spanish ingredients btw?

  7. Kimberly A Mele says

    Thought I saw some ingredient substitutes in the article. After printing the recipe, I went to go through the substitute ideas and can’t find them.

    Reply

    • Karly says

      No, sorry, there weren’t any substitutes listed.

      Reply

      • Nancy M. Carlson says

        Is there any way to make this with a mayo sub? If so what would or could it be?? I super appreciate your answer. Thank you. This sounds delish.

      • Karly says

        Hi Nancy! We’ve only made this with mayo. You could try using sour cream or greek yogurt, but it’s going to significantly change the flavor.

    • Robert D Geist says

      You might go back and check the “Variations” section above.

      Reply

  8. Steve Barker UK says

    Best Ever Alabama White Sauce — Buns In My Oven (12)
    Grilling chicken this evening and just wanted something different to plain old BBQ sauce and found this on the internet.

    Too late to go to the shop so didn’t have any buttermilk and used lemon juice instead of vinegar and added a pinch of smoked paprika; well impressed, can’t wait to try the ‘straight’ version.

    Reply

    • Karly says

      So glad you enjoyed! I’m sure it was great with the lemon juice. 🙂

      Reply

  9. Gary A LaBelle says

    Best Ever Alabama White Sauce — Buns In My Oven (13)
    Which vinegar do you recommend…white vinegar?

    Reply

    • Karly says

      Yep!

      Reply

  10. Carla Skidmore says

    Best Ever Alabama White Sauce — Buns In My Oven (14)
    This white sauce sounds great. I have not tried making it, but it reminds me of Ranch Dressing, am I way off base on that?

    Reply

    • Karly says

      It’s more of a barbecue flavor than ranch flavor, in my opinion.

      Reply

Best Ever Alabama White Sauce — Buns In My Oven (2024)

FAQs

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.

Who made Alabama white sauce famous? ›

However, northern Alabama gets the credit for white barbeque sauce, a truly unique option. The origin of Alabama white sauce can be traced back to one man: Robert Lee Gibson, better known as Big Bob Gibson, of Decatur, Alabama. Gibson earned his nickname from his size — 6'4 and 300 pounds — and an appetite to match.

Does Alabama white sauce taste like ranch? ›

Classically white sauce drizzled over smoked chicken, but you can also use it on grilled or barbecued meats, wings, vegetables, pizza, burgers, and more. Does Alabama white sauce taste like ranch? No, Alabama white sauce is tangy with notes of vinegar and black pepper.

What makes Alabama BBQ different? ›

Alabama barbecue is generally fueled by hickory wood, but oak and pecan are also used. Across Alabama, smoked pork—chipped, chopped, and sliced—is piled on hamburger buns and often topped with coleslaw, with dill pickles added as a defining condiment.

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.

What is the posh name for 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.

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.

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 the white sauce Americans call gravy? ›

Smooth and creamy white gravy, one of the American South's most beloved and versatile sauces, is really just a variation of béchamel, which was brought to Louisiana by French explorers in the 17th century. Excellent draped over chicken fried steak, biscuits or.

What are the two white sauces? ›

Béchamel – milk-based sauce, thickened with a white roux. Beurre blanc – Reduction of butter, vinegar, white wine and shallots.

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 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 state is known for pulled pork? ›

The answer is it depends on the animal. Texas is the state to go to for barbecue beef brisket. Tennessee is the state to go to for pork ribs and pulled pork.

What state is known to have the best BBQ? ›

Few people will disagree that the state of Texas is the best place to experience real American barbecue. Texas is unique in that is has different styles of barbecue throughout the state.

What BBQ is Kentucky known for? ›

It's safe to say that although Kentucky is most famous for mutton, pork is still king, dominating barbecue menus throughout the state. Mutton, however, is our most distinctive claim to barbecue fame, although only 18 out of 160 places I visited serve it.

What do you eat white sauce with? ›

Has to be good old macaroni cheese.
  1. White sauce. ...
  2. Corned beef, cabbage and white onion sauce. ...
  3. Cheesy eggplant and lentil bake. ...
  4. Seafood crepes. ...
  5. Creamy chicken and vegetable pot pies. ...
  6. Corned beef with mustard sauce.
Jan 29, 2023

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.

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.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Pres. Carey Rath

Last Updated:

Views: 5758

Rating: 4 / 5 (41 voted)

Reviews: 80% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Pres. Carey Rath

Birthday: 1997-03-06

Address: 14955 Ledner Trail, East Rodrickfort, NE 85127-8369

Phone: +18682428114917

Job: National Technology Representative

Hobby: Sand art, Drama, Web surfing, Cycling, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, Leather crafting, Creative writing

Introduction: My name is Pres. Carey Rath, I am a faithful, funny, vast, joyous, lively, brave, glamorous person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.