Alabama White Sauce Recipe (2024)

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This Alabama White Sauce Recipe dates back to when barbecues became competitions and this sauce is as famous in the state as football. With its creamy and tangy taste, this unique condiment is the perfect pairing to any grilled meat.

Alabama White Sauce Recipe (1)

Alabama White Sauce

Growing up in the state of Alabama I knew the importance of football on Saturdays and that barbecue came drenched in white sauce. This creamy and tangy mixture always seemed to pair perfectly with anything from a pulled pork sandwich to grilled chicken. It wasn’t until I’d grown up and moved to New York City that I realized this staple sauce was specific only to my home state.

As the barbecue culture has grown into a massive competition, so have bbq sauces, just ask someone who lives in the Carolinas whether they think all sauces should contain vinegar as Carolina BBQ Sauce does. This unique Alabama white sauce will always be one of my favorites. With its smooth and drippy texture, this sauce has a peppery and tangy taste and a soft finish.

Also made with some simple pantry staples, this sauce can be whipped up for your next outdoor grilling adventure in minutes.

What is Alabama White Sauce?

This mayonnaise-based condiment is credited with Big Bob Gibson of Gibson’s BBQ in both Decatur, and Huntsville, AL, which is also my hometown. Gibson uses this sauce to baste and marinate, but with its now wide popularity, it has also become a table sauce.

It is most commonly used with smoked or grilled chicken but actually pairs well with just about any meat and even fish too. Drizzling some of this creamy condiment on grilled or smoked salmon is quite the treat.

Alabama White Sauce Recipe (2)

What Does White Sauce Taste Like?

This thin sauce has a smooth and creamy taste with a tangy finish. It’s also seasoned with lots of freshly ground pepper. Some recipe versions contain horseradish, which gives the sauce more of a spicy kick, however, the original does not.

I’m a bit of a purist and prefer the original flavor, however, you can easily add in some of your favorite spices or kick it up with some hot sauce too.

What is Alabama White Sauce Made Of?

Just as with any true southern recipe, especially when it comes to barbecue, the ingredients are a bit vague. There are two main ingredients in this white sauce, which are mayonnaise and vinegar. The rest of the ingredients are my best guess and personally think it’s pretty close to the original.

  • Mayonnaise: this ingredient is the base of the recipe and responsible for the creamy white color and smooth texture.
  • Apple Cider Vinegar: the vinegar in this recipe brings out the tartness as well as thins the mayonnaise.
  • Worcestershire Sauce: this southern staple sauce
  • Dijon Mustard: adding just a small amount of this bold condiment will add a wasabi-horseradish kick, but tone down the tanginess.
  • Garlic Powder and Onion Powder: these two spices blend together in this sauce and I’ve made a suggestion over how much to add, however, you can always add more.
  • Salt: always a key spice in just about any southern recipe. Add as much as you like.
  • Freshly Ground Pepper (lots): You really want to see the flecks of freshly ground black pepper in this sauce, so again, this one you can add as much or as little as you’d like.

How to Make Alabama White Sauce

There really is only one step in preparing this delicious and famous barbecue sauce. The rest is just getting the flavor perfect for your tastebuds.

  1. Whisk all the ingredients together in a large bowl until smooth.
  2. Adjust the spices and seasonings to achieve the desired flavor you prefer.
  • Alabama White Sauce Recipe (3)
  • Alabama White Sauce Recipe (4)

What to Use this Sauce On

This now-famous sauce has become popular in most barbecue establishments, however, it can easily be a marinade or simple table sauce too. Below are some of my favorite ways to use it.

  • Grilled, smoked, or chicken
  • Pulled Pork, brisket, or ribs
  • Beef
  • Grilled or roasted fish
  • Vegetable dip
  • Coleslaw dressing

How to Store this Sauce

I personally love to make large batches of this delicious sauce and then can it so I always have some on hand in the pantry. To store this delicious southern delicacy place it in an air-tight container and keep it in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

Recipe Update

Originally I included canning instructions for this sauce, however, after much research, I’ve decided to remove them. Mayonnaise on its own cannot be canned. When combined with vinegar and made into a sauce it typically will be okay, but I’d rather you not take that chance.

Alabama White Sauce Recipe (5)

Alabama White Sauce

This Alabama White Sauce Recipe dates back to when barbecues became competitions and this sauce is as famous in the state as football. With its creamy and tangy taste, this unique condiment is the perfect pairing to any grilled meat.

4.88 from 8 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Condiment

Cuisine: American, Southern

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Total Time: 5 minutes minutes

Servings: 1 Jar

Calories: 1584kcal

Author: Aimee Mars

Ingredients

  • 1 cup Mayonnaise
  • 1/4 cup Apple Cider Vinegar
  • 2 teaspoons Dijon Mustard
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce
  • 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
  • 1 teaspoon Onion Powder
  • 1 teaspoon Freshly Ground Black Pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon Salt

Instructions

  • In a medium-sized bowl whisk all the ingredients together until smooth.

  • Continue to adjust the spices and seasonings to your desired taste. If the sauce is too thick add 1 additional tablespoon of vinegar and 1 teaspoon of worcestershire sauce until your preferred consistency is reached.

Notes

The calories listed are for an entire jar. If adding this sauce into a calorie-counting app divide it into 16 servings.

Nutrition

Serving: 1tablespoon | Calories: 1584kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 168g | Saturated Fat: 26g | Cholesterol: 94mg | Sodium: 2872mg | Potassium: 319mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 146IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 56mg | Iron: 2mg

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

Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts

Alabama White Sauce: A Tangy and Creamy Condiment

As an expert in food and cooking, I can confidently discuss the concepts used in this article. The article introduces and explains Alabama White Sauce, a tangy and creamy condiment that is popular in the state of Alabama. I will provide information on the concepts and ingredients used in the recipe.

Alabama White Sauce: Origins and Usage

Alabama White Sauce is a mayonnaise-based condiment that is commonly used in barbecue cooking. It is credited to Big Bob Gibson of Gibson's BBQ in Decatur and Huntsville, Alabama. Originally used as a basting and marinating sauce, it has gained popularity as a table sauce.

The sauce is most commonly used with smoked or grilled chicken but can also be paired with other meats such as pulled pork, brisket, ribs, beef, and even fish. It can also be used as a vegetable dip or coleslaw dressing.

Flavor Profile and Ingredients

Alabama White Sauce has a smooth and creamy taste with a tangy finish. It is seasoned with freshly ground pepper, giving it a peppery kick. While some versions of the sauce may include horseradish for added spiciness, the original recipe does not.

The main ingredients in Alabama White Sauce are mayonnaise and vinegar. Mayonnaise provides the base of the sauce, giving it a creamy white color and smooth texture. Apple cider vinegar is used to bring out the tanginess and thin the mayonnaise. Other ingredients commonly found in the sauce include Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and freshly ground black pepper.

Making Alabama White Sauce

Making Alabama White Sauce is a simple process that involves whisking all the ingredients together until smooth. The spices and seasonings can be adjusted according to personal preference, allowing you to customize the flavor to suit your taste buds. If the sauce is too thick, additional vinegar and Worcestershire sauce can be added to achieve the desired consistency.

Using and Storing Alabama White Sauce

Alabama White Sauce can be used in various ways. It can be drizzled over grilled or smoked chicken, used as a marinade for meats, or served as a table sauce. It can also be used as a dressing for coleslaw or a dip for vegetables.

To store Alabama White Sauce, it is recommended to place it in an airtight container and keep it in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. It is not suitable for canning due to the mayonnaise content.

I hope this information helps you understand the concepts and ingredients used in the Alabama White Sauce recipe. If you have any further questions or need assistance with anything else, feel free to ask!

Alabama White Sauce Recipe (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.

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.

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.

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.

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 does Bama 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.

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 a fancy 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.

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.

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.

Which mother sauce is known as white sauce? ›

Béchamel Sauce

Béchamel is made by thickening hot milk with a simple white roux.

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.

Is white sauce like alfredo? ›

Alfredo sauce is a classic cream sauce used in countless pasta dishes. Also known as a white sauce or “pasta in blanco”, alfredo blends simple ingredients and turns them into a rich, indulgent delight.

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.

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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