Alabama White Sauce

This Alabama White Sauce is a simple, creamy twist on barbecue sauce that you’ll want to slather on grilled chicken, ribs, and pulled pork. Ready in less than 5 minutes and a Southern staple!
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 serves up barbecue with a twist – instead of your traditional tomato based barbecue sauce, they serve a white BBQ sauce, and y’all, we’ve been hooked ever since.

This Alabama White BBQ Sauce recipe is creamy, tangy, and just a bit sweet. It’s an easy 5 minute recipe that dresses up dinner and gets people curious – everyone wants to know what the white sauce is!

If you like sauces and dips, you’ll want to try my honey mustard recipe, fry sauce, and Carolina BBQ sauce!
What is Alabama White BBQ Sauce?
Alabama White Sauce is 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 base that’s tangy with a hint of sweet.

This sauce originated in Alabama by Big Bob Gibson BBQ in Decatur, Alabama around 100 years ago. It’s been growing in popularity ever since.

We think it goes best with smoked chicken, smoked pulled pork, or smoked baby back ribs but it’s also the perfect sauce for grilled chicken! Just drizzle it right on our BBQ grilled chicken!

You can use Alabama white BBQ sauce like you would a typical BBQ sauce for basting, as a marinade, or as a dipping sauce. It’s delicious on french fries or as a dip for our oven fried chicken tenders.
Ingredient Notes:
Mayonnaise – Most BBQ sauces are tomato based, but this Alabama white BBQ sauce uses a mayo base! Be sure to use real mayonnaise and not Miracle Whip here.

Buttermilk – This will help thin out the sauce a bit and it also adds some flavor. No buttermilk? Heavy cream or whole milk will work as well.

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!

Variations – A lot of White BBQ Sauce recipes call for horseradish. Add in a teaspoon or two if you like a little kick! A dash of cayenne will spice it up as well.
How to Make Alabama White Sauce:

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

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

Chill: Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before using. The longer the sauce sits, the more the flavors develop.
Storage Instructions:
You can keep this homemade Alabama BBQ sauce stored in a sealed mason jar in the refrigerator for at least a week! We do not have experience with canning this recipe and are not sure if it would be safe to do so.

I would not recommend trying to freeze this sauce. It’s got mayo in it which will separate when freezing.
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.