Alabama White Sauce Recipe
Ready to taste a Southern favorite with a bold, tangy twist? Alabama White Sauce is a legendary barbecue staple that’s creamy, zesty, and utterly irresistible. Unlike traditional red barbecue sauces, this pale and punchy blend is made for slathering over smoked chicken, pulled pork, or even for dunking crispy fries and fresh veggies. There’s good reason pitmasters and home cooks alike reach for Alabama White Sauce—and once you try it, you’ll want to put it on just about everything!
Ingredients You’ll Need
It’s truly amazing how such simple, familiar ingredients can come together to create a sauce with so much personality. Each item on this list plays a starring role in the final flavor, so grab your favorites and let their magic work!
- Mayonnaise: The creamy backbone and silky base that gives Alabama White Sauce its signature texture.
- Apple Cider Vinegar: Adds tart brightness and essential tang, balancing the sauce’s richness.
- Lemon Juice: A splash of freshness and acidity that really makes the whole sauce pop.
- Prepared Horseradish: Brings a gentle heat and earthy punch—you can adjust the amount for your perfect kick.
- Dijon Mustard: Adds subtle sharpness and depth, with a smooth finish perfect for a tangy BBQ sauce.
- Worcestershire Sauce: Delivers umami-rich notes, making everything a little more savory and complex.
- Garlic Powder: Gives background warmth and a crowd-pleasing savory flavor.
- Onion Powder: Adds gentle sweetness and a hint of additional depth.
- Salt: Enhances all the flavors and ties the whole sauce together.
- Black Pepper: Offers a bit of subtle heat and earthy bite.
- Cayenne Pepper (optional): For those who love a little extra kick, this brings gentle, lingering heat.
- Sugar (optional): Just a touch can round out the acidity and bring all the flavors into perfect harmony.
How to Make Alabama White Sauce
Step 1: Gather Your Ingredients
First things first—make sure you have all your ingredients lined up. This will make the mixing process easy and allow you to dive right into making your new favorite sauce.
Step 2: Whisk Together the Creamy Base
In a medium bowl, add the mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, horseradish, Dijon mustard, and Worcestershire sauce. Grab a sturdy whisk and mix everything until it’s completely smooth and combined. This is where the foundation of Alabama White Sauce gets that iconic velvety texture.
Step 3: Add the Seasonings
Time to layer in the flavor! Sprinkle in the garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper if you’re feeling bold. Whisk everything until the seasonings are fully blended and the sauce is speckled with those savory notes.
Step 4: Adjust Sweetness and Tang
Now for the taste test—if the sauce is too punchy for your taste buds, stir in sugar one teaspoon at a time. This little addition mellows out the vinegar and ties the tang and heat together beautifully.
Step 5: Chill for Maximum Flavor
Don’t skip this step! Cover your bowl tightly and slide it into the fridge for at least 30 minutes. This resting time allows all the vibrant flavors in your Alabama White Sauce to meld into creamy, bold perfection.
How to Serve Alabama White Sauce
Garnishes
A sprinkle of chopped fresh chives, a dusting of smoked paprika, or even a few thinly sliced scallions can give your Alabama White Sauce a pretty pop of color and an extra layer of flavor. Serving it right from a mason jar or a pretty bowl lets everyone drizzle or dip as they please.
Side Dishes
This sauce isn’t just for meats! Try it piled high with crispy fries, as a zesty side for roasted veggies, or alongside a platter of grilled corn on the cob. It’s so versatile that it elevates everything it touches.
Creative Ways to Present
For your next BBQ spread, set out Alabama White Sauce alongside classic red barbecue sauces and let guests mix and match. Or, drizzle it over tacos, grilled burgers, or use it as a dip for onion rings at your next party. It even shines as a spicy, creamy salad dressing.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep any leftover Alabama White Sauce in an airtight container in the fridge. It’ll stay fresh and flavorful for up to a week—just give it a good stir before serving as some separation may occur.
Freezing
Freezing is not recommended, as the mayonnaise base can separate and turn grainy after thawing, which takes away from that lovely silky texture you want in your Alabama White Sauce.
Reheating
No heating required here! Alabama White Sauce is best served cold or at room temperature. Just bring it out of the fridge ahead of time and give it a quick whisk if it’s thickened up a bit.
FAQs
What makes Alabama White Sauce different from other barbecue sauces?
Unlike tomato-based or molasses-heavy BBQ sauces, Alabama White Sauce is mayonnaise-based, which gives it a creamy texture with lots of tang from vinegar and lemon juice. It’s especially beloved for its balance of richness and punchy acidity.
Can I make Alabama White Sauce spicier?
Absolutely! Add extra horseradish or cayenne pepper to ramp up the heat, or toss in a little hot sauce if you love extra fire. The recipe is really easy to personalize.
Is Alabama White Sauce gluten-free?
Yes, as long as your Worcestershire sauce and Dijon mustard are certified gluten-free, the rest of the ingredients naturally avoid gluten. Always double-check ingredient labels to be sure!
How do I keep my Alabama White Sauce from getting too runny?
If your sauce seems thin, try using thick, full-fat mayonnaise. Mixing well and letting it chill will also help thicken it up. Taste and tweak until it’s just the way you like it.
What meats taste best with Alabama White Sauce?
It’s a real standout with smoked or grilled chicken—think whole birds, wings, or drumsticks. Pulled pork, turkey, and even grilled shrimp all become next-level when served with a generous spoonful of this sauce.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve never ventured beyond classic red barbecue sauces, now’s your time to take the plunge—Alabama White Sauce is pure Southern sunshine in a bowl. With bold flavors, creamy texture, and amazing versatility, it’s about to become the MVP of your summer spread. Try it once, and I promise you’ll be hooked!
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Alabama White Sauce Recipe
- Total Time: 5 minutes (plus chilling time)
- Yield: 1 1/4 cups
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Alabama White Sauce is a tangy, creamy, and slightly spicy sauce that is perfect for grilled or smoked meats, as well as a zesty dipping sauce for various dishes. This mayo-based sauce originates from Southern American barbecue traditions.
Ingredients
Mayonnaise:
1 cup
Apple Cider Vinegar:
1/4 cup
Lemon Juice:
1 tablespoon
Horseradish:
1 tablespoon
Dijon Mustard:
1 tablespoon
Worcestershire Sauce:
1 teaspoon
Garlic Powder:
1/2 teaspoon
Onion Powder:
1/2 teaspoon
Salt:
1/2 teaspoon
Black Pepper:
1/4 teaspoon
Cayenne Pepper:
1/4 teaspoon (optional)
Sugar:
1–2 teaspoons (optional, to balance acidity)
Instructions
- Whisk together the base ingredients: In a medium bowl, combine mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, horseradish, Dijon mustard, and Worcestershire sauce until smooth.
- Season the sauce: Add garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and cayenne if using. Adjust sweetness with sugar as needed.
- Chill before serving: Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld before serving.
Notes
- This sauce pairs wonderfully with smoked or grilled meats, pulled pork, or as a dipping sauce for fries and vegetables.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator; it will keep well for up to 1 week.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Sauce
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Southern American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 tablespoons
- Calories: 110
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 210mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 1g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 0g
- Cholesterol: 5mg
