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!
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!
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.
Helpful Tip!
Serve this with:
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:
This sauce will keep well for at least a week in the refrigerator if you store it in a sealed mason jar.
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!
More Favorite Sauces:
- Korean BBQ Sauce
- Egg Roll Dipping Sauce
- Tartar Sauce
- Avocado Dressing
- Fry Sauce
- Keto Ranch Dressing
- Homemade Honey Mustard
Alabama White Sauce
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.
ColleenCanuck says
I love this idea I am not a fan of traditional bbq sauce. And I can’t wait to try
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.
ColleenCanuck says
Cool, Luv the history Amy! Put on my bucket list!
Twyla lake says
I am looking forward to try this
Karly says
Hope you enjoy!
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?
Karly says
Hi Donna! Brush the sauce on at the end or use it as a dipping sauce.
Susan says
can I use garlic powder instead of garlic salt and reduce the salt as I have to watch my sodium intake
Karly says
Sure.
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.
kumiko mccabe says
hi, like to know how toger receipe onqueso?can not find it thank you kumiko
Karly says
Hello! I’m sorry, but I’m not sure what you’re asking?
ColleenCanuck says
I believe this person is asking for Spanish ingredients btw?
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.
Karly says
No, sorry, there weren’t any substitutes listed.
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.
Steve Barker UK says
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.
Karly says
So glad you enjoyed! I’m sure it was great with the lemon juice. 🙂
Gary A LaBelle says
Which vinegar do you recommend…white vinegar?
Karly says
Yep!
Carla Skidmore says
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?
Karly says
It’s more of a barbecue flavor than ranch flavor, in my opinion.