Alabama White Sauce
This Alabama White Sauce tastes just like the famous white BBQ sauce from Newk’s Eatery! It’s perfect for tailgating, grilling, and meal prepping. You’re going to want this quick, tangy sauce on everything!
While I love a sweet and smoky BBQ sauce like every other good Tennessean, I also tend to keep a jar of this Alabama White Sauce in the fridge all summer and through football season for all our favorite smoked meats! It’s super easy to make a homemade white sauce better than the store-bought version, but there are a few little tricks I had to perfect before sharing. You’re going to need a blender for the perfect creamy texture that won’t separate, and make sure you stick to the mayonnaise-to-vinegar ratio. That’s the key to this white BBQ sauce clinging to your chicken wings and not sliding off!
Why you will love this white BBQ sauce recipe:
- You only need 5 minutes and a blender.
- It’s super versatile and will never go to waste.
- You can make it ahead of time, perfect for meal prepping.
Alabama White BBQ Sauce Ingredients
- Mayonnaise – This is the bulk of the sauce, so use your favorite brand. Full-fat mayo will give you the best, richest, creamiest texture, but you can use low-fat if you prefer.
- Distilled Vinegar – This adds that zing you need to cut through the rich mayo. The sour flavor brightens up the whole sauce. If you don’t have any, you could replace it with apple cider vinegar or white wine vinegar, though those will not give as much of tangy flavor.
- Horseradish, Worcestershire Sauce, and Dijon Mustard – These add the tangy flavor and a little umami which is why this BBQ sauce is so amazing with grilled meats and veggies! You could use a different mustard if you prefer, but Dijon gives it a great, bold flavor.
- Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Salt, and Cayenne Pepper – This blend of basic seasonings gives the white sauce more flavor and just a hint of a kick!
How to Make Alabama White Sauce
- Put all your ingredients into a blender and blend it until smooth. If you prefer, you can put it all in a jar and use an immersion blender.
- Taste the sauce, then add additional horseradish, cayenne, or salt to make it taste perfect for your preferences. Store in the fridge until ready to serve.
Storage
- Fridge: Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to 7-10 days.
- Freezer: I do not recommend freezing this as the mayonnaise will separate and become grainy.
What to Serve with this Alabama White Sauce Recipe:
- Dry Rub Chicken Wings (NEW recipe coming later this week!!)
- Smoked Boston Butt Recipe
- Smoky Pork Tenderloin
- Breaded Okra
- Hush Puppies Recipe
Variations & Ideas:
- This works wonderfully as a marinade or for basting! Just add water to the blender a teaspoon at a time until it’s thin enough to mop onto your chicken.
- If you like it sweeter, consider adding a tiny drizzle of honey or maple syrup to the blender after tasting.
- When you want a smokier flavor, you can add a few drops of liquid smoke or a bit of smoked paprika.
- Want it spicy? Add extra cayenne pepper or a few dashes of your preferred hot sauce.
White BBQ Sauce FAQs
White BBQ sauce has a mayonnaise and vinegar base, and it was created in the 1920’s in Decatur, Alabama. It’s similar to a coleslaw dressing and tastes mild and tangy with a light kick of heat.
No, white BBQ sauce generally is peppery, not spicy. If you’re concerned it may have too much of a “bite” for you, I recommend using half the amount of horseradish and cayenne, then tasting and adding more if you like.
No, mayo is an essential ingredient, and there is not another ingredient that can replace the flavor and texture. There are egg-free and soy-free options if you have dietary restrictions.
Yes, for the perfect creamy texture, you will need a blender, food processor, or immersion blender. Whisking may look like it mixes well enough at first, but it doesn’t fully emulsify the vinegar into the mayonnaise. This can lead to separation, seasonings being poorly distributed, and an oily feel, so stick with the blender!
Get the Recipe: Alabama White Sauce Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup distilled vinegar
- 2 tablespoons horseradish sauce
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Instructions
- Combine all of the ingredients using a blender or immersion blender until smooth.
- Taste test and adjust the horseradish and cayenne as needed.
Notes
- Net carbs per 2 tablespoons: 0.6 g
