Alabama White BBQ Sauce
This homemade Alabama White BBQ Sauce is a mayo-based sauce unlike any other Southern barbecue sauce. This tangy and creamy sauce pairs perfectly with the smoky flavor of grilled and smoked meats.
In the U.S., there are barbecue sauce recipes originating from just about every corner of the South. The majority of Southern BBQ sauce recipes are tomato-based. However, there is one BBQ sauce unlike any other …the Alabama White BBQ Sauce.
What is Alabama White BBQ Sauce?
This sauce is a condiment staple in Alabama -especially for grilled and smoked food. It was created in 1925 in Decatur, Alabama by Bob Gibson of Big Bob Gibson Barb-B-Q.
While no two white BBQ sauce recipes are exactly the same, they all share one thing in common, and that is mayo. This recipe also uses vinegar, mustard and a blend of zesty spices to make a tangy sauce that pairs perfectly with smoked meat and vegetables.
Steak seasoning is the secret ingredient to adding bold, savory and peppery flavor, but you can easily customize the seasonings to your liking.
And if you’re on the hunt for a sugar-free barbecue sauce, look no further because this is it. This recipe is made with real food ingredients and is perfect for paleo and Whole30 lifestyles.
Quick Tip: You may want to double the recipe because once you taste this creamy, peppery sauce, you’ll want to put it on everything. Enjoy! 🙂
📝 Ingredients You’ll Need
- Mayo – You can use store-bought mayo or homemade. For Whole30 purposes, this homemade mayo is the best.
- Apple Cider Vinegar – gives this sauce tang and subtle sweetness.
- Coarse Grain Mustard – adds dry spicy heat.
- Steak Seasoning – adds peppery flavor.
- Smoked Paprika – adds smoky flavor and a hint of color.
📖 How to Make Alabama White BBQ Sauce
1️⃣ Mix all ingredients:
In a medium size bowl, add mayo, apple cider vinegar, coarse grain mustard, steak seasoning and smoked paprika. Whisk until smooth and well-combined.
2️⃣ Store and serve:
Transfer sauce to a sanitized jar or glass container and let sit for 2 hours before serving.
🧑🍳 Chef’s Tips
- To prevent bacterial growth, be sure to store homemade barbecue sauce in a sanitized jar or glass container.
- I recommend letting the sauce sit for at least 2 hours before using. It gives the flavors time to mingle and get even better.
👉 How to Use Alabama White BBQ Sauce
This sauce is known for adding a layer of cool, tangy flavor to smoky grilled and smoked meats, but that is just the beginning! Check out these other yummy ways to put this sauce to good use:
- Coat boneless BBQ Wings in white BBQ sauce
- As a dip for homemade BBQ sweet potato fries
- Baste crispy chicken wings in the sauce while grilling and serve more on the side
- Pour this sauce over shredded chicken to make a delicious pulled BBQ chicken sandwich
🔁 Variations & Substitutions
🔥 Craving something spicier? For a spicier white BBQ sauce add horseradish, hot sauce or spicy mustard.
👉 If mayo isn’t really your thing, a variation of traditional white BBQ sauce can be made using plain Greek yogurt instead of mayo.
🥗 Use white BBQ sauce as salad dressing! Simply whisk in more vinegar a tablespoon at a time until a thinner salad dressing consistency is reached.
♻️ Storing & Freezing
Storing – Homemade BBQ sauce should be stored in a sanitized airtight container in the fridge for 4 to 5 days.
Freezing – Do not freeze. Mayo is never quite the same after it’s been frozen.
More Homemade Sauce Recipes
Whole30 BBQ Sauce
Homemade Ketchup
Red Enchilada Sauce
Instant Pot Applesauce
❓FAQ
This Southern BBQ sauce is traditionally made with mayo and is made tangy with vinegar, horseradish and mustard.
Alabama BBQ sauce is white because unlike most BBQ sauce recipes which are tomato-based, white BBQ sauce is mayo-based.
The sauce is made with mayo so it has a creamy consistency with tangy, slightly sweet, smoky and peppery flavor.
Over 100 years, an Alabama man named Bob Gibson created white BBQ sauce and it’s been used as a compliment to grilled and smoked foods in Alabama ever since.
Alabama White BBQ Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 cup mayo
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp course grain mustard
- 2 tbsp steak seasoning
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
Instructions
- In a medium size bowl, add mayo, apple cider vinegar, coarse grain mustard, steak seasoning and smoked paprika. Whisk until smooth and well-combined.
- Transfer sauce to a sanitized jar or glass container and let sit for 2 hours before serving.