The Best White BBQ Sauce Recipe 

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One of the easiest things you can do to switch up regular old BBQ chicken is to add our white BBQ sauce recipe as a finishing sauce instead of traditional BBQ sauce.

Living in Austin, Texas for the past decade, we know our way around a BBQ pit.

From exploring the Best BBQ in Kansas City, to tasting all the top beef brisket throughout Texas, to making this homemade white BBQ sauce at home, we LOVE barbecue.

White BBQ Sauce ingredients.

What we appreciate about this mayonnaise-based sauce is that it only takes a few basic ingredients that you should already have handy right in your pantry.

All it takes is one large bowl, your measured ingredients, and a whisk. Then just stir and combine!

Homemade Alabama white BBQ sauce in a bowl.

Origins of White BBQ Sauce

This tangy white sauce is a BBQ staple in Alabama.

Big Bob Gibson’s Bar-B-Q invented this sauce in Northern Alabama over 100 years ago in order to keep his BBQ chickens moist.

Initially, locals thought he was crazy to add creamy mayonnaise to sauce and have the audacity to call it a barbecue sauce.

However, now white barbecue sauce is a mainstay for Alabama and is recognized throughout the country.

Alabama white barbecue sauce starts with a mayonnaise base and then the addition of vinegar creates a tangy white sauce that is a little bit of rich flavor that is balanced with its slightly acidic flavor kick.

It’s a flavor profile similar to the mustardy, vinegar-based sauce that is known as Carolina BBQ Sauce, but it is much creamier in nature. 

A Chicken leg dunked in Alabama white BBQ sauce.

Uses for this White BBQ Sauce Recipe

While most people just think of white barbecue sauce as a topping for chicken, this versatile condiment is an easy sauce that pairs with a number of foods.

  • Chicken – The origin of white BBQ sauce! We made smoked chicken leg quarters by covering them in olive oil, adding a dry rub, and then cooked them to perfection. Once they were off the grill, we topped the meat with this mayo-based BBQ sauce. Feel free to use this sauce on chicken breasts, Chicken Thighs, Chicken Wings, or even on a whole Smoked Spatchcock Chicken.
  • Pork – Add a drizzle to Pulled Pork or Smoked Pork Chops for a tangy sauce addition.
  • Sandwiches – Shred your chicken or pork, add it on a roll with coleslaw and top with this homemade white BBQ sauce!
  • Salads – We’re not talking about the salad dressing on your traditional leafy green salad. Substitute this white sauce recipe for yout traditional dressings for Potato Salad or coleslaw for a tangy twist on a classic.
  • Dipping Sauce – Keep some on hand as a great sauce for dipping in french fries, chicken tenders, or pizza rolls. We can’t wait to try it with our homemade Air Fryer Boneless Wings Recipe.
White BBQ sauce drizzled on a chicken leg.

Variations for our White BBQ Sauce Recipe

Another benefit of our white barbecue sauce recipe is that you can tweak it exactly to your preferences.

  • Make it Spicy – Simply substitute the lemon juice for your favorite hot sauce. You’ll still have the acidity of the traditional original recipe, but with more heat. Another solution is to increase the amount of cayenne pepper that you add to this sauce.
  • Make it Tangier – This recipe already has quite a bit of tang since it is a vinegar based sauce. If you’re looking to take it to the next level, consider swapping out the worcestershire sauce with spicy brown mustard.
  • Make it Creamier – Add more mayonnaise and reduce the vinegar if you’re looking for a thicker, creamier sauce.
White BBQ Sauce on chicken.

How to Store Alabama White Sauce

This sauce is so good, you’ll likely go through the whole batch in one sitting. 

If you do have leftover sauce, however, use an airtight container or a mason jar with a tight seal to store the remaining sauce.

It will last in the refrigerator for one week.

Alabama white BBQ sauce recipe drizzled on chicken.

White BBQ Sauce Recipe 

Prep Time: 2 Minutes

Yield: 1 ½ cups of sauce

Ingredients:

  • 1 ¼ cup mayonnaise
  • ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
  • 2 Tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1 Tablespoon Worcestershire
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon prepared horseradish
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder

Directions:

  1. Add all ingredients to a medium bowl.
  2. Use a whisk to mix this Alabama white BBQ sauce.

Note: Store the sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week.

The Best White BBQ Sauce Recipe

The Best White BBQ Sauce Recipe

Yield: 1 1/2 cups
Prep Time: 2 minutes
Total Time: 2 minutes

Add flavor to BBQ favorites with this White BBQ Sauce Recipe! All it takes is 2 minutes and pantry items that you already have on hand!

Ingredients

  • 1 ¼ cup mayonnaise
  • ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
  • 2 Tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1 Tablespoon Worcestershire
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon prepared horseradish
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder

Instructions

  1. Add all ingredients to a medium bowl.
  2. Use a whisk to mix this Alabama white BBQ sauce.

Notes

Note: Store the sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week.

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White bbq sauce on grilled chicken.

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