Skip to Content

White Barbecue Sauce. An Alabama Favourite

White Barbecue Sauce. An Alabama favourite! More of a condiment than a BBQ sauce this tangy, creamy sauce compliments both smoked & grilled chicken & pork.

White Barbecue Sauce being poured over a plate of smoked chicken.

White Barbecue Sauce on smoked chicken

If you’ve visited as many barbecue joints in the southern U.S. as I have in my road trip travels over the years, you are bound to have come across a version of this white barbecue sauce.

I’m told it is very popular in Alabama and I have encountered it there many times before, but I’ve also seen it served as far north as Memphis, south along the Gulf Coast and as far east as Florida, Georgia and South Carolina.

I have heard it used as a chicken marinade in a couple of instances. Although usually it is not used during the cooking process but is served more as a condiment.

This recipe is particularly good on smoked chicken and ribs. Smoked or dry rubbed chicken is where I mostly use it.

White Barbecue Sauce shown in a small pouring pitcher.

White Barbecue Sauce

The sharp, vinegar based flavour really does cut through the smoky richness of tender ribs too. It complements their flavour very well.

It is a very quick and simple sauce to throw together. But if you leave it in the fridge for a day or so the garlic and other flavours meld nicely.

It will last a week or more in the fridge if you have any leftover. However, I tend to make it in small batches anyway.

This recipe makes only about a cup or so, which is quite small compared to many of the recipes you can find online. Feel free to make a double or triple batch if you are serving a large crowd at your BBQ.

These smoked wings pictured below also use a generous sprinkle of my Smokin’ Summer Spice Dry Rub. Then, they’re slow smoked with hickory or mesquite wood chips for about 2 hours at 250 degrees F.

They go particularly well with this white barbecue sauce when served as a dip. It’s sure to be a big hit at any summer BBQ!

For details on how to slow smoke chicken and other meats, even if using a gas grill and not a smoker, check out the instructions included with this recipe for Smoked Pork Loin.

Smokin Summer Spice Dry rub on smoked pork loin with title text added for Pinterest

Now what to serve on the side?

We have plenty of side dish inspiration to explore. Everything from baked beans & corn bread to deliciously different potato and pasta salads. Be sure to check out our collection of 35 Best BBQ Side Dishes

26 Best Barbecue Side Dishes photo collage for Pinterest

Like this White Barbecue Sauce recipe?

Find many more delicious ideas like this one in our Barbecue & Grilling Category!

To keep up with the latest home style cooking & baking ideas from Rock Recipes plus daily recipe suggestions from decadent desserts to quick delicious weekday meals, be sure to follow Rock Recipes Facebook Page and follow us on Instagram.

White Barbecue Sauce photo collage with title text for Pinterest.

You can also sign up for our FREE newsletter to know immediately when we add new recipes. You’ll also get weekly suggestions for great family friendly  meals and desserts too!

Rock Recipes a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Our product recommendations are almost exclusively for those we currently use or have used in the past.

White Barbecue Sauce being poured over a plate of smoked chicken.
Yield: 4 About 1 cup

White Barbecue Sauce

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes

Alabama White Barbecue Sauce - more of a condiment than a BBQ sauce, to serve with smoked or grilled chicken and ribs. The flavour complements both these meats very well.

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup plain mayonnaise
  • 1 tbsp water
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp coarse black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon Mustard
  • 1 teaspoon honey
  • 1 clove garlic, very finely minced
  • A few dashes of hot sauce or sriracha sauce to taste

Instructions

  1. Simple whisk all of the ingredients together until smooth.
  2. If you like the sauce a little thicker, just add another tablespoon or two of mayonnaise or thin it with a little more water if you find it's too thick for your taste. I've seen it from a very watery consistency to as thick as ranch dressing.
  3. Let sit in the fridge for several hours or overnight to let the flavours develop.
  4. Best made the day before.

Notes

This does make a relatively small batch of sauce to serve about 4 people or so. Double or triple the recipe as needed if serving larger groups.


The nutritional information provided is automatically calculated by third party software and is meant as a guideline only. Exact accuracy is not guaranteed. For recipes where all ingredients may not be used entirely, such as those with coatings on meats, or with sauces or dressings for example, calorie & nutritional values per serving will likely be somewhat lower than indicated.

Nutrition Information

Yield

4

Serving Size

1 grams

Amount Per Serving Calories 200Total Fat 21gSaturated Fat 3gUnsaturated Fat 0gCholesterol 11mgSodium 338mgCarbohydrates 2gSugar 2g

Did you like this recipe?

Do you love our "Real food recipes for real people'? Share the recipe on Facebook to let your friends know about us. They'll thank you for it.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Debbie D

Tuesday 30th of July 2019

Hi. BARRY LOOKING FORWARD TO TRYING THIS RECIPE TONIGHT. I DO NOT HAVE APPLE CIDER VINEGAR, COULD I SUBSTITUTE WHITE WINE VINEGAR?

Barry C. Parsons

Saturday 5th of October 2019

Sure.

Allan

Friday 27th of July 2018

I made this to go with some Cajun chicken kebabs which made a great accompaniment. I used up some ready cooked new potatoes which I added to a frying pan served with chipotle salt and this sauce went with that too. I thought the amount was spot on as it was literally a 5 minute job to make, made it lunch time was th evening, I will be making this again..

Laura

Sunday 1st of April 2018

I grew up in Decatur eating at Big Bob's and this is pretty close to theirs. It would be hard to get closer without the real Gibson recipe!

Brit

Friday 9th of March 2018

Amazing!! I’m from Texas and we don’t have white bar-b-que sauce!!! Love, love, love and its so easy to make!

Ashley

Thursday 18th of January 2018

How long does this keep? Like if you put it into a Squeeze bottle.

Barry C. Parsons

Tuesday 13th of March 2018

Up to a week, I'd say, at least a few days.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Skip to Recipe

Sharing is Caring

Help spread the word. You're awesome for doing it!