A Wonderful Old Recipe From Alabama
White barbecue sauce? For many, that sounds unusual. In much of the country, barbecue sauce is red — tomato-based, smoky, and sweet, used on ribs or chicken straight from the grill.
Nearly a century ago, Alabama pitmaster Big Bob Gibson introduced a tangy, creamy white sauce that changed barbecue in the region. It remains a local favorite for good reason.
Originally brushed onto smoked chicken, the sauce kept meat moist while adding bold flavor from mayonnaise, vinegar, pepper, and spices. It’s tangy, savory, and especially delicious on grilled or smoked chicken.
Bob started cooking for family and friends in the 1920s, serving barbecue on rough oak planks nailed to a sycamore tree in his backyard. That small operation eventually became the legendary Big Bob Gibson Bar-B-Q restaurant, where the white sauce is still beloved today.
Why White Barbecue Sauce Tastes So Good
No one alive today worked directly with Big Bob, so the original secret proportions are part of Southern lore. Still, the core ingredients have remained consistent: mayonnaise, vinegar, salt, pepper, and a touch of acid like lemon juice.
Bob slow-smoked whole chickens over hickory and knew an extra fat-based sauce would keep the meat juicy. That idea birthed a creamy sauce built on mayonnaise and brightened with vinegar, pepper, and seasonings.
The result is creamy, tangy, peppery, and excellent on smoked or grilled chicken. It also pairs well with pork, sandwiches, burgers, fries, and roasted vegetables.
Cooks have made countless personal variations — a dash of horseradish, a pinch of cayenne, or a spoonful of sugar — and nearly every pitmaster swears their version is the best. Yet the heart of the sauce remains unchanged: a creamy, zippy finish that keeps barbecue moist and memorable.
In recent years, Alabama white sauce has spread well beyond the South. Once people try it, they quickly see why it has earned such a following.
Make grilled chicken with White Barbecue Sauce a great summer meal!
Popular side dishes:
Grandma-Style Potato Salad
Baked Beans
Coleslaw Pasta Salad
Jiffy Corn Casserole
This Is All You Need To Make White BBQ Sauce
This simple recipe uses full‑fat mayonnaise (not salad dressing), apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, brown sugar, horseradish, black pepper, and salt. The mayonnaise provides richness while the vinegar and mustard add zing; brown sugar softens the bite and horseradish lends a gentle heat.
Making it takes minutes: whisk everything in a bowl, transfer to a jar, and refrigerate. It keeps about a week when stored with clean utensils.
When used as a basting or finishing sauce on grilled chicken, it helps the meat stay moist and adds bright, savory flavor. It’s also a tasty dip for chips and vegetables or a spread for sandwiches.
Use it to baste during the final minutes of grilling or drizzle it over finished chicken. Because it contains mayonnaise, avoid prolonged exposure to very high heat—apply near the end of cooking or serve as a finishing or dipping sauce.
It’s a family favorite for quick meals and special occasions alike. Leftover sauce brightens sandwiches and salads, and a little goes a long way to transform plain chicken into something memorable.
A Delicious Idea For What We Call Plan-overs
At home we never call them leftovers. We call them “plan-overs” or “bonus meals.” One simple lunch idea is to combine leftover grilled chicken, greens, dried berries, and a drizzle of the white sauce for a quick, colorful salad that tastes fresh and satisfying.
This versatile sauce will change how you serve chicken and is equally good on roasted vegetables and sandwiches.
PRINTABLE RECIPE CARD
White Barbecue Sauce
A unique mayonnaise-based sauce that’s perfect for grilled chicken and great as a dip or dressing.
10 minutes
10 minutes
Ingredients
- 1 cup full fat mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 2 tsp Dijon mustard
- 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 Tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp horseradish
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp salt
Instructions
- Whisk all ingredients together in a medium bowl until smooth. Transfer to a jar with a tight lid and refrigerate. Use within one week.
Notes
Good mayonnaise choices include Hellman’s or Duke’s for best texture and flavor.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
12
Serving Size:
1
Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 133
Total Fat: 14g
Saturated Fat: 2g
Trans Fat: 0g
Unsaturated Fat: 11g
Cholesterol: 8mg
Sodium: 248mg
Carbohydrates: 2g
Fiber: 0g
Sugar: 1g
Protein: 0g
FAQs
What is white barbecue sauce made of?
White barbecue sauce is typically mayonnaise-based with vinegar, salt, pepper, and often lemon juice. Variations add horseradish, mustard, garlic, sugar, or cayenne.
What does Alabama white BBQ sauce taste like?
It’s creamy, tangy, peppery, and a little sharp from the vinegar — not sweet or tomato-based like red sauces.
What meat goes best with white BBQ sauce?
Chicken is the classic pairing, especially smoked or grilled. It also complements pork, turkey, burgers, sandwiches, and roasted vegetables.
Do you cook white BBQ sauce on the meat?
Brush it on near the end of cooking or use it as a finishing sauce. Because it contains mayonnaise, avoid prolonged high heat.
How long does homemade white BBQ sauce last?
Stored in a covered jar in the refrigerator and handled with clean utensils, it should keep about one week.
Can I use white BBQ sauce as a marinade?
It works best as a finishing sauce, dip, or dressing. For marinating, use a traditional marinade first and apply the white sauce after grilling.
Try These Other Interesting Sauces
Sauces can transform a meal. A few favorite recipes include Jezebel Sauce, Cranberry Orange Sauce, and a sweet, sticky Dr. Pepper BBQ Sauce. Experiment and find what you like best.
If you try this recipe, feedback and reviews are always appreciated — they help support small food creators.
Love, GB (Betty Streff)