What is Alabama white sauce?

It’s that creamy, tangy sauce you might’ve never heard of if you didn’t grow up near a smoker. Made mostly with mayo and vinegar, it’s sharp, smooth, and peppery. I first tasted it in a BBQ joint off a quiet Alabama highway—completely changed how I saw “sauce.” It clings to grilled chicken like it belongs there. Because it does.

Does Alabama white sauce taste like ranch?

No. Ranch is soft and herby. Alabama white sauce is bold and sharp—less salad, more smoke. There’s no dill, no parsley, just a vinegar punch, mayo base, black pepper, and maybe a kick of garlic or horseradish if you like it that way. It’s made for meat, not veggie trays.

What are the 3 types of white sauces?

Honestly? That depends who you ask. In my kitchen, there’s béchamel (for pasta bakes), ranch (because we all use it), and Alabama white sauce (when the grill’s hot). All white, but totally different jobs. Alabama white sauce? That’s the one you bring to a BBQ when you want people to ask what’s on the chicken.

Is Alabama white sauce supposed to be runny?

Yes. Definitely. It’s not meant to be thick. It should run just enough to soak in but not slide off. The thinner texture lets the flavor really get into the meat—especially right off the grill. If yours drips a little, you’re doing it right.

Alabama White Sauce: How to Make This Irresistible BBQ Favorite

Name: Alabama White Sauce – The Creamy Southern BBQ Secret You’ll Love
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Cuisine: Southern
Ingredients: 1 cup mayonnaise; ¼ cup apple cider vinegar; 1 tbsp lemon juice; 1 tbsp prepared horseradish; 1 tsp sugar; 1 tsp kosher salt; 1½ tsp black pepper; ½ tsp garlic powder; Optional: cayenne or hot sauce to taste

Description

A creamy, tangy Southern BBQ sauce made with mayo, vinegar, and black pepper. This Alabama white sauce is perfect for grilled chicken, pork, fries, and more.

Ingredients

Scale

1 cup mayonnaise
¼ cup apple cider vinegar
1 tbsp lemon juice
1 tbsp prepared horseradish
1 tsp sugar
1 tsp kosher salt
1½ tsp black pepper
½ tsp garlic powder

Optional: cayenne or hot sauce to taste

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Instructions

Add mayonnaise to a medium bowl.
Whisk in vinegar and lemon juice until smooth.
Stir in horseradish, sugar, salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.

Chill in the fridge for 30 minutes before serving.

Notes

Alabama white sauce is meant to be runny—this helps it soak into meats. Store in a sealed jar in the fridge for up to 1 week. Great as a basting sauce or dip.

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Category: Sauce
Method: Mixing
Cuisine: Southern, BBQ

Nutrition

Serving Size: 2 tbsp
Calories: 120
Sugar: 1g
Sodium: 220mg
Fat: 12g
Saturated Fat: 2g
Unsaturated Fat: 9g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 1g
Fiber: 0g
Protein: 0g
Cholesterol: 10mg