Alabama White Sauce BBQ Recipe

By Rex Marketing & CX Team

Person cooking chicken at a charcoal grill beside a table with white BBQ sauce bottles and plates

Why Alabama White Sauce is the Ultimate Grilling Game-Changer

Alabama White Sauce is a regional BBQ staple that swaps traditional tomato bases for a tangy blend of mayonnaise and vinegar. This distinct white sauce provides a zesty, peppery kick that enhances the natural flavors of smoked chicken and fried vegetables. By using a high-quality acid like Desert Hibiscus Honey Vinegar, opens in a new tab, you can transform a simple condiment into a powerful marinade that ensures moist, flavorful meat every time you grill.

I love a good regional recipe. I was recently introduced to Alabama White Sauce just in time for grilling season. This BBQ sauce stands in contrast to others in both color and taste. While most sauces are sweet and tomato-based, this recipe is built on a mayo and vinegar base with specific spices to produce a tangy profile.

Three Ways to Use Alabama White Sauce

  1. The Perfect Finish: Traditionally used to finish smoked chicken, this sauce is incredibly versatile
  2. The Dipping Essential: Use it as a zesty dip for fried green tomatoes or okra.
  3. The Secret Marinade: As a "weeknight griller," I have found that using this as a marinade for chicken results in the absolute moistest grilled chicken I have ever had.

Grilling Directions

  • Marinate: Soak your chicken for at least 15 minutes. Use more time for larger, bone-in pieces.
  • Control the Heat: Be careful not to grill at too high of a temperature. The fat in the mayo and the natural sugars in the honey vinegar will produce dark grill marks. You want to prevent these from becoming true burns.
  • Serve: Drizzle more fresh sauce on the table after grilling for an extra tangy kick.

 

Tips for Mastering the Alabama White Sauce Recipe

  • Whisk Until Smooth: In a medium bowl, mix the vinegar and honey first until the honey is fully dissolved. Add the remaining ingredients and whisk until there are no mayo lumps.
  • Embrace the "Rest" Period: Allow the sauce to sit in the fridge for at least 15 minutes. This gives the horseradish and spices time to fully flavor the liquid.
  • Customize Your Kick: While the base must be mayo and vinegar, feel free to tweak the heat. Our version uses a heavy hand with horseradish and Worcestershire for a deeper, more savory profile.

 

FAQs About Alabama White Sauce

What makes Alabama White Sauce different from regular BBQ sauce? 

Traditional BBQ sauce is usually red and sweet due to tomatoes and molasses. Alabama White Sauce uses mayonnaise and vinegar, making it white, creamy, and tangy.

Can I use Alabama White Sauce on things other than chicken?

Absolutely. While it is the classic pairing for smoked chicken, it is excellent on pulled pork, as a coleslaw dressing, or as a dipping sauce for fried seafood and vegetables.

How long does homemade Alabama White Sauce last?

When stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, this sauce typically stays fresh for up to one week.

Related products

Desert Hibiscus Honey Vinegar bottle with pink-orange liquid and white cap on white background.

Desert Hibiscus Honey Vinegar

Prices: Sold Out

Recent articles

Cipollini onion agrodolce in a bowl, with bottle of Quince and Chardonnay Vinegar in background.

Cipollini Onion Agrodolce (& Crostini!)

June 27, 2026
Skillet of garlic shrimp in sherry vinegar sauce, with chopped parsley and crusty background bread.

Garlic Shrimp

April 25, 2026
Pepper Jam Grilled Cheese

Pepper Jam Grilled Cheese with Craft Vinegar

March 27, 2026

Alabama White Sauce BBQ

American Vinegar Works

Servings

Makes approx. 1.5 cups

Prep Time

20 minutes

Cuisine

American (Southern BBQ)

Category

Dressings & Sauces / BBQ

Alabama White Sauce is a distinct regional barbecue specialty that stands in tangy contrast to sweet, tomato-based sauces. Built on a foundation of mayonnaise and vinegar, it gets its signature kick from horseradish, black pepper, and cayenne. While traditionally used to finish smoked chicken, this versatile sauce is excellent as a marinade, a basting sauce for grilling, or a dip for fried foods like green tomatoes and okra. Using it as a marinade for chicken results in incredibly moist, flavorful meat.

Alabama White Sauce BBQ

Ingredients

  • 1 cup of mayonnaise 

  • 1/3 cup Desert Hibiscus Honey Vinegar (or other Sweet & Tangy line vinegar)

  • 1 tablespoon of honey 

  • 2 tablespoons of prepared horseradish 

  • 1 teaspoon of ground mustard powder

  • ½ teaspoon of salt

  • ½ teaspoon of fresh ground black pepper

  • ¼ teaspoon of ground ginger

  • ¼  teaspoon of cayenne pepper

  • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder 

  • ¼ teaspoon paprika (smoked is best)

  • 2 teaspoons of Worcestershire sauce

Directions

  1. In a medium bowl mix vinegar and honey together until honey is fully dissolved.  Add all other ingredients and whisk until the mayo is well blended with all the spices (no mayo lumps).   Allow sauce to rest in the fridge at least 15 minutes—this will give time for the spices and horseradish to flavor the liquid.  You can then adjust seasoning by adding more salt and pepper as needed.  

  2. The sauce is now ready to use as chicken marinade (15 minutes at least), to brush onto/finish chicken on the grill just before it is done grilling, or for drizzling on cooked chicken or fried foods like fried okra or fried green tomatoes.  For what it is worth my favorite use is as a grilled chicken marinade both because of the flavor and how absolutely moist it leaves grilled chicken. 
Glass mug of hot apple cider with cinnamon stick and star anise on a yellow and red background
See More Recipes