If you’re craving a tangy, creamy barbecue sauce with a bold Southern twist, this White BBQ Sauce Recipe is your new best friend! Hailing from Alabama, this mayonnaise-based wonder dances between zippy vinegar, horseradish heat, and a medley of bold spices—perfect for drizzling over grilled chicken, dunking fries, or jazzing up veggies. Let’s take your barbecue game up a notch with this irresistibly different sauce!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Unique Southern Flavor: This White BBQ Sauce Recipe brings a zesty, creamy kick that’s wildly different from traditional tomato-based barbecue sauces.
- Ridiculously Easy: Just whisk together a handful of pantry staples—you’ll be done in 10 minutes flat.
- Deliciously Versatile: Use it as a marinade, sandwich spread, dipping sauce, or grill-topper—it upgrades everything from chicken to veggies.
- Crowd-Pleasing Boldness: Tangy, creamy, with just the right amount of punchy spice—watch your guests rave and ask for the recipe!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Don’t blink—this White BBQ Sauce Recipe comes together with everyday ingredients you might already have in your kitchen. Each one has a role to play, from the creamy base to the subtle heat, lending a kick of character to every bite.
- Mayonnaise: The creamy backbone—choose a high-quality mayo for the best flavor and silky, rich texture.
- Apple Cider Vinegar: Packs tang and brightness that wakes up your taste buds.
- Brown Mustard: Spicy brown mustard gives the sauce a robust, savory edge—don’t skip it!
- Brown Sugar: Adds a subtle sweetness that balances out the acidity and heat.
- Prepared Horseradish: This delivers signature heat and zip—if you love a punch, use the spicy kind.
- Lemon Juice: Freshens everything up with lively, citrusy notes.
- Worcestershire Sauce: Brings a little umami depth and complexity.
- Hot Sauce: Enhances the heat to your liking, and adds color to that creamy white base.
- Garlic Powder: Rounds out the savory flavors with mellow pungency.
- Onion Powder: Adds subtle sweetness and depth for a satisfying finish.
- Cayenne Pepper: Just enough spice to keep things interesting—but you control the heat!
- Salt and Pepper: Essential for seasoning—customize to taste, but a generous pinch is key.
Variations
The real beauty of the White BBQ Sauce Recipe? It’s almost endlessly customizable! Don’t hesitate to play around—tailor it to spice lovers, smoky barbecue fans, or make it work for special diets. Here are some easy ways to change things up:
- Smoky White Sauce: Add a splash of liquid smoke or a pinch of smoked paprika for a subtle, Southern barbecue flair.
- Lightened-Up Version: Swap regular mayo for light mayo or Greek yogurt if you prefer a tangy, lighter touch.
- Bolder Heat: Double up the hot sauce, add extra horseradish, or toss in minced fresh jalapeño for serious spice.
- Vegan-Friendly: Use your favorite vegan mayo and ensure your Worcestershire sauce is anchovy-free.
How to Make White BBQ Sauce Recipe
Step 1: Gather and Measure Ingredients
Before diving in, lay out all your ingredients on the counter and measure each one. This ensures your White BBQ Sauce Recipe comes together in a snap—no scrambling for spices mid-whisk!
Step 2: Whisk to Creamy Perfection
Add everything—mayonnaise, vinegar, mustard, sugar, horseradish, lemon juice, Worcestershire, hot sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne, salt, and pepper—into a medium mixing bowl. Whisk vigorously until the sauce is completely smooth and silky with no streaks. Taste-test and adjust salt, pepper, or heat if you like!
Step 3: Chill and Let Flavors Meld
While you can absolutely enjoy this White BBQ Sauce Recipe right away, it truly shines after chilling. Pour it into a jar or airtight container, then let it hang out in the fridge for a couple of hours so the flavors can mingle and deepen to BBQ magic.
Pro Tips for Making White BBQ Sauce Recipe
- Balance the Tang: Taste as you go—if it’s too sharp, add a pinch more brown sugar; if you want extra zip, squeeze in more lemon juice or vinegar.
- Choose Spicy Horseradish: For that authentic kick, look for prepared horseradish labeled “hot” and stir well before measuring.
- Whisk Until Ultra-Smooth: Don’t stop whisking until your sauce has zero lumps—this gives you that restaurant-quality creamy finish.
- Chill for Best Flavor: If you have time, let the sauce rest in the fridge for a few hours—this simple step lets the flavors bloom into perfection.
How to Serve White BBQ Sauce Recipe
Garnishes
A sprinkle of freshly cracked black pepper gives this White BBQ Sauce Recipe a little visual drama; chopped chives or sliced green onion add a pop of color and a fresh, savory note. If you love it spicy, an extra dusting of cayenne over the top before serving is downright eye-catching (and fiery!).
Side Dishes
This sauce begs to be slathered over grilled chicken, smoked turkey, or juicy pork, but it also shines as a dip for crispy fries, sweet potato wedges, or crunchy crudités. Want to really impress? Drizzle it over a platter of charred corn or serve alongside tangy pickles, baked beans, or simple coleslaw.
Creative Ways to Present
Pour your White BBQ Sauce Recipe into a mason jar or vintage condiment squeeze bottle and set it in the center of your next barbecue spread—guests love grabbing their own! For appetizers, try using it as a fun dip alongside grilled shrimp skewers or drizzle artfully on a platter of deviled eggs for a Southern party twist.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover White BBQ Sauce Recipe in a clean jar with a tight-fitting lid or an airtight container. It will keep beautifully in your refrigerator for up to a week—if it lasts that long! Always give it a good stir before using, as it may separate slightly.
Freezing
While technically you can freeze mayo-based sauces, the texture isn’t always the same after thawing. For best results and flavor, I recommend enjoying your White BBQ Sauce Recipe fresh from the fridge within the week—no freezing needed!
Reheating
This sauce is best served cold or at cool room temperature. If it has thickened in the fridge, just let it sit out for a few minutes and give it a stir—there’s no need to heat it, as warming can cause the sauce to separate.
FAQs
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What makes this White BBQ Sauce Recipe different from traditional barbecue sauce?
This White BBQ Sauce Recipe swaps out the usual tomato or ketchup base for creamy mayonnaise and apple cider vinegar, delivering a bright, tangy, and slightly spicy flavor profile that’s unique to Alabama-style barbecue.
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Can I make this sauce dairy-free or vegan?
Absolutely! Use your favorite vegan mayonnaise, and ensure your Worcestershire sauce is vegan (some contain anchovies). Double-check your hot sauce and other condiments to confirm they’re plant-based.
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How spicy is this White BBQ Sauce Recipe?
The sauce has a pleasant heat from horseradish, cayenne, and hot sauce, but you can easily control the spice level—use less cayenne or a milder hot sauce to keep it tame, or amp it up if you love things fiery!
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What foods taste best with White BBQ Sauce Recipe?
It’s a total knockout with grilled or smoked chicken, turkey, pork, and even seafood. Don’t stop there—try it with roasted veggies, as a spread for sandwiches, or for dipping crispy potatoes and fries.
Final Thoughts
There’s something magical about sharing a homemade sauce that surprises and delights, and this White BBQ Sauce Recipe does just that. Whip up a batch for your next cookout or weeknight dinner—you’ll find yourself reaching for it again and again (and maybe fielding a few recipe requests!). Enjoy every tangy, creamy, and oh-so-Southern bite!
Print
White BBQ Sauce Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Sauces & Condiments
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This White BBQ Sauce recipe is a tangy and creamy twist on traditional barbecue sauce. Perfect for marinating, dipping, or slathering on grilled meats.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients:
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
Seasonings:
- 1 tablespoon brown mustard (I use a spicy brown mustard)
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons prepared horseradish (I use a hot horseradish)
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon hot sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- Salt and pepper to taste (I use 1/2 teaspoon each)
Instructions
- Whisk all of the ingredients together: In a small bowl, combine all the ingredients and whisk until smooth.
- Use immediately or refrigerate: Enjoy the white BBQ sauce right away, or for best results, transfer it to a sealable jar and refrigerate for a few hours to let the flavors meld.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 340mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 4g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 0g
- Cholesterol: 10mg
