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Alabama-Style White Barbecue Sauce

This Alabama-style white barbecue sauce is a tangy, creamy condiment primarily made with mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, and a kick from horseradish and cayenne. It's a quick-to-prepare sauce traditionally served with smoked or grilled chicken, but it also pairs excellently with other meats and seafood.
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Total Time 5 minutes
Servings: 6 people
Course: lunch/dinner
Cuisine: American
Calories: 3277.7
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main
  • 2 cups mayonnaise
  • 0.5 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 0.25 cup prepared extra-hot horseradish
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 2 teaspoons prepared yellow mustard
  • 1.5 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 0.5 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 0.25 teaspoon garlic powder

Equipment

  • 1 Large Mixing Bowl
  • 1 Whisk
  • 1 Set of Measuring Cups
  • 1 Set of Measuring Spoons

Method
 

  1. Gather all specified ingredients and necessary equipment.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, prepared extra-hot horseradish, fresh lemon juice, and prepared yellow mustard.
  3. Add the freshly ground black pepper, kosher salt, cayenne pepper, and garlic powder to the bowl.
  4. Using a whisk, thoroughly combine all the ingredients until the sauce is smooth and uniform.
  5. Taste the sauce and adjust any seasonings as needed, particularly the salt, pepper, and spice levels from the horseradish and cayenne.
  6. Cover the bowl and refrigerate the white barbecue sauce for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and deepen. For optimal taste, chill for several hours or overnight.
  7. Serve the chilled Alabama-style white barbecue sauce with grilled or smoked chicken, pork, seafood, or as a tangy dressing.

Notes

For authentic Alabama flavor, use a high-quality mayonnaise like Duke's; its tang and richness are essential. Freshly squeezed lemon juice is paramount for brightness and balance. Allow the sauce to chill for at least 30 minutes, or ideally several hours, before serving; this allows the flavors to meld and deepen. Taste and adjust the horseradish and cayenne to your preferred spice level. While classically paired with smoked chicken, this versatile sauce also excels with grilled pork, shrimp, or as a tangy dressing for coleslaw. For an extra layer of complexity, consider adding a pinch of smoked paprika or a dash of Worcestershire sauce.