Spicy Alabama White BBQ Sauce
This Spicy Alabama White BBQ Sauce is a fiery twist on the classic Alabama favorite, this creamy and tangy sauce combines zesty flavors with a kick of heat, perfect for adding a spicy punch to your smoked or grilled meats.
What is Alabama White BBQ Sauce?
If you are from the Midwest like me you may have never heard of a white barbecue sauce. And no I am not talking about Ranch Dressing! Growing up our backyard cookouts usually included a traditional tomato-based barbecue sauce and that is all we knew.
If you are from the South you have no doubt heard of Bob Gibson, who is often credited with popularizing Alabama White BBQ Sauce. Big Bob Gibson Bar-B-Q restaurant has been serving this sauce dating back to the 1920s. The white barbecue sauce is a mayonnaise-based mixture with a tangy and slightly spicy flavor. It is most commonly enjoyed as a sauce for barbecue chicken but it is also a versatile condiment for other smoke meats, sandwiches, and even vegetables.
Choosing Your Ingredients
- Mayonnaise: The base of the sauce is mayonnaise, which provides a creamy texture and richness.
- Vinegar: Using apple cider vinegar adds tanginess and acidity to the sauce. White vinegar can be used in a pinch but apple cider vinegar adds a hint of sweetness.
- Lemon Juice: Freshly squeezed lemon juice adds a citrusy note and brightness to the flavors.
- Seasonings: Fresh minced garlic or garlic powder brings the savory notes while the red pepper flakes and cayenne pepper bring the heat. Adjust the cayenne pepper quantity to suit your preference for spiciness. Finally, salt and pepper enhance the flavors and balances the overall taste.
Preparing the Sauce
The keys to making a great sauce are balance and consistency. Start with mixing the mayonnaise and apple cider vinegar and adjusting the quantities as needed. The sauce should have a thick but pourable consistency. If you need to thin it out add a little more vinegar or water if you don’t need more tang. Next, mix in your spices. If you are not sure about the heat, add a little cayenne pepper at a time until you reach your preferred level of spiciness. Don’t forget to add the lemon juice to brighten up the flavors of the sauce.
The beauty of any barbecue sauce lies in its versatility, so feel free to adjust the ingredients to suit your taste preferences and desired tanginess, creaminess, and spice. Some people like to add Worcestershire sauce for a savory umami tangy flavor. Prepared horseradish can add a fresh and crisp spicy taste to awaken the taste buds.
Once you are satisfied with the flavors pour into an air-tight container or jar and place in the refrigerator for at least one hour to allow the flavors to meld.
Spicy Alabama White BBQ Sauce can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 1 to 2 weeks.
This sauce goes great with barbecue chicken or any of your favorite grilled meats. It also makes a great tangy dipping sauce for vegetables.
Enjoy the spicy tang and creamy goodness of this Alabama-inspired BBQ sauce!
If you love this Alabama White BBQ Sauce click the link below to check out one of my favorite recipes.
Spicy Smoked Pulled Chicken Sandwich
This sauce takes these sandwiches to the next level.
Spicy Alabama White BBQ Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ¼ tsp crushed red pepper
- ¼ tsp cayenne pepper
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 1 lemon juiced
Instructions
- In a medium-sized bowl, combine the mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, garlic powder, crushed red pepper, cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper. Stir well to thoroughly combine all the ingredients.
- Taste the sauce and add more seasoning as needed. For additional heat add more cayenne pepper, for more tang add more apple cider videgar.
- Once the sauce is mixed well, cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld together.
- Serve the Spicy Alabama White BBQ Sauce with grilled or smoked meats such as chicken, pork, or ribs. It also makes a great dipping sauce for vegetables.
