- The sauce is too runny. What should I do?
- Add a little more mayonnaise. Remember, it will thicken as it cools.
- How long does it keep?
- In the fridge, in an airtight container, it is good for up to 1 week.
American Alabama white BBQ sauce
Forget red, tomato-based BBQ sauces! In Alabama, grilled chicken's best friend is this white, mayonnaise-based wonder. Invented by Big Bob Gibson in 1925, the secret is the balance of acidity and creaminess: horseradish and vinegar 'cut' through smoky, fatty meats, while mayonnaise softly coats them. It's brilliant not just as a dip, but also brushed onto meat (as a glaze) at the end of cooking.
Ingredients
200
g
Mayonnaise (good quality)
50
ml
White wine vinegar or cider vinegar
30
ml
Fresh lemon juice
10
g
Sugar
1
tsp
Ground black pepper (coarse)
1
tsp
Garlic powder
20
g
Grated horseradish (jarred or fresh)
1
pinch
Salt
Shopping List (0)
Equipment Needed
- Whisk: For stabilising the emulsion.
- Mixing bowl: For convenient mixing.
Allergen Information
Eggs (mayonnaise)
Sulphites (horseradish, vinegar)
Mustard (mayonnaise)
Instructions
1
✓
In a bowl, whisk the mayonnaise with the vinegar and lemon juice until smooth.
Tip: It is important to add the liquid gradually to the mayonnaise so the cream can absorb the acid without splitting. [Maintaining emulsion stability.]
2
✓
Add the dry spices: sugar, pepper, garlic powder, and the horseradish.
Tip: Coarsely ground pepper adds texture and visual appeal to the white sauce.
3
✓
Taste and season with salt as needed. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
Tip: During resting, the flavours meld (diffusion), and the consistency of the sauce becomes creamier.
4
✓
Serve with roast chicken or brush onto meat in the last 2 minutes of grilling.
Tip: Since it has a high fat content, it melts quickly over fire and bakes onto the meat, but be careful as it burns easily!
Recipe FAQ
Ingredients
- 200 g Mayonnaise (good quality)
- 50 ml White wine vinegar or cider vinegar
- 30 ml Fresh lemon juice
- 10 g Sugar
- 1 tsp Ground black pepper (coarse)
- 1 tsp Garlic powder
- 20 g Grated horseradish (jarred or fresh)
- 1 pinch Salt