Why Is Alabama-Style BBQ Sauce White?
NEWS
By ELIAS NASH
Unlike the majority of America’s Barbecue Belt, Alabamans do not favor a tomato-based barbecue sauce, which is why their version doesn’t boast the typical reddish-brown hue.
What really sets Alabama white sauce apart is the fact that it uses mayonnaise as a base, creating the signature hue. The other two main ingredients are vinegar and black pepper.
Beyond that, recipes vary, with some cooks adding sugar to their white sauce to balance the vinegar or Worcestershire for a layer of umami. Spicy food lovers may add cayenne pepper.
They may also experiment with hot sauce or horseradish to give it an extra kick. Today, various barbecue joints across the state boast their unique takes on the Alabama white sauce.