- How long does it last?
- Thanks to the high vinegar content, it stays fresh in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
- What else can I use it on?
- It's not just for chicken! It makes an incredible dressing for coleslaw, a dip for fries, or a drizzle over roasted pork.
- My sauce is too thick.
- Add a teaspoon of water or apple juice to reach your desired consistency. It should be pourable, like heavy cream.
Authentic Alabama White BBQ Sauce
A deviation from tomato-based sauces, this is an oil-in-water emulsion stabilized by egg yolks (in the mayonnaise). The high vinegar content functions to break down the proteins in poultry skin, while the fat from the mayonnaise emulsifies with the rendering chicken fat during cooking. Horseradish provides isothiocyanates, giving a pungent heat that differs from capsaicin heat.
Ingredients
1
cup
Mayonnaise (Duke's is traditional)
0.25
cup
White Vinegar (or Apple Cider Vinegar)
2
tbsp
Lemon Juice
1
tbsp
Sugar
1
tsp
Coarse Black Pepper
1
tsp
Garlic Powder
1
tbsp
Prepared Horseradish
1
pinch
Cayenne Pepper (optional)
Shopping List (0)
Equipment Needed
- Wire Whisk: A fork won't cut it. You need to vigorously whisk the vinegar into the mayonnaise to create a stable emulsion that won't separate.
- Glass Jar with Lid: The best vessel for both mixing (shake it!) and storage. Glass doesn't absorb odors like plastic containers do.
- Microplane/Grater: For the garlic (if using fresh) and horseradish, ensuring they melt into the sauce rather than remaining as chunks.
Allergen Information
Egg
Instructions
1
✓
Emulsify liquids.
Tip: Using a high-ratio yolk mayonnaise (like Duke's) ensures the emulsion doesn't break when mixed with the high volume of vinegar.
2
✓
Incorporate solids and spices.
Tip: Horseradish loses potency when exposed to air. Stir it in last and cover immediately.
3
✓
Rest.
Tip: The resting period allows the acetic acid to dissolve the sugar granules fully and hydrate the dried garlic powder.
4
✓
Apply to protein.
Tip: If applying to hot chicken, do so only in the final minute. Prolonged heat separates the oil from the egg protein in the mayo.
Recipe FAQ
Ingredients
- 1 cup Mayonnaise (Duke's is traditional)
- 0.25 cup White Vinegar (or Apple Cider Vinegar)
- 2 tbsp Lemon Juice
- 1 tbsp Sugar
- 1 tsp Coarse Black Pepper
- 1 tsp Garlic Powder
- 1 tbsp Prepared Horseradish
- 1 pinch Cayenne Pepper (optional)