menu icon
go to homepage
  • Holiday Recipes
  • Recipe Index
  • Guides
  • Tutorials
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Holiday Recipes
    • Recipe Index
    • Guides
    • Tutorials
    • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×
    In the Kitch » Recipes » Condiments

    White BBQ Sauce

    Joss Dyckson author photo.
    Updated: May 9, 2024 · Published: Aug 23, 2023 by Joss Dyckson · This post may contain affiliate links.
    Jump to Recipe

    The look of this homemade, white BBQ sauce may confuse you but it still has that smoky, tangy taste that you would expect from the classic deep brown-colored sauce.

    White BBQ sauce in a small jar with a spoon.

    This sauce is not 'Alabama white sauce'; it's simply my own version of white BBQ sauce. In fact, I didn't even know what that was until after creating this recipe.

    This style of BBQ sauce is white because it is not made up of a cooked tomato base and other ingredients that give it that bold, dark color like molasses and Worcestershire. Instead, I use a mayo base with white vinegar; even the pepper is white to avoid adding color to this delicious, must-have, summer condiment!

    We do a lot of barbecuing in the summer, so when I am feeling bored of the same old sauce for my grilled burgers, chicken wings, smokies and pork, I turn to this recipe. I even like to use it as a dip for fish sticks.

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • How to Make it
    • Top Tip
    • Serving Suggestions
    • Recipe FAQs
    • ❤️More Sauce Recipes You Will Love
    • 📋Recipe

    Ingredients

    White BBQ sauce ingredients prepped and labeled on light grey background.

    These ingredients were carefully chosen to keep this BBQ sauce smooth and white but still have that classic smoky flavor (similar to my smoky maple burger sauce) that matches perfectly with barbecued foods like burgers and chicken.

    It's also great for people who are avoiding food with tomato in it but are looking for a close alternative. It makes about 1 cup or 16 tablespoons.

    • mayonnaise - I use full fat but feel free to go light.
    • white vinegar - I use white vinegar to avoid coloring the sauce but still give it that classic tang. You can substitute with apple cider vinegar if preferred.
    • liquid hickory smoke - Adds that classic, smoky BBQ sauce flavor.
    • garlic powder and onion powder - Also classic BBQ sauce ingredients.
    • white pepper - White pepper is more mild and smooth in flavor than black pepper.
    • mustard powder - Feel free to omit if you don't like the taste of mustard powder.

    *Check recipe card for ingredient amounts.

    How to Make it

    This recipe is as simple as whisking together all of the ingredients; no cooking required. Use it in the same way you would regular BBQ sauce.

    Mayo and spices in a small glass bowl with a whisk.

    Step 1. Whisk. In a medium bowl, whisk all of the BBQ sauce ingredients together, until combined well.

    White BBQ sauce in a small jar on a plate with sliced, breaded chicken breast on the side.

    Step 2. Transfer. Transfer to a jar or squeeze bottle and it's ready to use.

    Top Tip

    If you can wait a day to use it, the sauce's flavors will develop and intensify.

    Serving Suggestions

    • Use it as a dip for chicken wings, Cajun fries and mozzarella sticks.
    • Slather it on bison burgers, blackened chicken sandwiches or pulled pork burgers.
    • Drizzle it over grilled corn on the cob, grilled broccoli or other grilled and/or roasted veggies.

    Recipe FAQs

    How long does it last in the fridge?

    Your fresh BBQ sauce can be stored in a jar or squeeze bottle for up to two weeks in the fridge.

    Is there a substitute for the mayo?

    This sauce is mayo-based and an important ingredient in this sauce, but a close substitute would be Miracle Whip. You might have to add less sugar because Miracle Whip is sweet. You can also use a vegan mayo.

    White BBQ sauce in a small jar on a plate.

    ❤️More Sauce Recipes You Will Love

    • Mole sauce in a bowl with cilantro and black sesame seeds.
      How to Make Mole Sauce
    • Honey dill sauce in small jar with mini serving spoon.
      Simple Honey Dill Sauce
    • Jerk sauce in food processor.
      How to Make Jerk Sauce
    • Chipotle sauce pouring from blender into jar.
      How to Make Chipotle Sauce

    If you tried this White BBQ Sauce Recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. And please share the recipe!

    📋Recipe

    White BBQ sauce dripping from spoon.

    White BBQ Sauce Recipe

    Joss Dyckson
    The look of this homemade, white BBQ sauce may confuse you but it still has that smoky, tangy taste that you would expect from the classic deep brown-colored sauce.
    5 from 1 vote
    Prevent your screen from going dark
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Recipe Saved!
    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Total Time 5 minutes mins
    Course Condiment, Sauce
    Cuisine American
    Servings 16 tablespoons
    Calories 99 kcal

    Ingredients
     
     

    • 1 cup mayonnaise
    • 1 tablespoon white vinegar
    • 2 teaspoons liquid hickory smoke
    • 1 tablespoon white sugar
    • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
    • ½ teaspoon onion powder
    • ¼ teaspoon white pepper
    • ¼ teaspoon salt
    • ⅛ teaspoon mustard powder

    Instructions
     

    • In a medium bowl, whisk all of the BBQ sauce ingredients together, until combined well.
    • Transfer to a jar or squeeze bottle and it's ready to use. It can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

    Notes

    • Your fresh BBQ sauce can be stored in a jar or squeeze bottle for up to two weeks in the fridge.
    • Feel free to omit the mustard powder if you don't like the taste.
    • I use white vinegar to avoid coloring the sauce but still give it that classic tang. You can substitute with apple cider vinegar if preferred.
    • If you can wait a day to use it, the sauce's flavors will develop and intensify.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 99kcalCarbohydrates: 1gProtein: 0.2gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 6gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0.03gCholesterol: 6mgSodium: 127mgPotassium: 6mgFiber: 0.04gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 9IUVitamin C: 0.02mgCalcium: 2mgIron: 0.05mg

    Nutrition information on In the Kitch is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. It may not include toppings and/or sauces.

    Want to see our recipes in action?Subscribe to our channel on Youtube!

    More Homemade Condiment Recipes

    • Pumpkin seed butter in jar.
      Pumpkin Seed Butter
    • Collage of coffee syrups.
      12 Coffee Syrup Recipes to Upgrade Your Brew
    • Caramel syrup in a jar and hot coffee in a mug.
      Caramel Syrup for Coffee
    • Cocktail syrups infusing in bottles.
      How to Prepare Cocktail Syrups
    39 shares
    • Share31
    • Tweet
    • Email
    • Bluesky
    • Reddit
    5 from 1 vote (1 rating without comment)

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Joss Dyckson author photo.

    Hi, I'm Joss!

    I am the creator and editor of In the Kitch. I am inviting you on this food journey with me to learn, grow and bring out that inner chef in you. I hope to inspire you to get creative in your own kitchen!

    More about me →

    Christmas Recipes

    • Caramel brûlée latte and sauce on blue background.
      Caramel Brûlée Sauce + Latte (Copycat)
    • Roasted beets and turnips in wooden serving bowl.
      Christmas Side Dish: Roasted Beet & Turnip Duo
    • Sliced bison roast on white serving dish with vegetables.
      Slow Cooker Bison Roast
    • Christmas wreath salad on white background.
      Christmas Wreath Salad
    • Goat cheese shots with mini breadsticks and Christmas lights on the side.
      Cranberry Goat Cheese Mini Dips (Christmas Appetizer)
    • Chocolate mug cake mix in a red mug with Christmas gift label.
      Food Gift Recipe: Fudgy Chocolate Mug Cake

    Popular

    • Cuban lunch chocolate bars stacked.
      Cuban Lunch Chocolate Bar Recipe
    • Cake pop frosting in bowl with spatula.
      Cake Pop Frosting & Coating
    • Peanut butter soup in a speckled bowl.
      Peanut Butter Soup
    • Hamburger scrambled eggs in cast iron pan.
      Hamburger Scrambled Eggs
    • Electric skillet fried chicken in a dish.
      Electric Skillet Fried Chicken
    • Electric skillet pot roast with vegetables on serving tray.
      Electric Skillet Pot Roast

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    In the Kitch

    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms & Conditions
    • Disclaimer
    • Accessibility Statement

    About

    • About
    • The Team

    Contact

    • Contact

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2025 In the Kitch

    Rate This Recipe

    Your vote:




    A rating is required
    A name is required
    An email is required

    Recipe Ratings without Comment

    Something went wrong. Please try again.