I ran across a new version of Alabama’s white barbecue sauce for grilled chicken while looking for Fourth of July menus. If you hanker after horseradish, oregano and lemon zest, this latest recipe is the sauce for you. But you may agree with Miss Myra, owner of Miss Myra’s Pit Bar-B-Q in Birmingham, that only four ingredients are needed for the original version. Then you’ll stick to a simple combination of mayonnaise, vinegar, salt, and coarsely ground pepper for the purely authentic sauce.
You’ll have to trust Miss Myra on this one. The creator of white barbecue sauce, Bob Gibson of Big Bob Gibson’s Bar-B-Q in Decatur, Alabama isn’t giving away any secret recipes on his website.
If you haven’t tasted the original Gibson’s white barbecue sauce and you’re not good at guessing proportions, try Southern Living’s recipe. Or check out what Woman’s Day is cooking up for our favorite patriotic picnic.
Southern Living’s White Barbecue Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup white wine vinegar
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1 tablespoon coarse ground pepper
- 1 tablespoon spicy brown mustard
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons horseradish
How to Make It
- Stir together all ingredients until well blended. Store in an airtight container in refrigerator up to 1 week.
Woman’s Day Grilled Chicken with White Barbecue Sauce
Ingredients
- 1½ c. fat-free or light mayonnaise
- 1 tbsp. grated lemon zest
- ¼ c. each lemon juice and water
- 2 tbsp. chopped fresh oregano leaves
- 2 tbsp. white-wine Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tbsp. each coarse black pepper and yellow mustard
- 3 large cloves garlic
- 2 tsp. each sugar and prepared horseradish
- 5 lb. chicken parts
How to Make It
- Whisk together ingredients in a medium bowl. Place chicken in a 2-gallon ziptop bag; add 1⁄2 cup sauce, seal bag and toss to coat. Marinate chicken in refrigerator up to 2 days. Refrigerate remaining sauce.
- Heat oven to 375°F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil. Arrange chicken on baking sheet; bake 35 minutes, turning once.
- Heat outdoor grill to medium-high heat. Grill chicken, turning and basting frequently with 1⁄2 cup of the reserved sauce, until cooked through, about 15 minutes.
- Transfer to a platter; serve with remaining sauce.
For more Fourth of July recipes from Woman’s Day, read here: The Ultimate 4th of July Barbecue Menu.
