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Newk's White BBQ Sauce Recipe
Louis T. Vaught

Newk's White BBQ Sauce Recipe

5 from 1 vote
If you’ve ever dined at Newk’s Eatery and fallen head over heels for their tangy, creamy white BBQ sauce, you’re not alone. This copycat Newk’s white BBQ sauce recipe brings that restaurant-quality flavor straight to your kitchen in just minutes. Unlike traditional red BBQ sauces, this Alabama-style white sauce features a mayonnaise base brightened with apple cider vinegar and lemon juice, creating a perfect balance of creamy, tangy, and slightly spicy notes.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 2 minutes
Total Time 7 minutes
Servings: 28
Course: Sauce
Cuisine: American
Calories: 378

Ingredients
  

  • 3 cups mayonnaise full-fat, real mayonnaise recommended
  • 3 tablespoons sugar white granulated
  • 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper freshly ground preferred
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Equipment

  • Large mixing bowl
  • Wire whisk
  • Rubber spatula
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Clean jar or airtight container for storage
  • Citrus juicer (optional, for lemon juice)

Method
 

  1. Add the 3 cups of mayonnaise to your large mixing bowl first. Make sure to scrape out every bit from the jar with a rubber spatula to avoid waste. Using full-fat, real mayonnaise is crucial for achieving that authentic restaurant texture and flavor.
  2. Add the 3 tablespoons of sugar right on top of the mayonnaise. The sugar will help balance out the tangy flavors that come next and prevent the sauce from tasting too acidic.
  3. Pour in the 1/4 cup of apple cider vinegar slowly. This is where the magic happens-the vinegar gives this copycat newk’s white bbq sauce recipe its signature tang that makes it different from regular mayo-based sauces.
  4. Add the 2 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice. Squeeze it fresh from real lemons for the best taste. The lemon brightens everything up and adds that extra zing that makes this Alabama white sauce so special.
  5. Sprinkle in 1 teaspoon of salt and 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper. These seasonings bring out all the other flavors and make everything taste more complete. Freshly ground black pepper delivers the best aromatic quality.
  6. Add 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper. This gives the newks q sauce its special kick without making it too hot. You can always add more later if you want extra heat, but start conservative.
  7. Take your wire whisk and start mixing everything together. Whisk gently but thoroughly in a circular motion. Don’t use a blender or food processor because that will make the sauce too thin and runny. You want to keep that thick, creamy texture that clings to chicken and sandwiches.
  8. Keep whisking until everything is completely combined and smooth. The sauce should be creamy white with tiny flecks of the spices mixed throughout-no streaks of mayonnaise or pockets of vinegar should remain.
  9. Transfer the sauce to a clean jar or container with a tight lid. For best results, refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld together beautifully.

Video

Notes

Store your homemade white BBQ sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. Always use clean utensils when serving to prevent contamination. Since this is a cold sauce, no reheating is necessary-simply stir well before each use as separation may occur naturally over time.