How to Make Alabama White Sauce (2024)

Sign in to access your profile, save content and more. Learn More

Popular searches

Articles

Series

Topics

Shop

Recipes

Sign In

Hunting
Fishing
Videos
Conservation
Gear
Recipes
Podcasts

Shop

MeatEater Store
Shop By Pursuit
How to Make Alabama White Sauce (7)
  • Wild Foods
  • Recipes

Lukas Leaf

  • Duration

    4 hours

  • Serves

    4

Chef’s notes

I made a whole mess of these fried beauties at a fundraising dinner last fall, and they did not disappoint. It was a fun scene watching the group of upland hunters wrangle the whole-fried quail, dripping with the Alabama white sauce and at the same time trying to manage a cold drink. It made for perfect party fare and is an excellent addition to any barbecue or potluck-style meal.

Brining in pickle juice is a killer way to tenderize and add great flavor to the game birds before taking an extended bath in seasoned buttermilk. The Alabama white sauce is, of course, not native to my Midwest stomping grounds. Still, the tangy combination of mayo and apple cider vinegar is a welcomed variation from the more traditional style of BBQ sauce. The folks down South got it pegged on this one, and I promise, after trying the sauce, you'll always want a jar on hand.

How to Make Alabama White Sauce (9)

Ingredients

  • 8 to 10 quail, plucked and trimmed
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup cornstarch
  • 1 qt. whole-fat buttermilk
  • 2 cups dill pickle juice
  • Lousiana hot sauce
  • Homemade cajun spice
  • Canola oil for frying

Cajun Spice

  • 2 tbsp. ground chili (cayenne, chipotle, or Arbol)
  • 2 tbsp. kosher salt
  • 2 tbsp. cracked black pepper
  • 2 tbsp. dry thyme
  • 2 tbsp. dry oregano
  • 2 tbsp. garlic powder
  • 2 tbsp. onion powder
  • 2 tbsp. smoked paprika

Alabama White Sauce

  • 1 cup mayonnaise
  • ½ cup apple cider vinegar
  • 3 tbsp. stone-ground or dijon mustard
  • 3 tbsp. fresh lemon juice
  • 2 tbsp. creamy horseradish
  • 2 tbsp. Louisiana hot sauce
  • 1 tbsp. Worchestershire sauce
  • 1½ tsp. garlic powder
  • 1½ tsp. cracked black pepper
  • 1 tsp. onion powder
  • 1 tsp. kosher salt

Also works with

Any small gamebird

Preparation

  1. Trim and pluck the quail. Firmly press down on the breast bone and flatten. Flattening the bird will help it fry evenly and hold its form during the frying process.
  2. Put the quail in a large Ziploc bag. Pour the pickle juice into the bag and remove as much air as possible. Place the quail in the refrigerator to marinate for at least an hour and up to two, flipping halfway through.
  3. While the quail is in the brine, make the Alabama white sauce. Combine all of the ingredients into a mixing bowl and whisk until combined. Pour the sauce into a jar and place it in the refrigerator.
  4. After 1 to 2 hours, remove the quail from the pickle brine. In a large container, pour in the quart of whole fat buttermilk and season with salt, pepper, and a heavy dash of Louisiana hot sauce. Put the quail in the buttermilk and press down to ensure they are covered. Allow the quail to marinate in the buttermilk for at least two hours or overnight.
  5. While the quail is taking its buttermilk bath, prepare the breading. Mix the flour, cornstarch, and cajun spice mix. Add the flour mixture to a large brown paper bag.
  6. Remove the quail from the buttermilk, one at a time, pouring off any excess juices, and add them to the brown paper bag with the flour. Shake the daylights out of the bag. Remove the quail and add them to a sheet tray lightly coated with the flour mix. Let them sit in the refrigerator for thirty minutes to an hour.
  7. Pull the quail and toss them a second time in the seasoned flour mix. A second toss in the breading will give you an extra crispy and evenly-fried finished product.
  8. Pour about three inches of canola oil into a dutch oven. Heat the oil to 340ºF. Fry the quail in two batches for about five minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 160ºF. Make sure to maintain the oil temperature so it doesn't fall below 325ºF or go above 350ºF. Test the temperature of the meat by inserting a thermometer into the center of the bird's cavity. Let the quail rest for ten minutes and serve with the Alabama white sauce.

Shop

Shop All

Save this product

MeatEater Store

MeatEater Smoke Signals BBQ Sauce

$9.99

Shop Now

Save this product

MeatEater Store

MeatEater Fire Breather Hot Sauce

$6.99

Shop Now

Save this product

MeatEater Store

The MeatEater Fish and Game Cookbook

$35.00

Shop Now

How to Make Alabama White Sauce (13) On Sale

Save this product

Spiceology

Jean-Paul Bourgeois Seasonings 6 pack

Save this product

Benchmade

Essential Meatcrafter™️ Knife

$180.00

Shop Now

Save this product

Benchmade

MeatEater Engraved Benchmade Meatcrafter 2.0 Knife

$405.00

Shop Now

Save this product

Anova Culinary

Sous Vide Precision Cooker 3.0

$199.99

Shop Now

Save this product

Penguin Random House

The MeatEater Outdoor Cookbook

$38.00

Shop Now

Save this product

Meater

Meater+ Bluetooth Thermometer

$99.99

Shop Now

Save this product

Meater

Block

$349.95

Shop Now

Save this product

MeatEater Store

The Complete Guide to Hunting, Butchering, and Cooking Wild Game: Vol. 1, Big Game

$28.00

Shop Now

Save this product

MeatEater Store

$28.00

Shop Now

Sign In or Create a Free Account

Access the newest seasons of MeatEater, save content, and join in discussions with the Crew and others in the MeatEater community.

Related

Recipes

Quail Fricassee

(1)

Kevin Gillespie

In Episode 3 of Sourced, Danielle Prewett, Durrell Smith, and I hunt quail in my home state of Georgia.This recipe is a spin on a classic Southern dish that's often be made with rabbit or chicken. The key to its success is allowing the butter in the pan to brown lightly before adding the meat. You want to remove the quail from the pan while making the sauce to ensure that delicate meat isn't overcooked when you serve it.I've added a slight but...

Recipes

Pheasant in White Wine Sauce

(2)

Kevin Gillespie

This recipe is from our MeatEater Cooks series. Click here to watch Cal and I cook up this special pheasant dish.While nearly every hunter knows how to deal with pheasant breasts, many find the legs and thighs of the bird to be a serious culinary challenge. This Alsatian version of the more common “coq au vin” uses the acidity of white wine to tenderize the legs and speed up the cooking process. The key to success is allowing the meat to rest a...

Recipes

How to Whole-Fry a Fish

(1)

Jesse Griffiths

This preparation of a whole, crispy panfish riffs heavily off the concept of the bloomin’ onion. The fish is scaled and gutted, then the fillets are slightly cut away from the body (but make sure to leave them still attached). The goal here is to expose some of the flesh and create more surface area for breading. Check out the picture of the bluegill below to see what I mean.This eater-friendly version of the whole-fried fish is a favorite at my...

Save this recipe

Recipe by: Lukas Leaf

How to Make Alabama White Sauce (28)
  • Duration

    4 hours

  • Serves

    4

Chef’s notes

I made a whole mess of these fried beauties at a fundraising dinner last fall, and they did not disappoint. It was a fun scene watching the group of upland hunters wrangle the whole-fried quail, dripping with the Alabama white sauce and at the same time trying to manage a cold drink. It made for perfect party fare and is an excellent addition to any barbecue or potluck-style meal.

Brining in pickle juice is a killer way to tenderize and add great flavor to the game birds before taking an extended bath in seasoned buttermilk. The Alabama white sauce is, of course, not native to my Midwest stomping grounds. Still, the tangy combination of mayo and apple cider vinegar is a welcomed variation from the more traditional style of BBQ sauce. The folks down South got it pegged on this one, and I promise, after trying the sauce, you'll always want a jar on hand.

How to Make Alabama White Sauce (29)

Ingredients

  • 8 to 10 quail, plucked and trimmed
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup cornstarch
  • 1 qt. whole-fat buttermilk
  • 2 cups dill pickle juice
  • Lousiana hot sauce
  • Homemade cajun spice
  • Canola oil for frying

Cajun Spice

  • 2 tbsp. ground chili (cayenne, chipotle, or Arbol)
  • 2 tbsp. kosher salt
  • 2 tbsp. cracked black pepper
  • 2 tbsp. dry thyme
  • 2 tbsp. dry oregano
  • 2 tbsp. garlic powder
  • 2 tbsp. onion powder
  • 2 tbsp. smoked paprika

Alabama White Sauce

  • 1 cup mayonnaise
  • ½ cup apple cider vinegar
  • 3 tbsp. stone-ground or dijon mustard
  • 3 tbsp. fresh lemon juice
  • 2 tbsp. creamy horseradish
  • 2 tbsp. Louisiana hot sauce
  • 1 tbsp. Worchestershire sauce
  • 1½ tsp. garlic powder
  • 1½ tsp. cracked black pepper
  • 1 tsp. onion powder
  • 1 tsp. kosher salt

Also works with

Any small gamebird

Preparation

  1. Trim and pluck the quail. Firmly press down on the breast bone and flatten. Flattening the bird will help it fry evenly and hold its form during the frying process.
  2. Put the quail in a large Ziploc bag. Pour the pickle juice into the bag and remove as much air as possible. Place the quail in the refrigerator to marinate for at least an hour and up to two, flipping halfway through.
  3. While the quail is in the brine, make the Alabama white sauce. Combine all of the ingredients into a mixing bowl and whisk until combined. Pour the sauce into a jar and place it in the refrigerator.
  4. After 1 to 2 hours, remove the quail from the pickle brine. In a large container, pour in the quart of whole fat buttermilk and season with salt, pepper, and a heavy dash of Louisiana hot sauce. Put the quail in the buttermilk and press down to ensure they are covered. Allow the quail to marinate in the buttermilk for at least two hours or overnight.
  5. While the quail is taking its buttermilk bath, prepare the breading. Mix the flour, cornstarch, and cajun spice mix. Add the flour mixture to a large brown paper bag.
  6. Remove the quail from the buttermilk, one at a time, pouring off any excess juices, and add them to the brown paper bag with the flour. Shake the daylights out of the bag. Remove the quail and add them to a sheet tray lightly coated with the flour mix. Let them sit in the refrigerator for thirty minutes to an hour.
  7. Pull the quail and toss them a second time in the seasoned flour mix. A second toss in the breading will give you an extra crispy and evenly-fried finished product.
  8. Pour about three inches of canola oil into a dutch oven. Heat the oil to 340ºF. Fry the quail in two batches for about five minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 160ºF. Make sure to maintain the oil temperature so it doesn't fall below 325ºF or go above 350ºF. Test the temperature of the meat by inserting a thermometer into the center of the bird's cavity. Let the quail rest for ten minutes and serve with the Alabama white sauce.
How to Make Alabama White Sauce (2024)

FAQs

What is Alabama white sauce made of? ›

This addictive white sauce is a mayonnaise (preferably Duke's) and vinegar-based barbeque sauce with salt, pepper, and garlic. Similar to a zesty coleslaw dressing, this sauce sometimes has a little cayenne or horseradish for an extra kick.

How do you dilute white sauce? ›

To change the thickness of a white sauce, simply use more or less butter and flour (keeping them equal) while using the same amount of milk. Thin white sauce: Use 1 tablespoon of butter and 1 tablespoon of flour.

Who made the original Alabama white sauce? ›

A staple of Northern Alabama barbecue, this sauce is primarily a mixture of mayonnaise, vinegar, salt, and pepper. It was invented by Robert Gibson at Big Bob Gibson's Bar-B-Q in Decatur, AL, where freshly smoked chickens are pulled from the pit and then "baptized" in a pool of the sauce.

How to thicken white sauce? ›

Combine 2 tablespoons flour with every 1/4 cup cold water and whisk until smooth. Add the mixture to your sauce over medium heat, and continue to stir and cook until you've reached your desired consistency. Test with a spoon.

What is white sauce made of? ›

What Is In White Sauce? This traditional white sauce starts with a roux of equal parts all-purpose flour and butter, which gives the sauce a rich and creamy base. Whole milk thins the butter-flour mixture, turning the roux into a sauce.

What are the two white sauces? ›

Béchamel – milk-based sauce, thickened with a white roux. Beurre blanc – Reduction of butter, vinegar, white wine and shallots.

Why is my white sauce not mixing? ›

The white sauce is lumpy

Cause: fat (butter) was too warm when flour was added; roux was not mixed well or did not cook long enough; liquid was added too quickly and not stirred enough.

How do you know when white sauce is done? ›

Once you've finished adding the milk, the sauce will start to thicken fairly quickly, but it's not ready until it's thick enough to coat the back of a spoon. If you're not sure, dip a spoon into the sauce. If the béchamel is properly thickened, it should stay on the back of the spoon.

How do I make my sauce more creamy? ›

Cheese and dairy give sauces creaminess while butter and oil give them richness. You also don't need to use a lot — these are just for finishing and rounding out the flavors in a sauce. Whole Milk or Heavy Cream: Add a splash and let the sauce simmer for a few minutes to thicken.

What hot sauce is made in Alabama? ›

Alabama Hot Sauce Premium Jalapeno is truly a different experience! Made from Canadian #1 yellow mustard seeds and Red Biker Billy Jalapeno peppers, fermented in the Alabama Hot Sauce kitchen, this mustard delivers the rich taste of premium mustard, with just a touch of the heat of jalapeno peppers.

What is Al original sauce? ›

Sauce in the US includes tomato purée, raisin paste, spirit vinegar, corn syrup, salt, crushed orange purée, dried garlic and onions, spice, celery seed, caramel color, potassium sorbate, and xanthan gum. The 'Original' A1 recipe exported to the USA dramatically differs from the versions sold in the UK and in Canada.

Where did Mexican white sauce come from? ›

But that tangy, creamy salsa counterpart you know as 'white sauce' isn't well known, if at all, to the rest of the country. Locals trace its origins to Norfolk in the 1970s and a restaurant called El Toro. “That was the only Mexican restaurant at the time,” said Dana Smith-Clifton.

Why is my white sauce thin? ›

Remember, though, that béchamel is so easy and forgiving, even if you get the ratio wrong, it's incredibly easy to fix: If yours comes out too thick, just whisk in more milk until the desired consistency is reached; if it's too thin, either simmer it down, allowing evaporation to thicken the sauce up, or cook a little ...

Does milk thicken white sauce? ›

Adding milk to a sauce can help it thicken because of the proteins and fats present in the milk. When the sauce is heated, the proteins in the milk coagulate and cause the sauce to thicken. The fat in the milk also contributes to the thickness of the sauce.

What are 2 ways to thicken sauce? ›

Ways To Thicken Sauce
  • Tomato Paste. If your soup or stew is watery, adding tomato paste may help! ...
  • Arrowroot. You might prefer to avoid gluten in your recipes. ...
  • Flour. ...
  • Reduce Your Liquid. ...
  • Puréed Vegetables. ...
  • Egg Yolk. ...
  • Yogurt. ...
  • Rice.
Jul 15, 2022

What is Greek white sauce made of? ›

Tzatziki is a creamy cucumber yogurt dip (or sauce) made from simple ingredients including strained yogurt (or Greek yogurt), cucumbers, garlic, and sometimes fresh herbs such as dill or mint. Traditionally, it is made from strained sheep or goat's milk yogurt, but a full-fat Greek yogurt works just fine in this dip.

What is the classic name for white sauce made from milk and flour? ›

The French term for this medium-thick white sauce is béchamel. The foolproof way to attain a perfectly smooth sauce is to have the milk hot when added to the butter and flour.

Is white sauce made of cheese? ›

Is white sauce and cheese sauce the same? No. “white sauce” refers to what's more commonly called a bechamel sauce. It's made from a roux (flour cooked in melted butter) that's used to thicken milk.

What is the white sauce Americans call gravy? ›

Cream gravy or white gravy (sawmill gravy) is a bechamel sauce made using fats from meat—such as sausage or bacon—or meat drippings from roasting or frying meats.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Aron Pacocha

Last Updated:

Views: 5506

Rating: 4.8 / 5 (68 voted)

Reviews: 83% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Aron Pacocha

Birthday: 1999-08-12

Address: 3808 Moen Corner, Gorczanyport, FL 67364-2074

Phone: +393457723392

Job: Retail Consultant

Hobby: Jewelry making, Cooking, Gaming, Reading, Juggling, Cabaret, Origami

Introduction: My name is Aron Pacocha, I am a happy, tasty, innocent, proud, talented, courageous, magnificent person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.