We’ve been having some crazy warm weather lately. We’re used to warm weather but 80 in February? That was a little insane! The warm weather has got me looking forward to all the foods that I typically associate with summer, especially barbecue.
This sandwich jumped out at me because of my deep love of pulled pork. This recipe has an interesting twist on cooking method though – it’s cooked for a relatively short time and in a mixture of apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, and spices. I always thought that pork needed to cook all day long to get that nice shred but this turned out perfectly in just an hour!
About the Alabama barbecue sauce – I’ve lived in Alabama all my life and never once saw a white barbecue sauce before I started reading blogs so I have no idea how authentic this is. The recipe is pretty much just a spicy coleslaw dressing which would make sense considering that some people (weirdos) put coleslaw on their pulled pork. It was actually really good on the pork and it was definitely a nice change from the normal smoky barbecue sauce.
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Pulled Pork with Alabama Barbeque Sauce
Ingredients
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons white vinegar
- 1 teaspoon coarsely ground fresh pepper
- 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
- Dash of salt
- Pork:
- 1 ¼ pounds pork tenderloin (trimmed)
- ½ cup apple cider vinegar
- ½ cup water
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- ¾ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
1. To prepare sauce, combine the first 5 ingredients in a small bowl. Cover and chill.
2. To prepare pork, cut pork in half lengthwise; cut crosswise into 2 ½-inch pieces.
3. Combine apple cider vinegar, water, brown sugar, salt, pepper, chili powder, and garlic powder in a medium saucepan; bring to a boil.
4. Add pork to pan. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 1 hour or until tender.
5. Remove pork from cooking liquid; shred with 2 forks.
6. Place pork in a serving dish; pour cooking liquid over pork.
7. Bring sauce to room temperature before serving with pork.
Nicky says
I am so going to have to make this at weekend! Poker night munches me thinks! Happy days from Mallorca xx
Olive says
I grew up in Decatur, AL and Jim above is right. White BBQ Sauce comes from Big Bob Gipson’s in Decatur. This is where it originated. And traditionally it’s used on grilled chicken, not pork. This is definitely a northern alabama thing, although you can buy the sauce online and in some stores regionally. Interestingly enough, Saveur magazine had a BBQ issue this summer, and Big Bob’s white sauce was highlighted with a recipe that was supposedly close to the original. For pork, we’ve always used the VERY vinegar based sauce with hardly any tomato in it (tomato sauce, ketchup, etc.). And yes, I like cole slaw on my pork sandwich. And pickles. :) Alas, I live in the West now, and pulled pork can not be gotten – unless it’s from my own kitchen. Hence, the reason I was searching for a vinegar dressing recipe and ran upon your blog! I knew you posted this months ago, but couldn’t resist commenting!
Jim says
Growing up in North Alabama (Athens and Decatur area), we traditionally used white sauce for bbq chicken. However, I also liked it on the pulled pork at times. We always had some in the fridge. As for the authenticity of the recipe, you are actually closer to the real stuff than most of the published recipes for it. I tend to use alittle more vinegar and salt. Some use cider vinegar. Good Stuff! BTW, I like slaw (vinegar based, no mayo) on my pork sandwiches. BBQ really differs between the northern third of Alabama and the rest of the state.
Ana says
I hadn’t seen white bbq sauce until I moved to Mississippi, and even then it was at a chain. Newks serves it on their Newk’s Q. Even then I think Newks started in north MS. Any who, fun post! I am going to have to try the quick pulled pork, thanks for the recipe.
Square Grouper says
White sauce is a North Alabama thing. That’s why folks from other parts of the state may not have seen it. I first came across it at Lawler’s in Decatur on my trips south to Gulf Shores, but there are other fine establishments in the area that serve a similar sauce. It goes surprisingly well with pork, in my estimation.
Krystin says
I have also lived in Alabama my entire life, first Montgomery, now Tuscaloosa, and have never seen or heard of white bbq sauce until this post!
Kevin (Closet Cooking) says
That sandwich looks so good!
Amber says
Hod did you get the dark edges and carmelization? I just made some, followed the recipe exactly, but it is very bland looking. Haven’t tasted it yet, but it almost looks like I just boiled some pork without any seasoning. Did you sear it first? THANKS!
amanda says
The caramelization was actually a burn. Whoops! All the liquid cooked out without me noticing and I had some BLACK pieces of meat. :( Searing might be a good idea if you’re looking for the darker pieces. Let me know if you try again! :)
Jen @ BeantownBaker.com says
I love pulled pork too and have never heard of Alabama BBQ but I definitely want to try it.
Nicole@HeatOvenTo350 says
I’ve heard of southern BBQ souce before but never knew what was in it. This looks pretty tasty.
Deb says
Thumbs up!! I LOVE pulled pork and I look forward to the summer farmer’s markets in the city when they have the grill out and have a bunch of these sandwiches hot and ready to go. I’ll definitely keep this recipe in mind, thanks Amanda! And ooo, I see brussel sprouts in the background :D
Apicius' Apprentice says
Awesome twist on an old favorite! I’ll have to put this in the line up to give it a try.
natalie (the sweets life) says
that picture has me dying for one!! I’ve never heard of white sauce before but I’m intrigued!
Katie says
I love barbecue, and I’ve never heard of white sauce before. I’ll definitely have to give it a try sometime!
Emma says
Oooh yummy yum yum! I’m one of those ‘weirdos’ who love coleslaw with my pulled pork, but I have to confess sometimes the crunchy texture detracts from the beautiful soft shredded meat, so next time I shall have to try some Alabama BBQ sauce!
Amy says
One of my friends from Florence raves about Alabama white sauce, and it is available at a few bbq joints here in Nashville. I can’t wait to try this! It sounds super easy.
leaf (the indolent cook) says
There’s something about pulled pork that just seems so warm and inviting! :)
Hannah (Hannah Lives) says
So… Hows about I come visit you and your 80 degree weather, and you can make me a sandwich? Or I can make you a sandwich since I will be sleeping on your couch… MmmmK? Thanks!