Big Bob Gibson's BBQ Book: Recipes and Secrets from a Legendary Barbecue Joint: A Cookbook Paperback - 2009

Big Bob Gibson Bar-B-Q White Sauce

Makes 4 cups

People raised in Decatur, Alabama, know that barbecue sauce is supposed to be white. For more than eighty years Big Bob Gibson’s has been dunking its golden-brown birds, fifty at a time, into a vat of this tangy, peppery white sauce. The steaming, glistening chickens are then cut to order for our customers.

For years and years the restaurant’s early-morning cooks closely guarded the white sauce recipe, which was made each day before the day shift arrived. However, even without doing the math, I can tell you that hundreds of cooks have passed through the pitrooms of Big Bob Gibson Bar-B-Q, so I don’t think you can describe this recipe as “closely guarded” anymore.

I do know that Big Bob’s techniques and recipes, including his white sauce, have influenced the flavors of regional barbecue in Alabama. The great thing about passing secrets is that every time they are shared they change slightly. There is now a large number of “authentic” versions of Big Bob’s original secret recipe and cooking method—all different from one another. This is one of my favorite examples.

• 2 cups mayonnaise
• 1 cup distilled white vinegar
• 1/2 cup apple juice
• 2 teaspoons prepared horseradish
• 2 teaspoons ground black pepper
• 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper


In a large bowl, combine all the ingredients and blend well. Use as a marinade, baste, or dipping sauce. Store refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.

“Now anyone can accomplish the terrific BBQ of Big Bob Gibson’s. Chris Lilly demystifies the downright mouthwatering art of low-and-slow cooking.”
—Bobby Flay

“If barbecue is your religion, then Chris Lilly is your High Priest. Say Amen and Hallelujah. And pass the Wet-Naps.”
—Al Roker

“This is the reaffirmation of why Chris is a world champion ten times over. Great recipes, great book.”
—Ozzie Smith, hall-of-fame shortstop, St. Louis Cardinals
 
“Chris Lilly is the latter-day Big Bob Gibson and the present-day sultan of smoke. With this book, he’s given barbecue lovers a remarkable gift–generously sharing every single secret, tip, and hard-earned lesson he’s learned while shouldering his way to the top of the pit!”
—Danny Meyer, co-owner, Blue Smoke

“Fourth generation pitmaster Chris Lilly talks the talk, walks the walk, and shows you how to smoke the competition–not to mention make perfect ribs, pork butts, whole hogs, and of course Big Bob's iconic barbecued chicken with white barbecue sauce.”
—Steven Raichlen

CHRIS LILLY is vice president, executive chef, and partner of Big Bob Gibson Bar-B-Q. The Big Bob Gibson Bar-B-Q Competition Cooking Team has won more than ten World BBQ titles in pork, chicken, ribs, and beef, and four World Grand Championships at "Memphis in May." Lilly is married to the great-granddaughter of BBQ legend Big Bob Gibson and is the author of Big Bob Gibson's BBQ Book and Fire and Smoke.