Comeback Sauce Recipe

Try making this Comeback Sauce Recipe that's easy to make with a few pantry ingredients. It's creamy, slightly spicy, and mildly sweet. Perfect to pair with potato wedges, onion rings, and chicken fingers.

This sauce is similar to the sauce at Zaxby's and Gutherie's, so I love pairing it with Southern Fried Chicken and the Baked Potato Wedges Recipe. It's also great to use to dip some Oven Roasted Broccoli with as well.

One of my favorite things about going to certain fast-food restaurants is getting a piping hot and fresh chicken finger basket with extra sauce. The sauce is my go-to pairing to dip the chicken and fries in. It's creamy and has the perfect balance of sweet and spicy.

Trust me when I tell you that it's so good AND you can make it at home yourself using a few basic pantry ingredients.

Let's get started!

What is Comeback Sauce?

Comeback sauce is a southern condiment that can be commonly found in restaurants to serve as a dipping sauce for fried foods. It originated at a Greek restaurant, The Rotisserie in Jackson, Mississippi serving as their house dressing. The sauce was said to be so good that it would make folks want to 'come back' to the restaurant again and again.

Nowadays many small restaurants and corporate restaurant chains have their own version of the sauce to pair with your favorite fried foods.

Comeback Sauce Ingredients

1. Mayonnaise - Serves as the base of the sauce. Allows it to become thick and creamy. I prefer to use Duke's mayonnaise, but use any brand that you prefer.
2. Ketchup - Adds a nice touch of sweetness to the sauce and a bit of tanginess. Use any brand that you prefer.
3. Chili Sauce - This can be easily located at your local grocery store in the condiment aisle usually beside the ketchup. This adds a nice tangy and mildly spicy flavor to the sauce. I love using Heinz chili sauce. If you prefer to use sriracha sauce instead, it can be used as a substitute.
4. Worcestershire Sauce - Provides a nice savory and umami flavor to the sauce, be sure not to skip using this ingredient because it really helps to balance all of the ingredients together.
5. Garlic Powder - A substitution for raw minced garlic and blends well in the sauce to provide a mild roasted flavor.
6. Onion Powder - Pairs well with the garlic powder to add spice to the sauce. Gives the sauce a mild pungent kick without the use of raw onion.
7. Dry Mustard - Adds a tangy flavor to the sauce, Dijon mustard or yellow mustard may be used instead.
8. Cajun Seasoning - Gives the sauce a mildly salty and spicy flavor that really helps to balance out the sweetness in the sauce.
9. Salt - Brings out the flavor of the other ingredients used in the sauce and keeps the sauce from tasting flat.
10. Ground Black Pepper - Provides a mild bit of spice to the sauce. Try to use freshly ground black pepper.
11. Hot Sauce - Adds heat to the sauce, but don't worry the small amount does not make the sauce spicy.
12. Lemon Juice - A much needed acid for the sauce to smooth out the flavors.

See the recipe card below for exact ingredient quantities and instructions.

How to Make Classic Southern Comeback Sauce

Begin the recipe by grabbing a large mixing bowl. Add the mayonnaise, ketchup, chili sauce, and Worcestershire sauce. Stir to combine.

Next, stir in the garlic powder, onion powder, dry mustard, cajun seasoning, salt, and ground black pepper. Add in the hot sauce and lemon juice. Stir until all of the ingredients are combined and the sauce is slightly smooth and creamy.

Serve immediately paired with fried chicken fingers, fried shrimp, burgers, or some potato wedges. If not using immediately store it in the refrigerator until you're ready to use it. Enjoy!

Recipe Tips & Tricks

• As you're making the comeback sauce, taste it, and feel free to make adjustments as needed according to your preference.
• You may use any hot sauce that you prefer, it is up to you. Lousiana, Crystal, Frank's RedHot, Tabasco, or even Sriracha will all work.
• You may also make this sauce by adding all of the ingredients into a blender or food processor and processing until combined and smooth.
• This sauce can be used in so many ways. Serve it with roasted vegetables, French fries, chicken tenders, onion rings, fried shrimp, salads/salad dressing, etc.

Storage Tips

Store the sauce in the refrigerator in a jar with a lid or an airtight container with a lid for up to 1 month, that is if it lasts that long. If you notice the mixture separating, this is normal, simply shake or stir it before serving.

Want More Easy Recipes? Try These:

• Chicken Nuggets and Fries
• Southern Fried Catfish
• Easy White Country Gravy
• Baked Potato Wedges Recipe
• Yum Yum Sauce
• Easy Homemade Pasta Sauce
• Old Fashioned Hamburger Recipe
• Toasted Steak Sandwich

Have any comments, questions, or other delicious ways to enjoy this Comeback Sauce Recipe? Please share them in the comments below!

📖 Recipe

Original post date 03/01/2023. Updated 08/21/2024.