Looking for an all-purpose dipping sauce with a spiced, sweet, and tangy flavor? Comeback sauce is the answer. This mayo-and-chili-sauce-based Southern specialty features easy prep and pairs perfectly with chicken, fries, burgers, and more.
Comeback sauce comes standard on smashburgers at our favorite Nashville burger spot, and I'm fully on board with it being a superior option to plain old mayo.
With its spiced-not-spicy, tangy, little-bit-sweet flavor, it's a Southern sauce staple that makes a sneakily versatile accompaniment to more than just burgers. Essentially a zipped-up flavored mayonnaise, think of it as an excellent dipping sauce for a whole host of crunchy, fried delicacies. It's my go-to for air fryer fried green tomatoes.
Vaguely pink in color, comeback sauce looks like thousand island dressing (without the relish) and Cajun remoulade sauce (without the horseradish and smoky notes), but is probably closest to a Southern chicken chain's signature sauce...not that anyone knows exactly what's in that.
Recipe Ingredients
Everyone's homemade comeback sauce is a little different, but the base recipe generally involves mayonnaise, ketchup, and chili sauce.
I swerve slightly and leave out the ketchup entirely, using all chili sauce. It's basically a zestier, bolder ketchup that has more of an impact when diluted with mayo. Ketchup, even in a smaller amount, just seemed too sweet when I tested.
Mayonnaise - Everyone has a preference - use your favorite. For what it's worth my house mayo is Duke's Light with Olive Oil, which I use here, and don't find the richness to be lacking. If the thought of light mayo makes you sweat, full-fat is more than fine.
Chili Sauce - This is a slightly spicier version of ketchup with a more zipped-up flavor. I use the Heinz variety found alongside the ketchups in the condiment aisle. Important: this is not sriracha. Five tablespoons of sriracha here would not be a good time.
Hot Sauce - Go with your favorite vinegar-based hot sauce. Two teaspoons provides more flavor than spice, but do add more at the end if you'd prefer hotter.
Worcestershire Sauce - Gives that super savory background boost of umami flavor.
Spices - A well-rounded blend of dry mustard, garlic powder, and onion powder for classic flavor. Using garlic/onion in granulated form means there's no chopping or mincing, saving you time and dishes to wash.
Salt and Pepper - One-quarter teaspoon of pepper is a baseline - add more if you'd like a nice peppery kick (I do).
Easy Recipe Steps
Measure out all ingredients to a bowl.
A standard-size cereal bowl will do the trick, or use a lidded food storage container.
Stir and refrigerate.
Stir well until all ingredients are combined evenly. Cover and refrigerate for at least one hour (several hours to overnight is even better) to allow the flavors time to meld.
Serving Suggestions
Comeback sauce can be used in many of the situations you'd serve a flavored mayo or aioli, but its creamy, slightly sweet and tangy flavor acts as an especially nice foil to spicier foods.
- On burgers (smashed or otherwise) or drizzled over burger bowls.
- As a salad dressing. Thin it out a little extra, if desired, with water and/or a touch more lemon juice.
- Alongside another Southern star - traditional or air fryer fried green tomatoes.
- With all kinds of delicious fried foods: french fries, onion rings, air fryer chicken tenders, tater tots, etc.
- Paired with seafood, including fish patties like baked tuna cakes or baked salmon patties, or a dipping sauce for shrimp.
Its partner in these fried green tomato photos? Easy lemon aioli - I highly recommend!
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Comeback Sauce
Ingredients
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 5 Tablespoons chili sauce (such as Heinz, this is not sriracha)
- 2 teaspoons fresh-squeezed lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons hot sauce add more to taste
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- ¾ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¾ teaspoon mustard powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon fine salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly-ground black pepper add more to taste
Instructions
- Stir together all ingredients in a bowl until smooth. Taste and adjust the seasoning as you like - I'll usually add more freshly-cracked pepper and sometimes more hot sauce.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a fitted lid, then refrigerate for at least an hour before serving, ideally several hours or overnight.
- Use as a burger sauce, dipping sauce for fried or air-fried dishes like fried green tomatoes, french fries, fried chicken or shrimp, accompaniment to fish patties or roasted vegetables, etc.
Notes
- Chili sauce: This can be found jarred next to the ketchup - it's basically a zestier ketchup. It's not sriracha, sweet chili sauce, chili garlic sauce, etc. which all have quite different flavors and spice levels.
- Hot sauce: Use your favorite, and add more after tasting if you'd like it hotter! I go with a relatively mild vinegar-based sauce like Texas Pete.
- Storage instructions: Store comeback sauce in the refrigerator in an air-tight container for up to a week. Freezing is not recommended as it'll separate.
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Nutrition
Nutritional information is provided as an estimate. As it can vary due to many factors (brands used, quantities, etc.), we cannot guarantee its accuracy.
Food Safety and Nutrition Disclaimer
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