Creamy, tangy and a little bit smoky with just the right amount of heat, this easy Comeback Sauce takes 5 minutes to make and is dangerously good for dipping!
If you’re in Australia, there’s a very good chance you’ve never heard of Comeback Sauce. I hadn’t either until I started seeing it online served with Southern fried chicken, and considering my positive feelings about both fried chicken AND dipping sauces, obviously I needed to investigate.
Comeback Sauce is a creamy, slightly spicy American dipping sauce that originated in Mississippi and is particularly associated with Greek-owned restaurants in the Jackson area. Think of it somewhere in the world of burger sauce, spicy mayo and tartare – creamy and tangy with a little sweetness, smokiness and heat. It’s traditionally served as a dipping sauce or dressing and, once you make it, you’ll quickly understand the name. You really do keep coming back for more. 😂
My version starts with whole-egg mayonnaise and sour cream for a thick, creamy base. Ketchup brings sweetness and tang, dijon mustard and Worcestershire sauce give it a savoury edge, smoked paprika adds smokiness, and fresh lemon juice keeps the whole thing bright. Then there’s hot sauce. I use just enough for a gentle kick, but you can leave it out completely for kids or add more if you like things spicy.
I originally made this to go with my Honey BBQ Chicken Tenders, and OH MY GOSH. Crispy chicken, sticky BBQ sauce and then this cool, creamy sauce for dunking – completely unnecessary and completely worth it. 😂 It would also be brilliant with my Southern “Fried” Baked Chicken Strips, Hot Honey Crunch Chicken Burgers or Crispy Chicken Burgers. And don’t limit it to chicken – use it with fries or potato wedges, spread it onto burgers and sandwiches or drizzle it through a wrap. Your regular mayo is going to feel very boring after this.
Best of all, there is absolutely nothing complicated happening here. Add everything to a bowl, stir and you’re done in 5 minutes. You can also make it up to 3 days ahead, which means it can sit happily in the fridge waiting for something crispy to dunk into it.
What is Comeback Sauce?
Comeback Sauce is a creamy and slightly spicy dipping sauce originating in Mississippi in the southern United States. If you’ve never tried it, imagine something sitting between burger sauce, spicy mayo and tartare. Recipes vary, but mayonnaise and ketchup typically form the base, with ingredients such as mustard, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce and seasonings added for tang, savouriness and heat. The name is generally understood as a playful reference to the sauce being so good that you’ll “come back” for more. It became closely associated with Greek-owned restaurants around Jackson before spreading more widely through Southern cooking.
Is Comeback Sauce the same as burger sauce?
Not quite. They share some ingredients – particularly mayonnaise and ketchup – but Comeback Sauce generally has more tang, spice and savoury flavour thanks to ingredients such as Worcestershire sauce, mustard, hot sauce and paprika. It’s also incredibly versatile and works as a dipping sauce, burger sauce, sandwich spread or dressing.
Is Comeback Sauce spicy?
It doesn’t have to be. My recipe uses 1 teaspoon of hot sauce for a gentle kick rather than serious heat. You can leave it out completely for a mild, family-friendly Comeback Sauce, or add extra if you prefer things spicy.
What can I serve Comeback Sauce with?
This is very much an anything that needs dipping situation. Some of my favourites are:
- Fried or crispy chicken – Start with my Honey BBQ Chicken Tenders. It’s also fantastic with Southern “Fried” Baked Chicken Strips.
- Chicken burgers – Try it instead of mayo on my Hot Honey Crunch Chicken Burger or Crispy Chicken Burgers.
- Fries and potato wedges – Use it anywhere you’d normally reach for ketchup or mayonnaise.
- Burgers – Spread it generously over beef or chicken burgers.
- Wraps and sandwiches – It adds creaminess, tang and a little heat all in one sauce.
- Vegetables – Use it as a dip for crunchy raw vegetables or alongside roasted potatoes and vegetables.
If you enjoyed Comeback Sauce, I think you’ll love:
Best Homemade Tartare Sauce Recipe – This easy mayonnaise-based sauce, flavoured with pickles, capers, onion, dill and lemon takes just 10 minutes to pull together and goes with pretty much anything, but especially fish and veggies.
The BEST Homemade Ranch Dipping Sauce Recipe – Creamy, tangy, herby perfection in under 5 minutes! Dunk your fried chicken or chicken wings, use as a quick salad dressing, or slather on burgers, sandwiches or corn cobs.
Creamy Garlic and Herb Dipping Sauce Recipe – Everything you need for the perfect creamy dip: mayonnaise, Greek yoghurt, garlic, lemon, parsley, chives, salt and pepper. Simple ingredients that come together in minutes. You’ll want to dip everything in it – fries, chicken, wraps, you name it!
Sweet and Sour Dipping Sauce Recipe – A quick, homemade sweet and sour sauce made from simple pantry ingredients – the perfect fakeaway dip for chicken nuggets, rice bowls and stir-fries.
Gochujang Mayo Recipe – This spicy mayo made with gochujang (Korean chilli paste) is the easiest, most addictive sauce you’ll ever make – perfect for drizzling or dunking! Try it with sweet potato fries, wedges, burgers, rice and grain bowls, chicken tenders, sushi and wraps.
Comeback Sauce Recipe
Share Pin Recipe PrintIngredients
- 125 g (½ cup) whole-egg mayonnaise
- 60 g (¼ cup) sour cream (can be substituted with Greek yoghurt)
- 2 tbsp ketchup
- 1 tbsp dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp hot sauce (such as Tabasco or Frank’s), or to taste (optional, see note 1)
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice, or to taste
- ¼ tsp sea salt flakes, or to taste
- ¼ tsp freshly cracked black pepper, or to taste
Instructions
- Combine the sauce – Add all the ingredients to a small bowl. Stir until smooth and well combined.
- Taste and serve – Taste and adjust the seasoning to your liking. Add a little extra hot sauce if you like more heat, or an extra squeeze of lemon for more tang. Serve immediately or refrigerate until needed.
Nutrition information
Disclaimer re gluten-free and dairy-free recipes
