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Comeback Sauce

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The original post published in May 2011.  I’ve updated the photos to spare myself some embarrassment from the total lack of photography skills in the early days of blogging.

Ask anyone from Mississippi if they know about Comeback Sauce and they will look at you shocked for even asking the question.  Of course, everyone in Mississippi knows about Comeback Sauce.  Even if you’ve never heard the name, you probably know it, too.   The sauce that’s served by the steak house chain made famous by the onions that bloom, is reminiscent of Comeback Sauce.  Chances are you’ve had it on a burger or sandwich at a new age sandwich shop.  It’s a versatile sauce that also makes a great salad dressing.   The origins are debated, but most attribute the sauce to a Greek immigrant who settled in Mississippi after WWII.

Comeback Sauce in a jar with crackers on a plate

Most recipes agree on the proportions of mayonnaise to ketchup to chili sauce and heavy on the black pepper.  After that, the amounts of all the other ingredients are up for grabs.

Comeback Sauce

Del Monte Chili Sauce. Look for it on your condiment aisle. If you can’t find Del Monte, Heinz is a suitable substitute.

Chili Sauce is a condiment that is  usually found on the same aisle as ketchup, mayo and mustard.   Look for it on the top shelve.  The bottle  contains 12 ounces.  I’ve always preferred Heinz, but,  my store  was recently out of Heinz and I bought Del Monte which I’ve found is just as good.   It’s always nice to have an option.   Chili Sauce and chili pepper are not the same.

Comeback Sauce in a jar with crackers on a plate

I formulated this recipe to give it as much shelf life as possible.  Since I opted for garlic powder and onion powder over fresh garlic and onion,  the sauce will keep in your refrigerator for as long as you would keep mayonnaise and ketchup.  But, don’t worry.   It will be eaten long before you have to worry about it spoiling.

Comeback Sauce in a jar with crackers on a plate

It’s uses are many.  It’s a dip for vegetables and chips, a salad dressing, a sauce for seafood or a sandwich spread.  I will be serving mine tonight with Salmon Patties.  It is good on EVERYTHING, except Cheerios.

Comeback Sauce in a jar with crackers on a plate

 

Comeback Sauce

Mix all ingredients well and store in refrigerator overnight.  It needs to sit to let the flavors become “acquainted”.   They shouldn’t rush into marriage.

yield: one pint

1 cup Duke’s mayonnaise (one of my Favorites)

1/4  cup Heinz ketchup

1/4 cup chili sauce  ( I prefer Heinz or DelMonte.  DO NOT substitute Thai Chili Sauce)

1 heaping teaspoon Dijon mustard

1 teaspoon onion powder

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce

1 teaspoon ground black pepper

1/4 teaspoon Tabasco sauce

1/4 cup light olive oil

juice of one lemon

Mix all ingredients well and store in refrigerator overnight.

 

Comeback Sauce in a jar with crackers on a plate

Comeback Sauce. The most popular recipe on SyrupAndBiscuits.com. Use as a salad dressing, sandwich spread, or dip. It goes with EVERYTHING......except Cheerios.
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3.42 from 119 votes

Comeback Sauce

The sauce that's served by the steak house chain made famous by the onions that bloom, is reminiscent of Comeback Sauce.  Chances are you've had it on a burger or sandwich at a new age sandwich shop.  It's a versatile sauce that also makes a great salad dressing.
Author: Jackie Garvin

Ingredients

  • 1 cup Duke’s mayonnaise one of my Favorites
  • 1/4 cup Heinz ketchup
  • 1/4 cup chili sauce I prefer Heinz or DelMonte. DO NOT substitute Thai Chili Sauce
  • 1 heaping teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon Tabasco sauce
  • 1/4 cup light olive oil
  • juice of one lemon

Instructions

  • Mix all ingredients well and store in refrigerator overnight. It needs to sit to let the flavors become “acquainted”. They shouldn’t rush into marriage.
  • Comeback Sauce goes with EVERYTHING.....except Cheerios.
Tried this recipe?Mention @syrupandbiscuits or tag #syrupandbiscuits!

 

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ABOUT JACKIE

I’m Jackie Garvin, the personality behind the blog. Syrup and Biscuits is a Southern food blog that champions the best the South has to offer: simple food with modern and vintage recipes, beloved traditions, a focus on family and bountiful gratitude for many blessings. We love company and we're mighty happy you joined us. Read more...

Comments

    • Jackie Garvin says

      Emma Ann,

      Once you make this sauce, you will always want to keep some in your fridge. I didn’t grow up knowing about Comeback Sauce, either. You would think something so popular in Mississippi would make it’s way to South Alabama. At any rate, I’m sure glad that I finally crossed paths with it. Thanks for reading, Emma Ann!

    • Sherry Richards says

      I just made this dressing and of course i had to taste it, OH my goodness!!!!! If letting it sit makes it better I wont be able to stand it!!!! I will just take a spoon and eat it. I made it with Dukes!!!!!
      My Frig will never be with out this Dressing!!! Thank you so much for sharing. I did leave out the Black Pepper because Hubby can eat it, but every thing else is as written.
      Sherry

  2. Holly Mason says

    Agree about Dukes Mayo. It is for Mayo people!!! I get it at the Amish Salvage store here for 75 cents for the big one, otherwise we’d be eatin’ plain ol generic.

    Reply

    • Holly Mason says

      Oh, you bet I do every time I see that they have Dukes. I have four in my cupboard right now. I don’t feel so bad making those mayo-heavy dishes when I’m paying that kind of price. Dukes is almost four bucks at my Kroger.

    • mississippigirl says

      OMG…..Dukes mayo for 75 cents……..I’d drive half a day for that. There’s nothing else like it. Hellman’s would be my next choice but still, there’s no comparison. And yes, we do love comeback sauce in Mississippi. It is good on anything!

    • Tamara says

      WOW! Are you kidding me, up north it’s almost $4 a 32oz. jar. And you’d be hard press to find it for that price in national grocery chains in Western Maryland….I’m having Duke’s envy right about now.

    • Rita LaChance says

      Oh my, I need to send you some money to buy some Mayo and ship it to me. It would be totally worth the price of shipping to do it for the price and we don’t have that brand here in OR.

    • Elena says

      Living here in VA I can get Dukes at all the grocery stores! Thank goodness, because it IS the best! My sister lives outside of Chicago so in her “care packages” she always get a couple jars of Dukes. I can’t wait to try the Comeback Sause. (And, so glad I found your site!)

    • Jackie Garvin says

      Elena,

      What a lucky duck your sister is to have someone send her Duke’s! Please let me know what you think of Comeback Sauce. I’m mixing up a new batch right now.

      Please visit again. Welcome home! 🙂

    • Debra Murrell says

      The link forSouthern Connoissure is good! I just received my jar of Dukes Mayo. It was shipped immediately to me. Will be reordering.

    • Steven Paris says

      There is an Amish store near Colona Iowa that sells scratch and dent items. Not sure if they carry Dukes mayo.

    • Morgana Haertjens says

      Blue plate is awesome as well.. VEEY southern. In the Big Easy, every true po boy has blue plate…

  6. Kay says

    Being a Mississippi girl….I grew up on Comeback Sauce! Try it with seafood….boiled or fried shrimp are devine with Comeback Sauce….great on salads…like you said, everything but Cheerios! Thanks for sharing….just like the one I use except I add about 1 T. of grated onion.

    Reply

    • Jackie Garvin says

      Bridget,
      I think the sauce at the steak house may have a tad bit of horseradish added. However, this sauce is good just like it is with fried onions. Take it out for a “taste” drive and let me know what you think. It goes with EVERYTHING…..except Cheerios. Thanks for stopping by! Please visit again!

    • Jackie Garvin says

      Hi Kari!

      Welcome to Syrup and Biscuits. I reformulated this sauce to have a loooooonnng shelve life. Some recipes call for fresh minced onion and garlic. I substituted onion powder and garlic powder. The primary ingredients are mayo, ketchup and chili sauce. So, this will keep as long as you would ordinarily keep those products in your fridge. However, this will not last long. I can promise you that. It goes with EVERYTHING……except Cheerios! <3

  10. Joel says

    I too found my way here via Pinterest and I think I have found a new favorite food blog.

    This sauce looks similar to Alabama white bbq sauce. I cannot wait to try it.

    Reply

    • Jackie Garvin says

      Sarah

      I’m not familiar with Cane’s Sauce but I googled it and found some recipes. This sauce is VERY similar. If you like Cane’s Sauce, you’re going to LOVE this sauce. <3

    • Jenny says

      Yeah Canes!! My husband loves that sauce so much that we have to stop to eat at Canes everytime we travel through Lubbock, TX.
      Now I understand what this recipe is! I’m so excited to make it for the hubster 🙂
      Thanks!

  14. Tori says

    This sounds like the white sauce recipe that the Japanese hibachi restaurants use for dipping chicken. I’m excited to try it out and taste!

    Reply

  15. Tim says

    Like what i see but as I’m from England one mistake is it’s not Worchesterhire sauce but Worcester Sauce.. Sorry guys but going to make it.. Cheers

    Reply

  16. Linda Moore says

    Duke’s mayo is made with apple cider vinegar. That is what gives it the extra “kick”. Gotta go make some of your comeback sauce now…..it sounds amazing.

    Reply

  17. Annette says

    We make a similiar version of this for dipping boiled crawfish, shrimp and fish in…we usually use Blue Plate mayo…never knew it had a name but my daughter loves it. She is grown and when she comes for a visit and we have seafood she always asked “mama u gonna make some of your dipping stuff” lol. I think she thinks I invented it lol.

    Reply

    • Jackie Garvin says

      Natalie,
      There is a condiment called chili sauce that is located on the isle with the ketchup. It’s usually on the 1st or 2nd shelf. I hope you can find some. 🙂

3.42 from 119 votes (119 ratings without comment)

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