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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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
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.
Gayle says
I had never heard of a sauce by this name before I saw it on Pinterest. I made it yesterday and we tried it on a tomato sandwich at noon today, and on our fish cakes for supper tonight. Wow…. is it ever gooooooood!! Thank you for such a good recipe.
Jackie Garvin says
Gayle,
I’m delighted you’ve become a fan of Comeback Sauce! Enjoy! 🙂
Millay says
I’d switch ketchup from Heinz to organic – (no High Fructose Corn Syrup that way). Same goes for Worcestershire sauce and check back labels on dijon and chili sauce… I always turn around the product and read the labels now. Thanks for the recipe, and the southern cultural/cuisine knowledge! ~Cheers
Christina says
This sauce sounds awesome.. I’m thinking of trying it in a beef pasta dish for dinner… Anyone tried it like that?
Jackie Garvin says
Christina,
I haven’t tried it with beef pasta in particular, but it goes well with beef. 😉
Paige says
I have smotherd it on fresh toasted whole wheat buns with hot juicy pulled pork and lettuce. Devine!
Jackie Garvin says
YUM!!!!! 🙂
Misty says
I found this on Pinterest and it will stay in my fridge from now on! (only change I made was use low fat mayo as we are on diets in this house – but it is still great!!) I saw that there is nothing similar on allrecipes.com. You should post it on there ASAP!
Closest they have is a Russian Salad dressing with 41 reviews so I know that you would knock them out the park 😉
Jackie Garvin says
Misty,
Thanks for the allrecipes.com suggestion. I will certainly check into it. Enjoy the Comeback Sauce! 🙂
ellinme1 says
I am from Jackson Mississippi and I grew up eating comeback on everything! Mayflower, The Elite, Bills Greek Tavern, and probably just about every good Restaurant in and around Jackson have their own version. My favorite childhood memory is waiting for my food at the elite and eating their unbelievable rolls with comeback that was in a squirt bottle on the table. I made this recipe today and am very pleased with the results. Now I can have it at my whim to put on my bread, salads, crackers, seafood, burgers….well just about everything 🙂 Thanks so much for this great recipe!
Jackie Garvin says
Elinme1,
I’m so happy to hear that this great sauce was part of some very pleasant memories for you! Thanks so much for stopping by.
Welcome home! 🙂
Kristin@Chi-Chi Studio says
As a Mississippi girl, I am so EXCITED to have found this recipe!!! I’m making it tonight to go with homemade onion strings. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Jackie Garvin says
Kristin,
You’re welcome, you’re welcome, you’re welcome! I bet you’ll always have a jar of Comeback Sauce in your refrigerator. I sure do! Thanks for stopping by! 🙂
Chuck says
Could you use Miracle Whip? I have that in the fridge which we hardly use as it is…and Mayo we would use even less.
Jackie Garvin says
Chuck,
If Miracle Whip is a flavor that you’re accustomed to, then by all means, use it. It’s all about your individual taste preference. 🙂
Joy says
I searched EVERY food store in my area and NO Duke’s. Was in my local Dollar tree yesterday and was browsing food section and guess what was on shelf???? Yes—DUKE’s. Grabbed several jars and rushed home to make sauce. Can’t wait till it is ready. Thanks. I was raised in Mississippi.
Jackie Garvin says
Joy,
What a great find in a most unlikely place! You can always order online from http://www.dukes.com. Enjoy the Comeback Sauce! 🙂
Don Bennett says
OMG! I didn’t know what it was called. I have been looking for this recipe for a long time. Chili’s and Applebee’s stopped serving it. For the last couple years I have tried unsuccessfully to recreate it.
THANK YOU!
Jackie Garvin says
Don,
I hope it’s what you’be looking for! 🙂
Becky says
I cannot wait to try this! I have never heard of Comeback sauce seeing as I am from California. I moved to Louisiana a couple years ago and am adding this to all my newly learned Southern yummies!! I will comeback (…;)..) and let y’all know how it was for me 🙂 THANK YOU 🙂
Jackie Garvin says
Becky,
Welcome home! I can’t to hear what you think of Comeback Sauce. Also, please let me know what other Southern dishes you’ve made since you been in the South. 🙂
Paulette Smith says
Does anyone know of a”family” recipe for doctored mayonnaise? Was given a jar as a gift but
was denied recipe because “auntie made me promise to never let it get outside the family!”
Would guess it has a drop of mustard but otherwise no discernible other additives.
Thanks!
Jackie Garvin says
Paulette,
I haven’t heard of that but perhaps another reader has. 🙂
Rosalund says
Soulds good want to try it but was wondereing if anyone knows the calories. I try and eat healthier but want to try new things.
Jackie Garvin says
Rosalund,
I don’t use a calorie counter program so I can’t tell you how many calories are in the whole recipe or how many per serving. Mayonnaise is the main ingredient and it’s a high calorie item. Using Comeback Sauce sparingly would bring down the calorie count per serving.
Connie Rompelman says
Comeback sauce is the best. My granddaughter and I made up a batch this morning. I can’t wait to use it on pulled pork on Saturday. I think I’ll try it on my turkey sandwich for lunch today.
Thanks do much for the recipe.
Connie
Jackie Garvin says
Connie,
Comeback Sauce is wonderful as a sandwich spread. I hope you had the most delicious turkey sandwich of your life for your lunch today! 🙂
lamom318 says
I pinned this recipe last year, and just got around to making it this morning. Never tried Duke’s until now, and let me just say, OMG, it’s the best mayo I have ever put in my mouth! We’re from north Louisiana, and we have a Raising Cane’s down the street, and the sauce tasts EXACTLY like theirs if you add a few more drops of Worcestershire sauce. So glad I found this! We’ll be using it a lot! Thanks for posting! 🙂
Jackie Garvin says
LAMom,
I’m so glad you enjoyed the recipe! You’ll be sure to keep a jar in your fridge now that you’ve tried it! 🙂
Duke’s is the best mayo, in my honest opinion.
sherry says
Believe it or not, I found the 8 oz. jar of Dukes mayo at a “Dollar Tree” dollar store in Michigan. When my eyes feel upon the jar, I was totally amazed as I’d long given up ever finding it here.
Finally made the sauce and it was great. Try on fish or chicken nuggets. YUMMO!
Jackie Garvin says
Sherry,
What a great find! Thanks so much for letting us know.
I so happy to hear that you enjoyed the sauce! 🙂
sherry says
In Michigan, try Dollar Tree for Dukes.
Linda B says
Can I use any mayo?
Jackie Garvin says
Linda B,
You certainly can use any mayo! I reference Duke’s because that’s my favorite. You should use the mayo that you like the most.
Please let me know what you think of Comeback Sauce after you make it. 🙂
betty babb says
If’n it ain’t Duke’s, it ain’t Mayonnaise – Plus it’s sugar free –
Jackie Garvin says
Betty,
Duke’s is certainly my favorite mayo in the whole world. It’s the only mayo you’ll find in my kitchen.
Michele says
Hey there sweet friend! Just want to let you know that I have a Comeback Sauce story for you if you’re interested… has to do with my first taste of Comeback Sauce (when I was very, very, very young) and a little history. 🙂 xoxoxo
Jackie Garvin says
Michele,
Do tell!! I’m all ears….er….eyes. 🙂