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.
meg says
what is chilli sauce?
Jackie Garvin says
Meg,
Chili Sauce is a condiment that is found on the isle with the ketchup. It’s usually on the first or second shelf. It’s essentially an embellished ketchup. 🙂
stephanie says
This Sauce is also very famous among the french canadian! yummy! now we have a name for it! thanks!
Jackie Garvin says
Stephanie,
Isn’t Comeback Sauce just the best sauce in the world?? We love it. Hello to all the French Canadians who enjoy it, too! *waves wildely*
Candi {Keene in the Kitchen} says
I am SO glad that Tami from Party Food to Go had this pinned on Pinterest! YUM! I grew up in Mississippi but have never heard of this! Funny, huh? Maybe it didn’t make its way down south of I-10 on the coast? 😉 I am going to make it, and soon!
Jackie Garvin says
Candi,
I never heard of Comeback Sauce in Alabama, either. Not even in Mobile. You would think something so popular in Mississippi would have made it’s way to Alabama. I hope you love it as much as we do.
Hallelujah for Pinterest! We’ve made so many new friends who are now regular followers of Syrup and Biscuits. It’s really been a humbling experience. So glad you found us! We love having you around. Please visit often and share Syrup and Biscuits with your friends and family. We love company! 🙂
Sue London says
I’m glad to know I’m not the only one! Guess it didn’t make it down towards the Gulf very much…
shutterbug36092 says
Dukes and Hellmans are the same or so similar you wouldn’t tell the difference. Both are salty instead of sweet.
Jackie Garvin says
Shutterbug,
Thanks for letting us know. Lots of folks can’t get Duke’s. Maybe Hellman’s will be available. 🙂
Sherry says
Comeback Sauce sounds something like what we here in Guntersville, Alabama call “Chicken Sauce”. It was made famous by a local chicken finger joint! Only difference is that we add poppy seeds!
Jackie Garvin says
Sherry,
The addition of poppy seeds sounds interesting! Thanks for stopping by. Please visit us again! 🙂
Gloria says
Greetings! Saw this on Pinterest and had to come investigate and get the recipe! Sounds delicious. Thanks for sharing!
Best,
Gloria
Jackie Garvin says
Welcome to Syrup and Biscuits, Gloria! I hope you visit us again. 🙂
Gloria says
p.s. if you are on Pinterest, please let me know and I will follow you!
http://pinterest.com/gavincent/
Jackie Garvin says
Gloria,
I am on Pinterest! I just started following you.
http://pinterest.com/jackie_garvin/
Sheila Lence says
Found you through Pinterest, and the pin is what caught my eye. In New Albany, Mississippi, there was a restaurant that offered “Comeback Shrimp Po’boy” sandwiches that were to die for! Unfortunately the restaurant is no longer open. So when I saw the pin about a recipe for comeback sauce, I was intrigued and excited! I can’t wait to make this and try it!
One question though: have you really tried it on Cheerios? 😉
BTW: I am on Pinterest too: http://pinterest.com/modenian/
Jackie Garvin says
Sheila,
The more I eat Comeback Sauce, the more I’m thinking I might have to modify the Cheerios claim. It might even be good on Cheerios!
I’m following you on Pinterest now.
Thanks for stopping by and I hope you visit often! 🙂
Lula Lola says
I found your site through Pinterest. Can’t wait to poke around some more! And I can’t wait to try this! How has this not made it to SC? Oh, and I’m Team Dukes all the way!
Jackie Garvin says
Hi Lula Lola! So glad you made your way to Syrup and Biscuits.
I lived in Alabama all my life until we relocated to Florida. Alabama is right next door to Mississippi and we didn’t know about Comeback Sauce. I never understood that either.
Please visit us often. We love having you. 🙂
Rachel says
Is it just has good without the chili sauce? I am allergic to peppers which is a bummer
Jackie Garvin says
Rachel,
I think it would still be tasty without the chili sauce. I would recommend adding a tad bit more onion and garlic powder. 🙂
Karen says
I have spent quite a bit of money buying “Comeback Sauce” to keep in the fridge all the time. My kids think we can’t live without it! Can’t wait to try this recipe!! Thanks so much!
Jackie Garvin says
Karen,
I’ve never seen it for sale. Where do you buy it? Please let me know how this compares to yours. 🙂
nancychesnutt says
Came here from Pinterest. Love the ‘special sauce’ that some central Ala. restaurants use for things like chicken fingers, fried onions, salads, etc. I use it to dip my fries in, too.This is definitely going in a jar in my fridge!! (and I’m glad someone finally asked about the Cheerios!). Thanks so much!
Jackie Garvin says
Hi Nancy! Welcome to Syrup and Biscuits. I’m so glad you found us and I hope you enjoy the sauce as much as we do. I really need to do the Cheerios experiment! LOL! 🙂
Tara says
I have been looking for this recipe for years. THANK YOU! (I didn’t know what it was called, just SUPER YUMMY AMAZING DIP!) I used to drive 3 hours to get it! (Ok, really I was “visiting” friends…)
Jackie Garvin says
Tara,
Welcome to Syrup and Biscuits! So glad you found us and the recipe for Comeback Sauce. Don’t be a stranger! <3
Angie says
Just made it tonight! Delicious! I wanted a little bit of that horseradish flavor so I did half ketchup half cocktail sauce. Next time I might just try it with only cocktail sauce instead of ketchup! Thanks for the recipe!
Jackie Garvin says
Angie,
YEA!! I’m so happy it turned out for you. I mixed a tiny bit of horseradish in a single serving for me the other day and I loved it! Using cocktail sauce is very clever! 🙂
Summer says
where can I find Dukes mayo I live in California? I have never heard of it 🙁
Jackie Garvin says
Summer,
I don’t think Duke’s distributes to CA. Just use your favorite mayo.
Here’s their website: http://www.dukesmayo.com
michelle says
Sounds a bit like the “Guthries” sauce I make for chicken fingers and fries. Will have to try your version.
Jackie Garvin says
Michelle,
I hope you love this sauce as much as we do. It’s a staple in my refrigerator. 😉
Robin says
I can’t wait to get to the grocery for a couple of the ingredients!!! My daughter has Comeback Sauce posted on her Pinterest blog thingy and told me about it!!! I’m excited to try it!
Jackie Garvin says
Robin,
I hope you enjoy the sauce as much as we do. It’s a staple in my refrigerator. 🙂
Victoria B. says
Hi Jackie,
Found this recipe on Pinterest and wanted to check out the blog. I grew up with an Alabama momma so I’m familiar with Alabama White BBQ sauce but never heard of “Comeback Sauce” until now. Thanks!
BTW – The British pronounce Worcester Sauce as wuss- (like a wimp)-ter sauce.
Jackie Garvin says
Hi Victoria!
Welcome home! I’m so glad you found us over here in our little corner of the world. I hope you enjoy Comeback sauce as much as we do.
That little condiment that you mentioned just can’t decide how it wants to be spelled or pronounced!
Thanks for stopping by, Victoria! 🙂
Shayne says
This is almost the exact same recipe as my homemade Thousand Island Dressing. Add a bit of relish and a grated boild egg and it would pretty much be a match. This stuff is fantastic…although I’ve never heard of comeback sauce….but I guess I’ve been eating here in Florida the whole time. Thanks for sharing the recipe!!
Jackie Garvin says
Shayne,
Comeback Sauce can easily be made into Thousand Island dressing by doing what you described. It’s such versatile sauce. We just love it! 🙂
Sammie says
I Can’t wait to make this sauce…. from Midland, TX…
Jackie Garvin says
Sammie,
It is the most versatile sauce I’ve ever made. We just love it and I hope you do, too! Please let me know what you think about it! 🙂