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.
Sarah L. says
Hi there! I’m an American ex-pat in the UK and this looks amazing- I’ve been wanting something to dip fried onions in! I don’t think I can get chili sauce here (never seen it) is there any way I can make it or substitute something? I also found this recipe on pinterest and this looks fantastic!!
Jackie Garvin says
HI Sarah L.!
I’m so glad you found us!
Chili sauce is basically trumped up ketchup. You certainly can omit it and use more ketchup. You might want to add a little additional onion powder and garlic powder and maybe an extra shake of Worcestershire Sauce . I hope you love this sauce as much as we do. It goes with EVERYTHING……except Cheerios! 🙂
Dani says
Hi, I found a five-star recipe for Chili Sauce at Food.com. You might try this:http://www.food.com/recipe/chili-sauce-192123
Dusty Dickerson says
Has anyone made this sauce with fat free mayo?
Jackie Garvin says
Dusty,
I’ve never used fat-free mayo. Give it a try. If you’re used to the flavor of fat-free mayo, it should work just fine.
Jalyn Dyer says
I am so excited to try this!!! It sounds sorta similar to the famous Cane’s top secret sauce! I bet this is great with boiled crawfish!!
Jackie Garvin says
I hope you enjoy it, Jalyn! We love it. 🙂
Lula Lola says
Wanted to share, I just got around to making this. We had it with grilled salmon tonight and it was perfect. It got five thumbs up!
Susie says
Many years ago in Texarkana, Ark. was a restaurant named Spero’s who was Greek. He made a sauce for salads that was heavenly and you could purchase it by the pint or quart. I have searched for years for anything that comes close to his secret recipe. Only he had the secret recipe….not even his cooks or help knew his secret for the making of the sauce. His recipe went with him when he became deceased. I’m hoping this is near to what he made. Gonna try this real soon. Thanks and I found this on pininterest
Jackie Garvin says
Susie,
Welcome to Syrup and Biscuits!
Since the origin of Comeback Sauce is Greek, I hope this is the secret sauce of your dreams! Please let me know what you think about it. 🙂
Kelly says
This sounds so good. I’m another pinterester that found her way to your blog. I am from North Carolina and no one in my family would dream of using any other mayo but Duke’s. My brother lives in SanDiego and my mother mails it to him by the case along with NC style bbq sauce. I am going to have to give this recipe a whirl next weekend. I bet it would be great on fried green tomatoes. My mouth is already watering. Thanks for the recipe!
Jackie Garvin says
Kelly,
Using this sauce with Fried Green Tomatoes is one of my favorites!! I hope you enjoy it. 🙂
Cathy Hooper says
I wonder if this is like the Chick Fil A Sauce….I could eat that by itself. At any rate, like many others I found you via Pinterest. This will go up on my “yummies” board–even before I make it.
Maria M says
Canes sauce is very similar…and yummy!
Patti says
I thought this was our Secret Family Recipe–from Southern Mississippi.
Does anyone else add grated onions? That’s the hardest part–grating those darned onions is torture.
Oops, did I give away the Secret Family Ingredient?
Jackie Garvin says
Patti,
Lots of recipes call for fresh onion and fresh garlic. I opted for garlic and onion powder , which are non-perishable, just to increase the shelf-life. However, the stuff never lasts long enough for me to worry about it going bad! 🙂
Maria M says
My grandfather who was from Jackson, MS, made this many “moons” ago, and my dad continued the tradition. I’ve been using it for years with seafood. Even though I live on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, I didn’t realize it was “comeback sauce” until my daughter moved to the Jackson area a few years ago…and distant relatives mentioned what it was. All these years and we’ve been eating and loving it and didn’t realize it!!
Jackie Garvin says
Maria,
Thanks for sharing your story with all of us! It’s a mystery to me how the wonder of this sauce has stayed hidden so well. We never knew about it in Mobile. You would think something that popular on the Mississippi Gulf Coast would make it’s way to the Alabama Gulf Coast! 🙂
Rhonda B. Smith says
Tried Duke’s mayo while camping in Georgia…it is very similar to our south Louisiana Blue Plate mayo. I have no less than 4 qts. of Blue Plate in my pantry at all times. Can’t wait to make the “comeback” sauce…sounds delish.
Jackie Garvin says
Rhonda,
I hope you love the Comeback Sauce as much as we do. You just need to use your favorite mayo! 🙂
Sandra Davis says
Ingredients are chillin right now gettin to know each other, we’re hooked!
Jackie Garvin says
Sandra,
It’s hard not to get hooked! 🙂
Sinead Kelly says
Hi Jackie, I too stumbled across your recipe via Pinterest and I’ll be making comeback sauce in the morning! I looks just delicious! I’m from Ireland, so we more than likely wouldn’t have chili sauce similar to you, but i’ll throw in some Thai sweet chili(boyfriend lives on the stuff so there’s always some in the fridge!) and see how it goes. It seems a very forgiving recipe so I’m sure it will work out fine!
What a great site you have too, I’ll be following you from now on!
Jackie Garvin says
Sinead,
I think the Thai sweet chili sauce would work perfectly fine!
Welcome to Syrup and Biscuits! Please visit us often. 🙂
Hayley Freshman says
Hi Jackie – can’t wait to try this recipe! I’m in South Africa – is the chilli sauce you use really really hot, or like the lady in Ireland should I just go with sweet chilli sauce. We do get loads of different chilli sauces here, but they are more like a tobasco – like real hotstuff!! Defnitely won’t find Dukes mayo here – what a pity!! It would be so much easier if we just lived in the States!!
Jackie Garvin says
Hayley,
The chili sauce I use isn’t very spicy. I think sweet chili sauce would be a fine substitute. Taste the sauce and add more spice if you think it’s needed. I hope it turns out for you! Enjoy! 🙂
Blaire says
My family’s closest family friend is the daughter of that Greek immigrant. This is too weird seeing this on the internet. The sauce is actually called Papou’s sauce (nicknamed “comeback sauce” by the locals), and was made famous at his little restaurant “The Mayflower” in Jackson, Mississippi. Please credit them for this.
Jackie Garvin says
Blaire,
Thank you so much for your input regarding the history of this magnificent sauce. When I was researching “Comeback Sauce”, I never saw a link that mentioned Papou’s sauce . Now that you’ve given me that specific information, I’m going to dig more! I’m looking forward to learning more. 🙂
cara says
we ate it with fried shrimp when I was growing up in Mississippi!
Jackie Garvin says
Cara,
It’s PERFECT for seafood of any kind. Have you had it with fried vegetables? Yum!!!!! 🙂
Cindy says
Jackie – Sounds so good. I saw you ask about where to buy Comeback Sauce. Google “Thames Comeback Sauce”. They are out of Oxford, Mississippi and make the best Comeback Sauce ever! You can also order it from The Mississippi Gift Company’s website. Lots of interesting items at The Mississippi Gift Company!
Jackie Garvin says
Thanks for stopping by Cindy! I really appreciate you reading and commenting. I bet the Mississippi Gift Company does have some mighty interesting gifts. I will certainly check them out. 🙂
Averie @ Love Veggies and Yoga says
I just pinned this. Wow. It sounds…perfect. It uses all my fave condiments and puts them into one recipe. Love it!
Jackie Garvin says
Averie,
This sauce is a wonderful as it sounds….and it’s versatile, too! It goes with EVERYTHING….except Cheerios! 🙂 I hope you give it a try. Please let me know what you think about it. 🙂
Thanks for taking the time to read and comment, Averie! 🙂
Fara says
OH YAY! I love this sauce! so very happy now!!
Jackie Garvin says
Fara,
Thanks for stopping by! I hope you enjoy the recipe for Comeback Sauce. 🙂
Mel @ Trailing After God says
I can’t wait to make this and try it!
Blessings,
Mel
Please feel free to stop by: Trailing After God
Jackie Garvin says
Mel,
I hope you enjoy it! I will hop over and visit your place right now. I hope you come back again. You’re always welcome.
alicia says
would you recommend this for a chip and dip tray?
Jackie Garvin says
Alicia,
I think the sauce makes a great dip and it’s perfect for a chip and dip tray. If you like the way the sauce tastes, you’ll love it chips. It’s actually used as a dip more than a sauce. 🙂