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.
RitaB says
I love Duke’s mayo. My mother-in-law, born and raised in the South, prefers Helmann’s. I think they’re pretty close though. What burns my butt is when you ask for mayo and someone hands you a jar of Miracle Whip! I guess it may have its uses, but I find it NASTY!!
Jackie Garvin says
Rita,
I grew up with Kraft mayo. Occasionally, my folks used Blue Plate. I didn’t discover Duke’s until later. Miracle Whip does have a completely different taste than mayo! 🙂
kristie says
hey, this looks and sounds blissful! one question though- is this truly the full recipe? if so, I am confused by the “specks”, they are obviously not just the pepper. Are there flecks of something else in the chili sauce? Cant wait to try, just wondering before I run out to get the stuff, thanks
Jackie Garvin says
Kristie,
The flecks are from the pepper. The chili sauce has the consistency of ketchup and doesn’t have any noticeable flecks. I’m not holding back an ingredient. I promise! 🙂
Susan Jones says
I had wondered the same thing about the “specks” too…….specks or no specks, I don’t think it could be any better…love, love, LOVE it!!! I made two jars a few days ago and gave one away. I am eating it on sandwiches, fish, salads, chicken, and anything else I can put it on…. it’s almost time to whip up another jar or two. It is my new must-have condiment!!!!!
Jackie Garvin says
Susan,
I’m so glad you found a recipe that you love! Comeback Sauce is good on everything……except Cheerios.
Welcome home, Susan! 🙂
Jolynn says
Love this stuff. Your recipe is very similar to our family one. We call it Kumback sauce. I refuse to ever eat boiled shrimp without it!
Jackie Garvin says
Jolynn,
I’m familiar with the spelling that your family uses. It’s a perfect sauce for boiled shrimp. Even better than cocktail sauce! 🙂
Tanya says
Got the stuff to make this. I’m going to make it tonight. I’m looking forward to trying it with some chicken tenders tomorrow night.
Jackie Garvin says
Tanya,
I hope you enjoy it as much as we do. Please let me know what you think. It will be fantastic with Chicken Tenders! It goes with everything…..except Cheerios. 🙂
Jessica says
This sounds good! What kinds of food is it best with? Would it be good as a dip like with potato chips?
Jackie Garvin says
Jessica,
You can use it as dip for chip or a dipping sauce for chicken tenders, seafood or vegetables, or as a salad dressing or sandwich spread. It goes with everything…..except Cheerios. 🙂
Pat Covington says
I too found you through Pintrest (the greatest thing I have got hooked on in a while) now I will also be hooked on Syrup and Biscuits, I have longed tryed to find out the sauce is that I have dipped things in a restruants, now I have the recipe, thanks to you. I am a Oklahoma gal and have never heard of Dukes, hope I can find it. Thanks for shareing your recipes.
Jackie Garvin says
Hello Pat,
Welcome home! I hope you visit us often. You’re always welcome.
If you can’t find Duke’s just use your favorite brand of mayonnaise. I hope you enjoy! 🙂
Rhonda Hicks says
More info on the origin…There was a famous restaurant in Dallas called Brockles (Greek family) and they had this dressing and it was sold in grocery stores back then. We kept it cold and spread it on saltines for a quick snack. You can probably do a search online under Brockles Dressing and see how close yours is to theirs. I knew the moment I saw the picture on Pinterest what it was!!
Jackie Garvin says
Rhonda,
Thanks for the info! I will look up Brockles and their famous dressing. 😉
Brian O. says
I LOL’d at “It’s good on EVERYTHING, except Cheerios,” and, “They shouldn’t rush into marriage.”
Thanks for posting this! I love this stuff! At Mugshots I dip my fries in it and get the burger that has it on it. YUMMMMMMMMM
Jackie Garvin says
Brian,
You are most welcome! I hope you enjoy it. Thanks for stopping by. Please visit us often. We love having you! 🙂
Kim Ngo says
I can’t wait to try this!!! How long does it keep for in the refrigerator?
Jackie Garvin says
Kim,
It will keep in your refrigerator for as long as you would keep mayo and ketchup. But, don’t worry. It will be long gone way before you have to think about it spoiling! 🙂
Michelle @ Kissed By Sweets says
I *just* made this and it is DELISH! The aftertaste is even better! I can’t wait until tomorrow when the juices marry and it’ll taste even better! Thank you!
Jackie Garvin says
Michelle,
If you love it the first day, you’re not going to believe what happens to the flavor once they marry. It’s a thing of beauty! 🙂
Michelle @ Kissed By Sweets says
Thank you!! I tried it a few hours later with my Chinese tofu and it was DELIGHTFUL!! I didn’t add the Tabasco for fear of too much spice, but I really do love this recipe. Thank you so much!
Jackie Garvin says
You’re most welcome, Michelle!
Denise says
Can someone please tell me how long this will keep in the fridge? I would love to make it but I want to know how long it keeps in the Fridge?
Jackie Garvin says
Denise,
It will keep in your refrigerator as long as you would keep mayo and ketchup.But, don’t worry. It will be long gone before you even have to think about it spoiling! 🙂
Lenora says
This is sooo Yum, love it!
Jackie Garvin says
Thanks, Lenora! 🙂
Jennifer says
I saw this on pinterest and put it with my collection of recipes to try. Think I’ll try it really soon, sounds like it might be yummy with sweet potatoe fries as well as all the other suggestions I’ve been reading. I’ve been having a craving for those anyways and now an even better reason to bake some up! Can’t wait :o) My husband and I always make up a dish of our own sauce using mayo and ketchup/bbq sauce for a base- he adds chipotle spice and I add a curry blend. Both are yummy, but definately giving this one a whirl! Judging by the title Syrup and Biscuits I want to look around a wee bit more!
Jackie Garvin says
Jennifer,
I’m so glad you found us tucked away in our little corner of the world. You make yourself at home and let me know if you need help finding anything.
Welcome home! 🙂
Kris says
Just found this recipe through pinterest. Can’t wait to check out more of your recipes!
Jackie Garvin says
Kris,
I’m so glad you found us tucked away in our little corner of the world. Please visit us often. We love having you! 🙂
Leanne Fleischer says
LOVE this sauce! I had never had it before down in Florida, but I have made a 2nd batch now. Thanks for sharing!!
Jackie Garvin says
Leanne,
Isn’t Comeback Sauce just the best? Thank you so much for letting me know how much you enjoy it! 🙂
Brenda says
I just mixed it up. Hope its worth the brand new bottle of Worcestershire Sauce that I just busted all over my kitchen floor. Word of advice: Don’t ever do this.
Jackie Garvin says
Oh no, Brenda! That must have been a mess to clean up. I hope it didn’t stain. 🙁
Ange says
Currently made & acquainting itself in my fridge! Found the link on Pinterest. I recall my Daddy making this when I was younger(he was from Alabama). I have been trying to remember what it was called for YEARS! As I now live in Scotland I know there are some ingredients I can’t specifically get(Heinz chili..but I shall have a look and see what I can find!) So glad to find a one stop for southern recipes!
Jackie Garvin says
Ange,
I hope you enjoy this sauce and it brings backs wonderful memories! Thank you so much for stopping by. Please visit often! 🙂
Dani says
I found a five star recipe on Food.com for Chili Sauce. Hope it helps. http://www.food.com/recipe/chili-sauce-192123
Lesley T says
Jackie, do you know if this might also be referred to as “swamp sauce”? Last weekend in Bay St Louis, MS I had the best “swamp sauce” served with my shrimp po boy. Regardless, I’ll be trying this recipe!
Jackie Garvin says
Lesley,
I’ve never heard it called Swamp Sauce. However, I wouldn’t doubt that it’s the same or very close. I hope you give this recipe a try. Please let me know what you think of it and if it’s the same as Swamp Sauce. 🙂
Ryane says
This is the recipe for Raising Cane’s secret recipe Cane’s Sauce! YES!
Jackie Garvin says
Enjoy, Ryane! 🙂
Linda Merillat Komondy says
Found you on Pinterest! This sauce sounds wonderful; I’m definitely going to try it!
Jackie Garvin says
Linda,
I’m so glad you found us tucked away in our little corner of the world.
Welcome home! 🙂