The special sauce that you hear about from local chefs all the way to McDonald’s are all loosely based on Russian dressing or the South’s comeback sauce. We give you the special comeback sauce recipe here that tastes great on burgers, sandwiches, fries and just about anything that mayonnaise or ketchup taste good on.
Russian dressing used to be a staple in my childhood refrigerator and was used like a dressing, actually on a salad. Personally I don’t care for it as a salad dressing, but I do love it as a special sauce recipe to top burgers and sandwiches. Somehow putting ketchup on your greens just doesn’t sound appetizing to me.
Now that I live in the south the sauce seems more like a Comeback Sauce recipe.
Why Is Comeback Sauce Known As Comeback Sauce?
Because it keeps you coming back……….really! They say that Greek immigrants in Jackson, Mississippi created comeback sauce in the 1930s. When it comes to classic recipes it’s often hard to determine the origin. But I like that story so I’m sticking to it.
One of the things I love about making your own version of a comeback sauce recipe is that you can alter the ingredients. Adjust the heat that the comeback sauce recipe brings by reducing the horseradish or hot sauce.
You can also make the quantity that you need and have another condiment bottle lingering on your refrigerator shelf. Think about it, if you buy a whole bottle of comeback sauce for cornflake chicken tenders or burgers, then you are stuck with a half filled bottle lingering in your refrigerator until the expiration date is a thing of the past.
This Comeback Sauce Recipe includes ingredients you probably always have in your refrigerator or pantry. Mayonnaise, ketchup, hot sauce, Worcestershire, and some spices. If you have 5 minutes you can add this condiment to your repertoire and have your family and friends wondering what that special touch to their BLT is.
Does This Homemade Condiment Taste Better Than Store Bought?
Absolutely, it’s fresher and you can alter the ingredients to your taste. I’ve kept the Comeback Sauce Recipe fairly basic here, but you can add extra hot sauce, sriracha or adobo sauce for added heat.
McDonald’s issued some limited edition bottles of their “special sauce” that listed the ingredients. I also found this video of McDonald’s executive chef (https://www.today.com/food/mcdonald-s-giving-away-big-mac-sauce-t107355) making their special sauce and was surprised that they don’t use any ketchup or French dressing as many would believe. He started with a base of mayonnaise and then added yellow mustard, pickle relish, white wine vinegar, onion powder, garlic powder and paprika (paprika mainly for the color). Look for a future post of how to make a homemade Big Mac.
This Special Sauce Recipe is best used on:
Burgers, see World’s Best Hamburgers with Fried Green Tomatoes and Special Sauce
Sandwiches, see Best BLT Sandwich Recipe
As a condiment for fries
As a dip for chips or vegetables
Anything that tastes better with ketchup or mayonnaise!
Comeback Sauce Recipe
Every wonder what that special sauce is that so many restaurants list? Most likely it's a classic Southern comeback sauce recipe that's easily made with ingredients you already have on hand.
Ingredients
- 1/2 Cup Mayonnaise
- 2 Tablespoons Ketchup
- 2 teaspoons horseradish
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce or sriracha or adobo sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire Sauce
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
Instructions
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Mix all ingredients together. Use right away or let sit overnight in the refrigerator to let flavors meld together.
Recipe Notes
-Ever wonder what the difference is between prepared horseradish and creamy horseradish sauce? The cream sauce is usually shelf stable and is a condiment ready to go, with that said though, it lacks the bite of making your own sauce with prepared horseradish. Prepared horseradish is found in the refrigerated section and is typically added for it's zing and a little heat.
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