Mississippi Comeback Sauce

Mississippi Comeback Sauce is an all-purpose condiment with a unique flavor profile that you’ll find in our Southern test kitchens right alongside remoulade, and Alabama white BBQ sauce.

Just about everyone in Mississippi has a recipe for this, we are sharing one that comes from years of Ron and his crew experimenting. This sauce is so versatile you can use it in tons of dishes, and it adds a slightly spicy kick. If you want to really turn up the heat, all you have to do is add more hot sauce. 

You’ve got mayo, chili sauce, veggie oil, ketchup, and mustard, plus some minced onion, garlic, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, and a hint of hot sauce for that extra depth of flavor. 

Oh, and don’t forget the seasoning mix of black pepper, salt, and a pinch of paprika that ties everything together. 

Trust us, once you try this versatile sauce as a salad dressing, sandwich spread, or dipping sauce, you won’t be able to resist it. Use this for dipping French fries, onion rings, chicken tenders, sweet potato fries, raw veggies, or on top of fish tacos or hot dogs. 

Ingredients

Mayonnaise – Use Hellman’s or Duke’s for best flavor. When it comes to mayo, if you don’t have 1 cup mayonnaise, Greek yogurt is a fantastic substitute that adds more tang. 

Chili sauce – Chili Sauce is a condiment that can be found near the ketchup or cocktail sauce in most grocery stores. This is not the sweet or Thai chili sauce. This is a ketchup-based sauce. Heinz Chili Sauce is the only brand I normally see.

If you’ve run out of chili sauce, tomato sauce with a spoonful of sugar can do the trick for the right amount of kick. 

Vegetable oil – We use vegetable oil because we always have it on hand. If you want to substitute it, you can; just pick any light, mild-flavored cooking oil that you prefer.

Ketchup 

Mustard – we used regular mustard, but feel free to add a spicy mustard or even your favorite Cajun mustard.

Onion 

Garlic

Lemon juice – fresh is always best.

Worcestershire sauce 

Hot sauce – My preferred brands are Louisiana Hot Sauce, Crystal Hot Sauce, and Tabasco. Dial back the hot sauce and black pepper if you prefer a milder sauce. In the South, we start little kids out on a version without onions, garlic, or hot sauce. It’s OK if you need to start here too, our level of heat can be a bit much if you aren’t used to it.

Black pepper 

Salt

Paprika – we tend to use smoked paprika, but you can use regular.

Substitutions and Additions

• If you’ve run out of chili sauce, tomato paste with a bit of sugar, a splash of vinegar, and a couple of pinches of chili powder will do the trick. If you’ve got a bit of horseradish in the fridge, you can also add a touch of that.
• If you’re out of mayo, Greek yogurt or sour cream will also work. It will change the flavor profile though and you may find you need a little extra salt. 

Directions

It’s actually super simple! Combine all the ingredients in a blender or food processor and blend until the sauce becomes smooth.

Recipe Tips

• Dial back the hot sauce and black pepper if you prefer a milder sauce. 
• If you want to increase the flavor, add some additional spices, such as onion powder, garlic powder, or Cajun seasoning.
• And finally, for those who like a smoky twist, a dash of liquid smoke will turn this sauce into a smoky delight. 
• Experiment with the amount of heat to suit your taste. If you’re not a big fan of spice, try using the hot sauce sparingly at first. After you’ve mixed everything, taste it and adjust from there.
• Grate your onion and garlic as finely as possible for a smoother blend in your sauce. The smaller you grate them, the more evenly they distribute their flavors.
• Consider using fresh lemon juice. It makes a difference in this delicious sauce’s overall tanginess and freshness.
• When blending, do it in short pulses rather than one long blend. This helps to incorporate everything more evenly.

Storage

You can store this for up to 2 weeks in the refrigerator in a sealed container.

Can I Freeze My Sauce?

You can, but we do not recommend it. Unfortunately, mayonnaise-based recipes do not freeze well so our advice is to make it to serve.

Can I Use a Different Type of Oil Instead of Vegetable Oil?  

Absolutely! You can use any neutral-tasting oil you have on hand. Canola, sunflower, or light olive oil works fine. Just remember, using a flavored oil like extra virgin olive oil could alter the taste of the sauce.

Is This Sauce Gluten-Free?  

Most of the ingredients in this sauce are naturally gluten-free. However, some Worcestershire sauce and hot sauce brands may contain gluten, so if you’re cooking for someone with a gluten intolerance or celiac disease, check the labels before you begin.

Can I Make This Sauce Vegan?  

You bet! Just swap out the traditional mayonnaise for a vegan version, and make sure your Worcestershire sauce is vegan-friendly, too. Many brands on the market don’t use anchovies, which is the ingredient in Worcestershire sauce that isn’t vegan.

Does the Sauce Need to Be Refrigerated Right After Making It?  

Yes, it’s best to refrigerate the sauce right after you’ve made it. This allows the flavors to meld together and intensify and is a great way to keep the sauce fresh. Make sure to use an airtight container to maintain freshness.

More Spicy Sauces and Dips You’ll Love

• Remoulade Sauce
• Sweet and Spicy BBQ Sauce
• Alabama White Sauce
• Garlic Butter Sauce

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