Comeback Sauce (3 Ingredients Only)
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You only need 3 ingredients to make this classic Southern Comeback Sauce recipe. It’s quick, easy, and most importantly, tastes sensational when you dip it in some fried chicken.
I posted this recipe for Comeback Sauce back in 2009 but decided to post it again with updated (better) photos since I whipped up a batch this past weekend to go with our ranch fried chicken tenders.
Comeback Sauce has grown in popularity immensely in the last few years. Nowadays just about every restaurant that serves fried foods has a version of it. Sometimes they tweak the recipe a little here and there to add a little difference to the flavor but they are all still pretty much interchangeable… and wonderful for dipping fries, chicken tenders, or whatever else happens to be on your plate. It’s similar to Thousand Island Dressing, but that’s usually sweeter as it includes pickle relish instead of black pepper.
Where did Comeback Sauce originate?
Comeback Sauce was originally invented by a Greek restaurant named The Rotisserie in Jackson, Mississippi. It was their house dressing and named so after the traditional goodbye in Mississippi.
Fortunately, my Comeback Sauce recipe is really basic and very simple to make, using only three ingredients. What are those three ingredients I hear you ask? Simply ketchup, mayonnaise, and ground black pepper, which I bet you already have sitting pretty in your kitchen right now.
The best part is, you can make as little as you want or as much as you want, from two tablespoons to two gallons. So there is no reason not to stir together some just for yourself if you have the inclination. Better still, it is made almost instantly, requiring only enough time for you to stir it.
I’ve included lots of serving suggestions and substitutions if you want to spice up your Comeback Sauce below. Or if you want to try a different one of my sauce recipes check out these: Alabama White Barbecue Sauce, An Easy Recipe For BBQ Sauce, Pimiento Cheese Dip, Easy Buffalo Chicken Dip, or Chipotle Ranch Dressing.
Recipe Ingredients
- Mayonnaise
- Ketchup
- Black Pepper
Helpful Kitchen Tools
How to Make Comeback Sauce
To begin with, place equal parts of ketchup and mayonnaise in a small bowl. For these photos, I am using 1/2 cup of each. You can use as little as a teaspoon if you like or as much as a gallon. It’s all the same.
Stir those together really well until it’s blended. This will just take a minute.
Now sprinkle enough black pepper on top to cover it. Stir that in.
Cover the top with black pepper once more and stir again until it’s all stirred in.
Congratulations, you have just made Comeback Sauce!
Dig in!
Storage
If you do make a big batch and want to store the leftovers, place them in an airtight container in the fridge and use them within 6 days. If you’re entertaining, feel free to mix it up in the morning and then store it covered in the fridge until you’re ready to serve.
Recipe Notes
- Despite the amount of black pepper in this, it is not a spicy sauce.
- Some other recipes for Comeback Sauce also include 2 tablespoons of hot sauce alongside 1/2 cup of mayonnaise and ketchup for added heat.
- For extra flavor, you can also add 1 teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce and 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder.
Recipe FAQs
What do you serve with Comeback Sauce?
I personally love serving Comeback Sauce alongside chicken tenders for dipping. However, it’s the perfect condiment to serve with your favorite finger foods and appetizers, like fried pickles, chicken nuggets, onion rings, French fries, wings, or popcorn shrimp. Or why not serve it with classic Southern main dishes like fried catfish and fried chicken.
Another option is to use it as a sandwich or burger spread or salad dressing. You can also use it as a flavorful substitute for mayonnaise in coleslaw or deviled eggs. The options really are endless, folks!
Here are some other sensational sauces and dips:
Ingredients
- mayonnaise
- ketchup
- ground black pepper
Instructions
- Place equal parts ketchup and mayonnaise in a small bowl. Stir together until well blended.mayonnaise, ketchup
- Sprinkle enough black pepper on top to cover it. Stir that in.ground black pepper
- Sprinkle black pepper to cover once more and stir until well blended.
- Enjoy with fries, chicken tenders, etc.
Notes
*The best part of this sauce is that you can make as little as you want or as much as you want, from two tablespoons to two gallons. So there is no reason not to stir together some just for yourself if you have the inclination. Better still, it is made almost instantly, requiring only enough time for you to stir it.
Nutrition
This one made me chuckle:
I’m sorry, if you were right, I’d agree with you.
~Robin Williams
This recipe is also part of the Weekend Potluck at Country Cook!
Hi Christy!
Believe it or not this recipe was my parent’s Russian Dressing recipe when they owned their restaurant for 23 years! It’s a great recipe and I’ve used it not only on my salad but like you, on chicken tenders, shrimp appetizers, and even on French fries and fried sweet potatoes. So glad you brought it back! It is definitely a Come Back Sauce! Bon Appetite!
You know, I haven’t thought about using it on a salad but I bet it would be awesome! thank you so much! I bet you had some good eating growing up!
I’ve also used this recipe as a French dressing or if you add pickles you have 1000 island. It’s the house dressing at one of my favorite local restaurants.
I put me a little dab of worchestershire sauce in mine, and just a whole MESS of black pepper. and sometimes just a touch of garlic powder. depends on the mood and what I have on the shelf! It’s been a while since I’ve made what we call french fry sauce, since I have been eating really healthy. I lost my home to the tornado that hit Garland/Rowlett TX the day after Christmas, and am living with my youngest girl and her family. We eat very healthy AND i get to love on my little grandbabies every day. God is so good!
God is good and what a testimony you have!
I’m gonna have to try it with Worcestershire sauce, as I love the extra flavor burst that gives things!
I always add Worcestershire sauce to mine. My family would rather have homemade than store bought.
You mean store bought Come Back Sauce? I didn’t even know they sold it commercially! Do you know any brands?
Heinz makes it. Just need to add seasoning
My mom learned this from her brother, who made it up when he was a younger kid. He called it Robin’s Egg Dressing. Not sure why but it calls for the mayo, mustard, ketchup, “W” sauce and garlic salt (or powder). It is great for dipping ANYTHING lol
I make this all the time; (only dip I make now)sometimes with just a bit of lemon juice and at times a bit of apple cider vinegar.
Besides using a dip for chicken nuggets or strips, it’s also good for French fries as well as onion rings for dipping
Can you use equal amounts of ketchup and miracle whip? I AM A MIRACLE WHIP GIRL!!!!!!! 🙂
Yes you can use Miracle Whip. I am also a MW girl. Wont use any other kind of mayo. It just gives it a tarter flavor, which I am sure you like if you like MW
Agree with Sue! 🙂
Christy, I’ll never remember all of that! 8-D
I bet this would take a dash of hot sauce really nicely too.
yes! And some ground cayenne is great, too!
Can you use equal amounts of ketchup and miracle whip? I AM A MIRACLE WHIP GIRL!!!!!!! 🙂
Willette, I’ve been obsessed with Miracle Whip since early childhood, so I guess this was the next logical step! I’ve been making a version of this sauce for 25yrs with MiracleWhip. However, I use closer to a 60/40 ratio…more MW than ketchup and minus the pepper. I use it on fried fish and even steak…It’s awesome!
I have been making something like this for years to eat with my fish. Until now I didn’t know it had a name. Then a few years ago I was introduced to a Japanese sauce called Yum Yum sauce. It was very good and similar to this, but I like making it myself better. Things just taste fresher to me when they are homemade. 🙂
Omg yes!I am currently on a quest to make the perfect Yum Yum sauce!
My Mom always made Pink Potato Salad. I think she used a version of your dip recipe with some dill pickle juice in her potato salad.
I’m trying this with our chicken tenders tomorrow night. When I moved to Utah many years ago, I was introduced to the local favorite, Fry Sauce, which is a lot like your Come Back Sauce. It has many variations but the basis is ketchup and mayo and usually a little sweetener like lemon-lime soda or sugar or pickle juice. I like the sweetness of our Fry Sauce. I think the pepper in your Come Back Sauce will be a fun change.
Fry Sauce! Yes indeed, my favorite version is with the dill pickle juice, closely followed by the barbecue sauce and hot sauce versions. High five!
I use the same amounts and ingredients in my comeback sauce, which I’ve been making for almost 50 years, except I add 1 to 1- 1/2 tablespoons of dill pickle juice and a few drops of Tabasco sauce. My husband won’t eat chicken fingers without my sauce!