Mississippi Comeback Sauce

Name: Mississippi Comeback Sauce
Prep time: 10 min
Cuisine: American (Mississippi/Southern)
Ingredients: Mayonnaise — 150 g (2/3 cup); Tomato ketchup — 60 g (1/4 cup); Chili sauce (such as a Southern-style chili sauce) — 30 g (2 tbsp); Worcestershire sauce — 10 ml (2 tsp); Garlic clove, minced — 1; Paprika — 3 g (1 tsp); Hot sauce — 5 ml (1 tsp); Fresh lemon juice — 10 ml (2 tsp); Black pepper — 2 g (1/2 tsp)

The Quirky Foodster Team

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10 min

Prep

0 min

Cook

Ingredients

Mayonnaise — 150 g (2/3 cup)
Tomato ketchup — 60 g (1/4 cup)
Chili sauce (such as a Southern-style chili sauce) — 30 g (2 tbsp)
Worcestershire sauce — 10 ml (2 tsp)
Garlic clove, minced — 1
Paprika — 3 g (1 tsp)
Hot sauce — 5 ml (1 tsp)
Fresh lemon juice — 10 ml (2 tsp)
Black pepper — 2 g (1/2 tsp)

Method

Combine mayonnaise, ketchup and chili sauce in a mixing bowl.
Whisk until smooth and well combined.
Stir in Worcestershire sauce, garlic, paprika and hot sauce.
Add lemon juice and black pepper.
Chill at least 1 hour before serving; flavour improves with longer resting.

Cultural Background: A tangy, spiced mayonnaise-ketchup sauce created by Greek immigrant restaurateurs in Jackson, Mississippi in the 1930s, comeback sauce earned its name for the way diners kept returning for more, now a beloved Southern all-purpose dipping sauce.

Tips: • This sauce benefits from a longer chill time than many similar sauces, ideally several hours, to fully meld its many components. • Adjust hot sauce and paprika to taste, as recipes vary significantly by household and restaurant.

Variations: • Add finely grated onion for extra sharpness. • Adjust ketchup-to-mayonnaise ratio for a more tomato-forward or creamier final result.

Storage: Refrigerate in an airtight container up to 1 week.

Reheating: Not applicable; served cold. Nutrition (per serving) Approx. 85 kcal, 0.3 g protein, 8.5 g fat, 2 g carbohydrate per 15 ml serving.

FAQs: What is comeback sauce traditionally served with? A versatile dipping sauce for fried foods, salads, burgers and sandwiches throughout Mississippi and the broader American South. Where did comeback sauce originate? Jackson, Mississippi, created by Greek immigrant restaurateurs in the 1930s, and it remains especially associated with the region.