Comeback Sauce Recipe

This Comeback Sauce recipe with Ras El Hanout and Harissa is a great new version of the traditional Mississippi sauce which is a cross between Thousand Island and remoulade sauce. Perfect on sandwiches, burgers, fried foods or as a dip with veggies, this Comeback Sauce with Ras el Hanout and Harissa will have them coming back for more!

The Origin of Comeback Sauce

Comeback Sauce is a combination of Thousand Island and Remoulade Sauce, said to have been invented in Jackson, Mississippi at a Greek restaurant where it was served as salad dressing.

Kind of funny when I saw the ingredients because my mother used to make us a version of Thousand Island dressing that was basically a combo of ketchup and mayonnaise.

I had never heard of Mississippi comeback sauce until I spied an article in the WSJ not so long ago.

Where have I been? Well, I guess not Jackson, Mississippi.

In any case there are many versions that seem to combine similar ingredients but not being a traditional sort, I decided to make my own.

After tasting it I’m sure y’all will be singing, “Y’all come back now, ya hear?”, which is the traditional goodbye my MIL always shouted at us when we left to fly home.

Now you would think that my MIL knew about comeback sauce and perhaps she did, but she never shared!

Maybe we would have come back sooner!

What is Comeback Sauce Made With?

Comeback sauce is typically made with ketchup, mayonnaise and Heinz chili sauce-the Heinz 57 variety which is something mom always kept in the fridge.

Add in a touch of Creole mustard or a teaspoon dry mustard powder, a dash of Worcestershire sauce and some black pepper, along with some minced onion or onion powder, perhaps some garlic, and you are on your way to a great sandwich spread or your own house dressing.

Spice things up with a bit of hot sauce or lemon juice. Add in some paprika for flavor and extra color.

I loved the idea of this delicious sauce so much that I took it to the next level and came up with my own variety of comeback sauce.

What do you use comeback sauce for?

I mentioned salad dressing, but this Southern comeback sauce recipe also becomes a perfect dipping sauce for French fries, onion rings or chicken fingers, popcorn shrimp and other favorite finger foods.

Ras el Hanout

This also seems the perfect time to introduce you to the seasoning, Ras el Hanout.

I’ve been using it for some time but just spotted it in my local Kroger, so I thought it time to post a recipe with it.

SO, say hello to MY version of the comeback sauce recipe.

After all everything evolves and this is one way this comeback sauce did.

Ras el Hanout is from Morocco, not Jackson Mississippi.

It translates to top shelf and typically refers to the best spices the shop has to offer.

It seems to contain every spice that begins with the letter”c”. Think cumin and coriander and cinnamon and cloves and cardamom.

Add in some cayenne and nutmeg and paprika and about 4 more spices, because traditionalists seem to think that ras el hanout should have at least 12 different spices.

There are so many variations on this and as I’ve tried many, I can tell you that each taste similar but different.

Just like Comeback Sauce!

 What is comeback sauce made of?

My Comeback sauce is made with 3 tablespoons ketchup, not chili sauce.

But then that’s not quite true because I did add a dash of harissa which is a Moroccan chile sauce.

Sweet chili sauce would change the savory flavor but could also be fun to try.

I did use mayo and mustard and sweet and dill pickles, plus a little pickle juice.

I threw in a bit of fresh jalapeno, but any hot fresh pepper should work.

And last but not least a bit of Ras el Hanout which is what made this sauce sing!

I think that’s what I love about spices. With so little you can do so much!

However….isn’t there always a however?

If you can’t find Ras el Hanout, you can still make this sauce.

It will still be good, but it’s always fun to try something new!

This kissing cousin of remoulade, is one special sauce.

Store the extra in an airtight container.

Don’t forget this makes a great burger spread instead of plain old ketchup and mustard.

I won’t tell you this savory sauce is my favorite classic Southern sauce. I’ll reserve that for my remoulade.

However, this is the perfect condiment for lots of Southern foods.

Check out my Comeback Sauce recipe.

I used it over a loose meat ground chicken sandwich and made cute little sliders for dinner.

They disappeared fast. But I’ve also used this sauce instead of mustard on sandwiches, and love to drizzle it on fried shrimp.

I can’t wait to hear what you’ve used it on. Tell me, tell me please!

And until next time…Y’all come back now, ya hear?

Sauce seems to enhance most any food. Here are two new ones I should try:

This mango chipotle sauce sounds incredible! Thanks Oh Sweet Basil! I’m forever looking for a chili sauce that tastes like the sauce on the sauce buns at the A & W in Kankakee. I don’t know if this Hot Dog Chili Sauce is it, but I’m willing to give it a try! If it is, I will be bowing to Today’s Creative Life!

And here are some of my favorites:

Berbere Spice Rub and Marinade

Peruvian Green Sauce

Teriyaki Sauce

Print