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Smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper added to the sauce
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Cookout Sauce Recipe

This easy homemade Cookout Sauce recipe is creamy, tangy, and full of classic Southern flavor. Made with simple pantry ingredients, it comes together in minutes and is perfect for burgers, fries, grilled meats, and dipping.
Prep Time10 minutes
Total Time10 minutes
Course: Condiment, Dip, Sauce
Cuisine: American, Southern American
Keyword: cookout dipping sauce, cookout sauce recipe, creamy cookout sauce, homemade cookout sauce, southern sauce recipe
Yield: 8 servings
Cost: $5

Materials

  • 1 cup mayonnaise
  • ½ cup ketchup
  • 2 tbsp yellow mustard
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp hot sauce (optional)

Instructions

  • Prepare a mixing bowl:- Place a medium bowl on a clean surface to combine all ingredients easily.
    Clean mixing bowl placed on a kitchen counter, ready for making homemade cookout sauce
  • Add the creamy base:- Add mayonnaise, ketchup, and yellow mustard to the bowl.
    Mayonnaise, ketchup, and yellow mustard added to a glass mixing bowl
  • Mix until smooth:- Stir the base ingredients until fully combined and creamy.
    Creamy sauce base being mixed until smooth in a glass bowl
  • Add liquid flavor enhancers:- Pour in Worcestershire sauce and apple cider vinegar to add tang and depth.
    Worcestershire sauce and apple cider vinegar being poured into the sauce mixture
  • Season the sauce:- Add smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper.
    Smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper added to the sauce
  • Stir thoroughly:- Mix everything until the sauce becomes smooth and evenly colored.
    Cookout sauce being stirred until creamy and evenly colored
  • Adjust taste and heat:- Add hot sauce if desired, then taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
    Hot sauce being added to cookout sauce for extra spice
  • Chill and serve:- Cover and refrigerate the sauce for at least 1 hour before serving for best flavor.
    Cookout sauce being stirred until creamy and evenly colored

Video

Notes

Creamy sauce base being mixed until smooth in a glass bowl

Cookout Sauce

  • For the best flavor, refrigerate the cookout sauce for at least 1 hour before serving. Chilling helps all the ingredients blend together and improves the overall taste.
  • This sauce tastes even better the next day, making it perfect for meal prep or cookout planning.
  • Adjust the flavor easily by adding more mustard for extra tang or a small amount of honey or brown sugar for sweetness.
  • If you like heat, increase the hot sauce or add a pinch of cayenne pepper.
  • For a lighter version, replace half of the mayonnaise with plain Greek yogurt without losing creaminess.
  • Cookout sauce works great not only as a dip but also as a spread for burgers, sandwiches, and wraps.
  • Always store the sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator and use within 7 days for best freshness.
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