Cookout Sauces
Cookout Sauces Ranked 2026
All 12 sauces ranked by taste & value. Compare prices, calories, best food pairings, and get copycat recipes for your favorites. Discover what each sauce tastes like and what’s in them.
Cookout dipping sauces are the most overlooked part of the cookout menu. While most people focus on the burgers, trays, and milkshakes, the sauces are quietly what makes the food taste so distinctive. This comprehensive ranked guide covers every sauce on the menu: what each sauce tastes like, how many calories it contains, what’s in each one, which foods to pair it with, and step-by-step copycat recipes so you can recreate them at home. Whether you’re asking “what does cookout sauce taste like?” or looking for the best copycat recipe, you’ll find all the answers here.
🏆 Best Cookout Sauces Ranked by Popularity & Taste – What They Taste Like
Here are the top 5 Cookout sauces ranked by customer preference, flavor versatility, and value. Each ranking is based on popularity metrics, fan reviews, and usage frequency. Discover what each sauce tastes like and why customers keep coming back for more.
Special Sauce — The Signature
Why it’s #1: Creamy, tangy, slightly smoky — works on literally everything. Applied by default to Cookout-Style burgers (this is THE reason to order them). The most versatile sauce on the entire menu. Only $0.50 for a dipping cup.
Best With: Burgers, fries, chicken strips, hushpuppies, wraps
Fan Comment: “This sauce makes regular fries taste like they’re from a five-star restaurant”
Honey Mustard — The Crowd-Pleaser
Why it’s #2: Perfect balance of sweetness and tang without cloying aftertaste. Works with chicken, hushpuppies, AND fries (rare versatility). Lower calorie than most creamy options. The “I can’t go wrong” sauce for group orders.
Best With: Chicken strips, hushpuppies, wraps, fries
Fan Comment: “Better than any commercial honey mustard I’ve tried”
Quesadilla Sauce — The Most Searched
Why it’s #3: Smoky, creamy, mildly spicy chipotle-mayo blend. Most-requested copycat recipe on the internet. Works on way more than just quesadillas (burgers, fries, wraps). Unique flavor you can’t find elsewhere.
Best With: Quesadillas, burgers, fries, onion rings
Fan Comment: “People spend hours trying to recreate this at home”
BBQ Sauce — The Classic
Why it’s #4: Vinegar-forward, Eastern North Carolina style (authentic BBQ flavor). Lowest calorie specialty sauce (~40 cal). Authentic, not the thick-sweet style from chain restaurants. Perfect on burgers, chicken, AND pork.
Best With: Chicken strips, burgers, chopped pork, fries
Fan Comment: “This is what real BBQ sauce should taste like”
Buffalo Sauce — The Heat Seeker
Why it’s #5: Hot sauce + butter blend that delivers heat without overwhelming. Highest-priced sauce ($1.00) but justifies it for spice lovers. Works specifically well with chicken strips. Sharp, vinegary profile.
Best With: Chicken strips, chicken nuggets, burgers
Fan Comment: “Perfect heat level — not too intense but definitely kicks”
🎯 Which Cookout Sauce Should You Order?
Can’t decide which sauce to get? Use this decision tree to find the perfect match for your taste and mood.
If you like CREAMY flavors…
- Special Sauce (tangy creaminess)
- Ranch (classic creamy)
- Quesadilla Sauce (smoky creaminess)
If you like SPICY flavors…
- Buffalo Sauce (hot + buttery)
- Hot Sauce (pure heat)
- Quesadilla Sauce (mild spice)
If you like SWEET flavors…
- Honey Mustard (sweet + tangy)
- Polynesian Sauce (sweet + tropical)
- BBQ Sauce (slight sweetness)
If you’re WATCHING CALORIES…
- Hot Sauce (5 cal) — FREE
- Mustard (10 cal) — FREE
- Ketchup (15 cal) — FREE
- BBQ Sauce (40 cal)
If you’re VEGAN or DAIRY-FREE…
- BBQ Sauce ✅
- Hot Sauce ✅
- Ketchup ✅
- Mustard ✅
If you want BEST VALUE…
- Special Sauce ($0.50, works on everything)
- Hot Sauce (FREE + only 5 cal)
- Honey Mustard ($0.50, very versatile)
🔥 Secret Sauce Combinations (Not On Menu)
These combinations create unique flavors you can’t order directly but taste incredible. Try them by requesting multiple sauce cups!
The Loaded Burger Mix
Mix: Special Sauce (70%) + Quesadilla Sauce (30%)
Taste: Creamy, smoky, complex — tastes custom-made
The Spicy Creamy Dip
Mix: Honey Mustard + 5 drops Hot Sauce
Taste: Sweet with subtle heat
The Carolina BBQ Upgrade
Mix: BBQ Sauce (70%) + Special Sauce (30%)
Taste: Tangy, smoky, savory
The Smoky Ranch
Mix: Ranch (60%) + BBQ Sauce (40%)
Taste: Creamy smoke like a BBQ restaurant
💰 Complete Cookout Sauces Menu — Prices, Calories & Nutrition
Every sauce currently available at Cookout, with prices, calories, fat, sugar, and sodium. Prices vary by location—treat these as estimates. Learn what each sauce tastes like and what’s in them.
| Sauce | Price | Cal | Fat (g) | Sugar (g) | Sodium (mg) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Special Sauce | ~$0.50 | 80 | 8 | 1 | 210 |
| Honey Mustard | ~$0.50 | 60 | 5 | 4 | 240 |
| Buttermilk Ranch | ~$0.50 | 120 | 12 | 1 | 260 |
| Quesadilla Sauce | ~$0.99 | 90 | 9 | 1 | 200 |
| BBQ Sauce | ~$0.50 | 40 | 0 | 7 | 310 |
| Buffalo Sauce | ~$1.00 | 70 | 7 | 0 | 467 |
| Cheese Sauce | ~$1.00 | 130 | 9 | 1 | 420 |
| Polynesian Sauce | ~$0.50 | 110 | 4 | 8 | 270 |
| Hot Sauce | FREE | 5-20 | 0 | 0 | 190 |
| Ketchup | FREE | 15 | 0 | 3 | 160 |
| Yellow Mustard | FREE | 10 | 0 | 1 | 180 |
| Mayonnaise | FREE | 90 | 10 | 0 | 90 |
🍳 Cookout Sauces Copycat Recipes — Make Them at Home
These four sauces have the most loyal followings and are the most frequently recreated at home. Learn how to make them yourself. All recipes have been refined to match the restaurant versions as closely as possible.
🍔 #1: Cookout Special Sauce Copycat Recipe
Ingredients (makes ~4 servings)
- 3 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon ketchup
- 1 teaspoon sweet pickle relish
- ½ teaspoon white wine vinegar
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- Pinch of smoked paprika
- Pinch of salt
Method
- Combine all ingredients in a small bowl
- Mix thoroughly until uniform in color
- Refrigerate for at least 15 minutes before using
- Stores refrigerated for up to 5 days
🍯 #2: Cookout Honey Mustard Copycat Recipe
Ingredients (makes ~6 servings)
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard (or stone-ground)
- 1½ tablespoons honey
- 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon mayonnaise
- Pinch of black pepper
Method
- Whisk all ingredients together until fully smooth
- Taste and adjust honey or vinegar to preference
- Rest 10 minutes before serving for flavors to meld
🌶️ #3: Cookout Quesadilla Sauce Copycat Recipe
Ingredients (makes ~8 servings)
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 2 teaspoons sriracha (adjust to taste)
- 1 teaspoon chipotle powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon cumin
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- Salt to taste
Method
- Combine all ingredients and mix until smooth
- Taste and adjust sriracha for desired heat
- Refrigerate for 30 minutes before serving (essential!)
- Stores refrigerated for up to 1 week
🍖 #4: Cookout BBQ Sauce Copycat Recipe
Ingredients (makes ~10 servings)
- ½ cup apple cider vinegar
- ¼ cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon hot sauce (Texas Pete style)
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Method
- Combine all ingredients in a saucepan over medium heat
- Bring to gentle simmer, stirring until sugar dissolves (3–4 min)
- Remove from heat and cool completely
- Stores refrigerated for up to 2 weeks
🍽️ Best Sauce Pairings by Food Item
The right sauce transforms a good order into a great one. Here’s the definitive pairing guide for every major Cookout food item:
🍗 Best Sauces for Chicken Strips
- Honey Mustard The classic choice — sweet, tangy, and perfectly balanced for crispy chicken.
- BBQ Sauce Best for smoky flavor without creaminess. Lower calorie than most options.
- Buffalo Sauce The top pick if you want heat. Not overwhelming, but gives genuine kick.
- Ranch The crowd-pleasing creamy option. Best for those who want cooling balance.
🍟 Best Sauces for Fries & Cajun Fries
- Ranch The classic fry dip — creamy and salty, with tang from the buttermilk.
- Cheese Sauce Turns regular fries into cheese fries. Best for Cajun fries specifically.
- Special Sauce An underrated choice — the tangy, savory profile works surprisingly well on fries.
🍔 Best Sauces for Burgers
- Special Sauce Order any burger “Cookout Style” to get this automatically. The definitive burger sauce.
- BBQ Sauce Best for Out West Style burgers — smoky, vinegar-forward, and NC authentic.
- Quesadilla Sauce The most requested “off-menu” burger upgrade. Smoky and creamy in a way ketchup isn’t.
🌮 Best Sauces for Quesadillas
- Quesadilla Sauce The obvious answer for a reason — it was designed for this item.
- Ranch A good alternative for those who want creamy without the chipotle smokiness.
🐷 Best Sauces for Hushpuppies
- Honey Mustard The most popular combination at Cookout — a genuine fan favorite that regulars swear by.
- Ranch A creamy complement to the corn-forward sweetness of Cookout’s hush puppies.
⚠️ Allergen & Dietary Information
If you have food allergies or dietary restrictions, here is allergen information for all major Cookout sauces. Always confirm with staff, as cross-contact is possible in shared kitchens.
| Sauce | Egg | Dairy | Gluten | Vegan? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Special Sauce | Yes | No | No | No |
| Honey Mustard | Yes | No | No | No |
| Buttermilk Ranch | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Quesadilla Sauce | Yes | No | No | No |
| BBQ Sauce | No | No | Possible | Yes* |
| Buffalo Sauce | No | Yes | No | No |
| Cheese Sauce | No | Yes | Possible | No |
| Polynesian Sauce | Yes | No | No | No |
| Hot Sauce | No | No | No | Yes |
| Ketchup | No | No | No | Yes |
| Yellow Mustard | No | No | No | Yes |
| Mayonnaise | Yes | No | No | No |
❓ Frequently Asked Questions About Cookout Sauces
Answers to common questions about what Cookout sauces taste like, what’s in them, calories, recipes, and more.
What sauces does Cookout have?
Cookout offers 12 sauces ranked by popularity: 1) Special Sauce, 2) Honey Mustard, 3) Quesadilla Sauce, 4) BBQ Sauce, 5) Buffalo Sauce, plus Ranch, Cheese Sauce, Polynesian Sauce, Hot Sauce, Ketchup, Mustard, and Mayo. Most are available as dipping cups on request.
What does Cookout sauce taste like?
Cookout Special Sauce is creamy, tangy, and slightly smoky — like a premium burger sauce. It has a balanced flavor that’s not too sweet or sharp. It works on burgers, fries, chicken strips, and hushpuppies equally well. This is the #1 ranked sauce for a reason.
What’s in Cookout sauce?
Cookout Special Sauce is made with a mayonnaise base, ketchup, sweet pickle relish, white wine vinegar, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, and salt. The vinegar is the key ingredient that makes it distinctive from regular mayo-based condiments.
What does Cookout Quesadilla sauce taste like?
Cookout Quesadilla Sauce is smoky, creamy, and mildly spicy. It’s a chipotle-mayo blend with complex flavor featuring underlying heat and smoke. It’s much more sophisticated than it sounds and is the most-searched copycat recipe on the internet.
What’s in Cookout Quesadilla sauce?
Quesadilla Sauce contains mayonnaise, chipotle powder, sriracha (or similar hot sauce), cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt. The cumin adds unexpected complexity to the sauce that makes it stand out.
Which Cookout sauce is best?
Special Sauce is the best overall (#1 ranked) — creamy, tangy, works on everything. Honey Mustard is #2 (sweet, tangy, crowd-pleaser). Quesadilla Sauce is #3 (smoky, most-searched). The ‘best’ sauce depends on your food choice and taste preference.
Is Cookout sauce free?
Basic condiments like ketchup, mustard, and mayo are typically free. Specialty sauce cups (honey mustard, ranch, BBQ, quesadilla sauce) may come included with chicken strips or nuggets, but extra cups usually cost $0.20–$1.00 depending on the sauce and location.
How many calories are in Cookout sauce?
Special Sauce has approximately 80 calories per serving. BBQ Sauce is the lowest specialty option at 40 calories. Hot Sauce and Chili Sauce are nearly zero calories (0-5 cal). Free condiments like mustard and ketchup are 10-15 calories each.
What is the best sauce for chicken strips?
Honey Mustard is the most popular sauce for Cookout chicken strips (#2 ranked). BBQ Sauce is best for smoky flavor. Buffalo Sauce is ideal for heat. Ranch is the most popular creamy option. Quesadilla Sauce is an underrated choice many regulars prefer.
Can you buy Cookout sauce in a bottle?
No — Cookout sauces are not sold in grocery stores or bottled for retail. They are only available at Cook Out restaurant locations. Use the copycat recipes in this guide to recreate them at home.
Are any Cookout sauces vegan?
Yes! BBQ Sauce, Hot Sauce, Polynesian Sauce, Chili Sauce, Ketchup, Mustard, and Mayonnaise are vegan-friendly. However, Special Sauce, Honey Mustard, Ranch, Buffalo Sauce, and Cheese Sauce contain eggs or dairy and are not vegan.
