Cookout Sauces
Cookout Sauces & Condiments 2026: Every Sauce, Calories & Copycat Recipes
Cookouts sauces are a quiet strength of the chain. The house-made Special Sauce, honey mustard, and quesadilla sauce each develop loyal followings — and all three are commonly recreated at home by people who can’t get enough. This guide covers every condiment at Cookout, their calorie counts, and the best copycat recipes.
Complete Cookout Sauce List
| Sauce | Used On | Calories/Serving | Available Separately? |
| Cookout Special Sauce | Cookout-Style Burger | ~80 cal | Ask at counter |
| Honey Mustard | Wraps, dipping | ~60 cal | Ask at counter |
| Buttermilk Ranch | Wraps, dipping | ~120 cal | Ask at counter |
| Quesadilla Sauce | Quesadillas, dipping | ~90 cal | Ask at counter |
| BBQ Sauce | BBQ items, dipping | ~40 cal | With BBQ orders |
| Ketchup | Burgers, fries | ~15 cal | Standard condiment |
| Yellow Mustard | Hot dogs, burgers | ~5 cal | Standard condiment |
| Mayonnaise | Burgers, wraps | ~90 cal | Standard condiment |
| TIP | Ask for sauce cups at the drive-thru window. Staff will typically provide extra sauce for dipping at no charge. Honey mustard with hush puppies is a fan favourite combination. |
The Cookout Special Sauce
The Special Sauce is applied to the ‘Cookout Style’ burger and is the chain’s signature condiment. It’s a creamy, slightly tangy, orange-tinted sauce in the Thousand Island / burger-sauce tradition — mayonnaise-based with ketchup, relish, and seasoning. More savory and less sweet than McDonald’s Big Mac sauce. Many customers request it on burgers that don’t include it by default.
Special Sauce Calories
Approximately 70–90 calories per standard serving (~1.5 tbsp). Mayonnaise-based, so fat content is meaningful despite the modest calorie count. Budget ~80 calories per application when tracking macros.
Copycat Special Sauce Recipe
- 3 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon ketchup
- 1 teaspoon sweet pickle relish
- ½ teaspoon white vinegar
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- Pinch of paprika
Combine all ingredients and rest for 15 minutes before using. The vinegar is the key — it provides the tang that separates a quality burger sauce from plain ketchup-mayo.
Cookout Honey Mustard
Cookout honey mustard is the most praised individual condiment at the chain. Unlike commercial fast-food honey mustards that are overwhelmingly sweet, Cookout version is mustard-forward with balanced sweetness. Popular as a dipping sauce for chicken strips, hush puppies, and fries, not just as a wrap sauce.
Honey Mustard Calories
Approximately 55–65 calories per standard sauce cup (~1.5 tbsp). Lower than ranch due to the mustard rather than mayo base.
Copycat Honey Mustard Recipe
- 2 tablespoons Dijon or stone-ground mustard
- 1.5 tablespoons honey
- 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon mayonnaise (for creaminess)
- Pinch of black pepper
The differentiator is the acid (apple cider vinegar) and the higher mustard-to-honey ratio (~1:1 vs the 2:1 honey-dominant ratio in commercial versions). Rest 10 minutes before serving.
Cookout Quesadilla Sauce
The most-searched individual sauce at Cookout. Creamy, smoky-orange, and slightly spicy — a chipotle-mayo style sauce served with beef and chicken quesadillas. Popular enough that customers request it as a standalone dipping sauce for fries, onion rings, and cheese bites.
Quesadilla Sauce Calories
Approximately 85–95 calories per standard serving. Mayonnaise-based with chili seasoning.
Copycat Quesadilla Sauce Recipe
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 2 teaspoons sriracha (adjust to taste)
- 1 teaspoon chipotle powder or smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon cumin
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- Salt to taste
Blend until smooth. Refrigerate for 30 minutes before serving for best flavour development.
Cookout BBQ Sauce
Cookout BBQ sauce reflects its North Carolina roots: a thin, vinegar-forward Eastern NC style rather than the thick, sweet KC-style sauces used at chains like Chick-fil-A. Sharper and more acidic than most fast-food BBQ sauces, it cuts the fat of the slow-cooked chopped pork perfectly. Approximately 35–45 calories per serving — significantly less than thick tomato-based BBQ sauces because of the vinegar base.
Drinks & Beverages: Common Questions
Does Cookout Have Dr Pepper?
Most Cookout locations carry Coca-Cola products, which excludes Dr Pepper (a Keurig Dr Pepper brand). The standard fountain lineup includes Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite, Fanta, and Mello Yello or Pibb Xtra. A small number of locations may vary. Ask at your specific location.
Does Cookout Have Root Beer?
Barq’s Root Beer is a Coca-Cola brand and appears at some Cookout locations as part of the fountain selection, but availability is not universal. Confirm at your location.
Does Cookout Have Lemonade?
Yes — most locations offer lemonade as a fountain drink option. Typically a standard lemonade rather than flavoured or pink varieties. Availability varies by location and season.
Does Cookout Have Slushies or Smoothies?
Cookout does not offer slushies or smoothies as standard menu items. The frozen drink offering is milkshakes only.
Does Cookout Have Sweet Tea?
Yes. Sweet tea is a standard menu item at all Cookout locations — a properly brewed, Southern-style sweet tea. Unsweetened tea is also available. Both are included as the drink on any tray.
Cookout Sauces Calorie Summary
| Sauce | Calories/Serving | Base |
| Special Sauce | ~80 cal | Mayonnaise |
| Honey Mustard | ~60 cal | Mustard + honey |
| Buttermilk Ranch | ~120 cal | Buttermilk |
| Quesadilla Sauce | ~90 cal | Mayonnaise + chipotle |
| BBQ Sauce | ~40 cal | Vinegar + tomato |
| Ketchup (packet) | ~15 cal | Tomato |
| Mayonnaise (tbsp) | ~90 cal | Oil + egg |
FAQ — Cookout Sauces
Q1. What sauces does Cookout have?
Special Sauce, Honey Mustard, Buttermilk Ranch, Quesadilla Sauce, BBQ Sauce, plus standard ketchup, mustard, and mayonnaise.
Q2. Can you get extra sauce at Cookout?
Yes — ask for sauce cups at the drive-thru or counter. Staff typically accommodate without charge.
Q3. How do you make Cookout quesadilla sauce?
Blend ½ cup mayo with 2 tsp sriracha, 1 tsp chipotle powder, ½ tsp garlic powder, ¼ tsp cumin, and salt. Refrigerate 30 minutes before serving.
