Cookout Sauces
Cookout 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. The Special Sauce on a Cookout-Style burger, the honey mustard on chicken strips, the quesadilla sauce that people recreate obsessively at home — these condiments have developed loyal followings of their own.
This is the most complete guide to Cookout sauces available anywhere. Whether you’re searching for cookout near me and want to know what to order when you get there, or you’re trying to recreate your favorite sauce at home, this page has everything: what’s in each sauce, how many calories it contains, what food to pair it with, and step-by-step copycat recipes for the four most popular options.
Complete Cookout Sauce Menu — Prices, Calories & Pairings (2026)
Every sauce currently available at Cookout, with estimated prices, calorie counts, and the food items they pair best with. Prices vary by location; treat these as estimates.
| Sauce | Est. Price | Calories/Serving | Base | Best With |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cookout Special Sauce | Ask / ~$0.50 | ~80 cal | Mayonnaise | Burgers, fries, chicken |
| Honey Mustard | ~$0.20–$0.50 | ~60 cal | Mustard + honey | Chicken strips, wraps, hush puppies |
| Buttermilk Ranch | ~$0.20–$0.50 | ~120 cal | Buttermilk | Fries, wraps, onion rings |
| Quesadilla Sauce | ~$0.50–$0.99 | ~90 cal | Mayo + chipotle | Quesadillas, burgers, fries |
| BBQ Sauce | ~$0.20–$0.50 | ~40 cal | Vinegar + tomato | Chicken strips, chopped pork, burgers |
| Buffalo Sauce | ~$0.50–$1.00 | ~70 cal | Hot sauce + butter | Chicken strips, nuggets |
| Cheese Sauce | ~$0.75–$1.00 | ~130 cal | Processed cheese | Fries, hot dogs, burgers |
| Polynesian Sauce | ~$0.50 | ~110 cal | Sweet & tangy | Chicken, nuggets |
| Hot Sauce | ~$0.20–$0.50 | ~5–20 cal | Vinegar + peppers | Chicken, burgers, fries |
| Ketchup | Often free | ~15 cal | Tomato | Fries, burgers |
| Yellow Mustard | Often free | ~10 cal | Mustard | Hot dogs, burgers |
| Mayonnaise | Often free | ~90 cal/tbsp | Oil + egg | Burgers, wraps, sandwiches |
Every Cookout Sauce Explained
What each sauce actually tastes like, why it’s popular, and the specific dishes it works best with on the cookout menu:
Cookout Special Sauce
~80 cal per serving
Creamy, orange-tinted, and slightly tangy. Think Thousand Island with more savory depth and less sweetness than a Big Mac sauce. Applied to the Cookout-Style burger by default. The chain’s flagship condiment — ask to add it to any burger.
Honey Mustard
~60 cal per serving
Mustard-forward with balanced sweetness — noticeably better than the aggressively sweet commercial versions at other chains. The most praised individual sauce at Cookout. Works on everything from chicken strips to hush puppies.
Buttermilk Ranch
~120 cal per serving
Tangy, creamy, and properly made with buttermilk. Far more flavor than packet ranch. The go-to dipping sauce for fries, onion rings, and Cajun items. Higher in calories due to the buttermilk and oil base.
Quesadilla Sauce
~90 cal per serving
Smoky, creamy, and mildly spicy — a chipotle-mayo style sauce that’s so popular people recreate it at home obsessively. Served with quesadillas but is just as good on fries, burgers, and onion rings.
BBQ Sauce
~40 cal per serving
Thin, vinegar-forward, and Eastern North Carolina in character. Sharper and more acidic than the thick sweet BBQ at most chains. Cuts the fat of the chopped pork perfectly. The lightest non-condiment sauce option.
Buffalo Sauce
~70 cal per serving
Classic buffalo profile — hot sauce base with a buttery richness that rounds out the heat. Best on chicken strips and nuggets. Not as fiery as some commercial buffalos, which makes it approachable for most people.
Cheese Sauce
~130 cal per serving
The highest-calorie option. Warm, processed-cheese style that turns fries into loaded cheese fries. Best ordered as a side upgrade rather than a standalone dip. If you’re getting Cajun fries, the Cheese Sauce is a natural pairing.
Polynesian Sauce
~110 cal per serving
Sweet, tangy, and slightly fruity. The least common order but a surprisingly good pairing with crispy chicken and nuggets. Similar to a sweet-and-sour but smoother and less acidic. Worth trying if you’re feeling adventurous.
Hot Sauce
~5–20 cal per serving
The lowest-calorie sauce on the menu. Vinegar-based with clean chile heat. No creaminess, no sweetness — just punch. Perfect if you want to add heat without adding calories. Good on virtually everything.
Ketchup
~15 cal per packet
Standard Heinz-style ketchup. Typically free at the counter. The default burger and fry condiment. Nothing special, but reliable and low-calorie relative to most sauces.
Yellow Mustard
~10 cal per serving
Classic American yellow mustard. The second-lowest-calorie option after hot sauce. Best on hot dogs and burgers. Adds tang and acidity without fat. Also free at the counter.
Mayonnaise
~90 cal per tablespoon
Standard mayo applied to burgers and wraps. High in fat due to the oil base, which is also what makes it creamy. The calorie count per tablespoon is deceptively high — use sparingly if you’re tracking intake.
Cookout Sauce Calorie Chart — Lowest to Highest
A visual comparison of all Cookout sauce calories, from the lightest to the most indulgent:
Best Sauce Pairings by Food Item
The right sauce transforms a good cookout menu order into a great one. Here’s the definitive pairing guide for every major Cookout food item:
🍗 Best Sauces for Chicken Strips
- Honey MustardThe classic choice — sweet, tangy, and perfectly balanced for crispy chicken.
- BBQ SauceBest for smoky flavor without creaminess. Lower calorie than most options.
- Buffalo SauceThe top pick if you want heat. Not overwhelming, but gives genuine kick.
- RanchThe crowd-pleasing creamy option. Best for those who want cooling balance.
- Quesadilla SauceThe unexpected favorite — smoky and rich in a way that elevates chicken strips.
🍟 Best Sauces for Fries & Cajun Fries
- RanchThe classic fry dip — creamy and salty, with tang from the buttermilk.
- Cheese SauceTurns regular fries into cheese fries. Best for Cajun fries specifically.
- Special SauceAn underrated choice — the tangy, savory profile works surprisingly well on fries.
- Hot SauceAdds heat without calories. Best if you’re already having Cajun fries and want more fire.
🍔 Best Sauces for Burgers
- Special SauceOrder any burger “Cookout Style” to get this automatically. The definitive burger sauce at the chain.
- BBQ SauceBest for Out West Style burgers — smoky, vinegar-forward, and NC authentic.
- Quesadilla SauceThe most requested “off-menu” burger upgrade. Smoky and creamy in a way ketchup isn’t.
🌮 Best Sauces for Quesadillas
- Quesadilla SauceThe obvious answer for a reason — it was designed for this item and is a near-perfect pairing.
- RanchA good alternative for those who want creamy without the chipotle smokiness.
🐷 Best Sauces for Hush Puppies
- Honey MustardThe most popular combination at Cookout — a genuine fan favorite that regulars swear by.
- RanchA creamy complement to the corn-forward sweetness of Cookout’s hush puppies.
Cookout Sauce Copycat Recipes — Make Them at Home
These four sauces have the most loyal followings and are the most frequently recreated at home. The recipes below have been refined to match the Cookout version as closely as possible.
🍔 Cookout Special Sauce Copycat Recipe
The chain’s flagship condiment — slightly tangy, creamy, and savory. More mayo-forward than ketchup-forward, which is what separates it from generic burger sauce.
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 the sauce is uniform in color.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes before using.
- Stores refrigerated for up to 5 days.
🍯 Cookout Honey Mustard Copycat Recipe
Cookout’s honey mustard has a higher mustard-to-honey ratio than most commercial versions, which gives it that distinctive tangy depth without being cloying.
Ingredients (makes ~6 servings)
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard (or stone-ground)
- 1½ tablespoons honey
- 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon mayonnaise (for creaminess)
- Pinch of black pepper
Method
- Whisk all ingredients together until fully smooth.
- Taste and adjust honey (for sweetness) or vinegar (for tang).
- Rest for 10 minutes before serving for flavors to meld.
🌶️ Cookout Quesadilla Sauce Copycat Recipe
The most-searched sauce on the entire Cookout menu. Smoky, creamy, mildly spicy — it works on quesadillas, fries, burgers, and literally anything else.
Ingredients (makes ~8 servings)
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 2 teaspoons sriracha (adjust to heat preference)
- 1 teaspoon chipotle powder (or smoked paprika for milder version)
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon cumin
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- Salt to taste
Method
- Combine all ingredients in a bowl and mix until smooth.
- Taste and adjust sriracha for heat level.
- Refrigerate for 30 minutes before serving — this step is essential for flavor development.
- Stores refrigerated for up to 1 week.
🍖 Cookout BBQ Sauce Copycat Recipe
Cookout’s BBQ sauce reflects its North Carolina roots — thin, vinegar-forward, and Eastern NC in character. Nothing like the thick, sweet KC-style sauces at other chains.
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 small saucepan over medium heat.
- Bring to a gentle simmer, stirring until sugar dissolves (3–4 minutes).
- Remove from heat and cool completely before serving.
- Stores refrigerated in a sealed jar for up to 2 weeks.
Cookout Sauce Allergen & Dietary Information
If you have food allergies or dietary restrictions, here is allergen information for all major Cookout sauces. Always confirm with staff at your specific location, as formulations can vary and cross-contact is possible in shared kitchens.
| Sauce | Egg | Dairy | Gluten | Soy | Vegan? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Special Sauce | Yes | No | No | Possible | No |
| Honey Mustard | Yes | No | No | Possible | No |
| Buttermilk Ranch | Yes | Yes | No | Possible | No |
| Quesadilla Sauce | Yes | No | No | Possible | No |
| BBQ Sauce | No | No | Possible | Possible | Yes* |
| Buffalo Sauce | No | Yes | No | Possible | No |
| Cheese Sauce | No | Yes | Possible | Possible | No |
| Hot Sauce | No | No | No | No | Yes |
| Ketchup | No | No | No | Possible | Yes |
| Yellow Mustard | No | No | No | No | Yes |
| Mayonnaise | Yes | No | No | Possible | No |
*BBQ Sauce is typically vegan, but formulations vary. Confirm with your location. “Possible” for soy indicates potential cross-contact or soy-derived ingredients in the base.
Ordering Tips — Get the Most from Cookout Sauces
How to Order Extra Sauce
At the drive-thru window or counter, simply say: “Can I get two honey mustards with that?” or “Can I add a ranch cup?” Most Cookout staff will accommodate one or two extra sauce cups without charge, especially if you’re ordering chicken strips or a tray. Specialty sauces (cheese sauce, quesadilla sauce) are more likely to carry an extra charge.
Sauce on the Side — The Calorie Control Move
If you’re watching calories, always ask for sauce on the side rather than applied during preparation. Dipping instead of coating can cut your sauce calorie intake by 30–50%. This is especially impactful with Ranch (~120 cal) and Cheese Sauce (~130 cal), where a generous pour during prep can add significantly more than a single serving.
The Honey Mustard + Hush Puppy Combination
This is the most beloved unlisted pairing at Cookout, passed between regulars for years. The sweetness of the corn-based hush puppies and the tangy depth of Cookout honey mustard is genuinely exceptional. If you haven’t tried it, order hush puppies as your tray side and ask for an extra honey mustard cup.
Requesting Special Sauce on Non-Standard Burgers
Cookout Special Sauce is automatically applied to the “Cookout Style” burger, but you can request it on any burger. Just say “Can I get the Special Sauce on that?” at the window. It’s an upgrade that significantly improves burgers that come plain by default.
Sauce Availability Varies by Location
Not every sauce is available at every Cookout location. Polynesian Sauce and Cheese Sauce in particular have inconsistent availability. If you’re hunting a specific cookout near me for a particular sauce, it’s worth calling ahead to confirm.
Frequently Asked Questions — Cookout Sauces
What sauces does Cookout have?
Cookout offers 12 sauces: Special Sauce, Honey Mustard, Buttermilk Ranch, Quesadilla Sauce, BBQ Sauce, Buffalo Sauce, Cheese Sauce, Polynesian Sauce, Hot Sauce, Ketchup, Yellow Mustard, and Mayonnaise. Most are available as dipping cups on request at the drive-thru or counter.
Is Cookout sauce free?
Basic condiments (ketchup, mustard, mayo) are typically free. Specialty sauce cups — honey mustard, ranch, BBQ, quesadilla sauce — often come included with chicken strips or nuggets. Extra specialty cups usually cost $0.20–$1.00 depending on the sauce and location. Most staff will include one extra at no charge if you ask.
What is Cookout Special Sauce?
Cookout Special Sauce is a creamy, slightly tangy, orange-tinted mayo-based sauce similar to Thousand Island but more savory and less sweet than a Big Mac sauce. It contains mayonnaise, ketchup, sweet pickle relish, vinegar, and seasoning. It’s applied automatically to the Cookout-Style burger and can be requested on any other item.
What is Cookout Quesadilla Sauce made of?
Cookout Quesadilla Sauce is a chipotle-mayo style sauce made primarily from mayonnaise, chipotle or smoked spice, garlic powder, and a touch of heat. It’s creamy, smoky, and mildly spicy. The exact recipe isn’t public, but the copycat version (½ cup mayo + 2 tsp sriracha + 1 tsp chipotle powder + ½ tsp garlic powder + ¼ tsp cumin) is very close.
Which Cookout sauce has the fewest calories?
Hot Sauce is the lowest-calorie Cookout sauce at approximately 5–20 calories per serving. Yellow Mustard (~10 cal) and Ketchup (~15 cal) are also very low. BBQ Sauce (~40 cal) is the lightest option if you want flavor beyond basic condiments.
Which Cookout sauce has the most calories?
Cheese Sauce is the highest-calorie Cookout sauce at approximately 130 calories per serving. Buttermilk Ranch (~120 cal) and Polynesian Sauce (~110 cal) are also high. Mayonnaise is technically ~90 cal per tablespoon, but a full serving cup adds up quickly.
Can you buy Cookout sauces in a bottle?
No — Cookout sauces are not sold in grocery stores or as retail bottles. They are only available at Cook Out restaurant locations. If you love a particular sauce, ask for extra cups when ordering. The copycat recipes on this page are the best way to enjoy them at home.
What is the best sauce for Cookout chicken strips?
Honey Mustard is the most popular and most recommended sauce for Cookout chicken strips. It’s the classic pairing. BBQ Sauce is the best choice for smoky flavor, Buffalo Sauce for heat, and Ranch for the creamy option. Quesadilla Sauce is an underrated choice that many regulars prefer.
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 typically includes Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite, Fanta, and Mello Yello or Pibb Xtra. Confirm at your specific location, as a small number may vary.
Does Cookout have sweet tea?
Yes — sweet tea is a standard menu item at all Cookout locations. It’s a properly brewed, Southern-style sweet tea. Unsweetened tea is also available. Both are included as the drink option on any cookout tray order.
