Here’s What Chili’s Signature Sauce Is & How to Make It
When I hear “secret sauce,” I can’t help but dig until it isn’t a secret anymore. Known for the perfect integration of Latin cuisine and American cooking, Chili’s has been one of my favorite fast-food chains for a long time.
After successfully hacking their secret sauce, which was a delightful experience since I am a sucker for fast food, I am here to share with you my insights. So, keep reading to find out what this sauce is, what to pair it with, and how to make it at home.
What Is Chili’s Signature Secret Sauce, and What Does It Taste Like?
Well, in addition to explaining it as a heavenly condiment turning a simple dish into a gourmet experience, I would also say that it is a very vibrant and hearty sauce. It is a proprietary blend and the bearer of the Chili’s essence.
The exact recipe is a closely guarded secret, but as I said, today, that secret is not as well-hidden as before. Although the details may not be known, it is safe to say that Chili’s signature sauce contains mayonnaise, ketchup, barbecue sauce, honey, and mustard, and a pinch of turmeric.
What makes this sauce such a delight is the combination of flavors it includes. It is predominantly tangy with hints of sweetness, smokiness, and just a tad of spiciness. This delicious sauce is a rich and a very satisfying sauce, perfectly balancing the tasting notes into a single vibrant flavor.
If I could eat it with a spoon, I would!
What to Pair It With?
And now we come to the fun part! Chili’s secret sauce has been designed to pair with almost anything at Chili’s, and you don’t mind experimenting; you can have it with everything on the menu.
I love it the most with their ribs and steaks. The juicy meats somehow become even juicier when dipped or topped with this sauce. If you are a meat lover, this is definitely something you must try.
Another great combo is seafood or chicken and this sauce. I don’t know why, but Chili’s seafood and chicken tend to give out similar vibes, and they pair perfectly with the Chili’s secret sauce. So, go for this pairing if you are a fan of light and lean meals.
Chili’s cheese fries are one more excellent dish to pair the Chili’s secret sauce with. They are cheesy and crispy and dipped in this sauce; they become more of everything.
Salads and vege-based dishes are great with the secret sauce. It gives them more body, so they feel fuller and richer.
The quesadillas, fajitas, sandwiches, and burgers are all excellent choices to pair with the Chili’s secret sauce.
I could go on and on, listing everything on the menu since it is so versatile and so well-adjusted to different flavors. So, I encourage you to try it yourself with whatever you want. It is the little black dress of sauces.
How to Make Chili’s Signature Sauce at Home?
Although you can’t completely replicate this sauce at home, you can still make a pretty decent copy and, with a little luck, a great copycat sauce!
Chili’s signature sauce is a delightful concoction that marries tangy, sweet, and savory notes. To make it, combine ketchup, honey, mustard, barbecue sauce, and an optional dash of Worcestershire sauce in a bowl. Once blended, stir in a mix of spices including turmeric, garlic powder, paprika, and season with salt and pepper.
After a taste test and any necessary adjustments, refrigerate the sauce for optimal flavor melding. Detailed ingredient quantities and steps can be found below.
Storing Tips
Your homemade Chili’s secret sauce must be kept in the fridge at all times. Do not tempt your luck because it contains mayo, which, although durable, can spoil the sauce if kept outside.
The perfect container would be an airtight one, but if you don’t have such a container at home, keep it in a glass jar with the lid tightly sealed.
Always scoop the sauce with a clean utensil and make sure you don’t contaminate it. Kept like this, your sauce will be tasty and safe for up to a week.
Don’t freeze it because it will lose all its charms when defrosted.
Chili’s Signature Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon mustard
- 1 teaspoon barbecue sauce
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce optional
- 1 teaspoon turmeric
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- The making of this sauce is very easy and it contains three simple steps. First, add all ingredients but the spices, into a mixing bowl.
- Mix the ingredients until they homogenize.
- Add the spices to the mixture and mix again.
- Once you are done mixing, taste the sauce and adjust the flavors to your liking. Transfer it into a container and pop it in the fridge.
Nutrition
Before diving into the nutritional details, please review our Nutritional Disclaimer page for important context and clarifications.
