What Sauces Does Cook Out Have, Taste Test & Pairings
With several amazing sauces in Cook Out’s offer, each one brings something unique to the table, and it’s hard to pick a favorite. It took me a few visits to try and pair them all with the best items on the menu. So, I can wholeheartedly say that whether you like it hot, sweet, tangy, or creamy, they have you covered. The best part is, armed with the ingredient lists provided; you can now make your own versions at home. So, what sauces does Cook Out have?
Cook Out has the classics such as Ketchup, Mustard, and Mayonnaise, but it has other options, too, such as Sweet Honey Mustard, Spicy Buffalo, Ranch, tangy Polynesia, and their Signature Sauce.
If you need inspiration for your next Cook Out order, you will find some below. So, grab some napkins and let the ultimate sauce taste test begin!
List of Cook Out Sauces & What They Taste Like
From the classics to the extras, Cook Out has the perfect sauce option for each and every item on their menu. I’ve decided to put them all in one place, describe what they taste like, the best pairings, and how to replicate them at home. Here’s the roundup:
The Classics: Ketchup, Mayo, and Mustard
The regular condiments are exactly what you’d expect. The Ketchup is your standard tomato-based sauce, the Mayonnaise is creamy and eggy, and the Mustard has a tangy, vinegary kick.
As for me, I prefer to dip my fries in Ketchup and Mayo for a perfect blend of sweet and creamy. The Mustard is really best for topping a burger, corndog, or hot dog. While these condiments may seem boring, Cook Out does them well. The Ketchup has just the right amount of tomato flavor without being too acidic or sweet. The Mayonnaise is rich but not greasy. And the Mustard, well, it’s Mustard — pungent and sharp as it is, I found it ideal for cutting through the richness of a burger patty.
For homemade versions, I’d suggest the following:
- Ketchup: Blend tomato paste, white vinegar, sugar, and spices like garlic powder, onion powder, and chili powder. Simmer until thickened.
- Mayonnaise: Whip egg yolks, then slowly drizzle in a neutral oil like canola or vegetable oil while blending. Add lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
- Mustard: Combine ground mustard seeds, vinegar, salt, and spices. Let sit until flavors blend.
While basic, these condiments complete the Cook Out experience for me. Sometimes simple is best!
Signature Sauce
With its Signature Sauce, Cook Out proves you don’t need fancy sauces to make great-tasting food — just high-quality, homemade ingredients. Their Ketchup and Mayo have earned a permanent spot in my heart!
This sauce contains soybean oil, tomato puree, sugar, distilled white vinegar, egg yolk, salt, phosphoric acid, modified food starch, mustard flour, onion powder, spices, garlic powder, paprika, and turmeric. And it’s my favorite because it goes amazing with everything on the menu!
If you want to recreate it at home, you can combine ingredients like mayonnaise, yellow mustard, apple cider vinegar, some honey, Worcestershire sauce, and spices, including paprika, garlic and onion powder, salt and pepper to taste.
And I tried this hack, too! It works beautifully! Here’s how to hack into the most delicious burger experience ever!
BBQ Sauce
Cook Out BBQ Sauce has the perfect blend of sweet and tangy flavors.
The molasses and brown sugar provide a robust sweetness that pairs well with the tomato base. Plus, a subtle chili powder and black pepper kick adds a little heat without being too spicy. Lastly, notes of apple cider vinegar, garlic, and onion round it out for me.
Combine ketchup, molasses, brown sugar, chili powder, black pepper, apple cider vinegar, minced garlic, and diced onion to replicate this at home. Simmer for 10-15 minutes, then let cool. The longer it simmers, the more the flavors blend and intensify.
This versatile sauce is great on burgers, hot dogs, chicken, or fries. I like to dip onion rings in it for the ultimate sweet and salty combo. If you want to make it vegan, just use maple syrup instead of honey and omit the egg. The BBQ Sauce has the perfect blend of flavors that appeals to various tastes.
Honey Mustard Sauce
This sauce perfectly combines sweet and tangy, with the honey rounding out the mustard’s bite. Dip your fries, nuggets, or a burger in it, or use it as a spread on your sandwich or wrap.
To make it at home, combine 3 parts of mayonnaise with 1 part honey and 1 part mustard. Mix well and chill before serving. For extra flavor, add a bit of garlic powder, onion powder, or dried or fresh herbs like dill or chives. Want to spice it up? I usually add a splash of hot sauce or sriracha to turn this sweet and tangy sauce into something spicy and bold.
This versatile condiment pairs well with so many menu items, whether you want to keep it classic with chicken tenders or go rogue with a side of onion rings. However you choose to enjoy Cook Out’s Honey Mustard, one thing’s for sure — you’ll be hooked from the first bite!
Ranch Sauce
The CO Ranch has a tangy, herb-y flavor that reminds me of a classic homemade ranch dressing. It’s made from a blend of buttermilk, herbs like dill and parsley, and spices.
The buttermilk’s creamy texture and cooling sensation complement spicy sandwiches perfectly. Since my order was huge, I tried quite a few pairings. I loved the combination with spicy chicken sandwiches, crispy onion rings, and of course, it went amazing with waffle fries.
To make a copycat version at home, combine sour cream, buttermilk, fresh or dried herbs like dill, parsley, oregano and chives, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Whisk everything together and chill before serving. Fresh herbs are essential for maximum flavor.
Buffalo Sauce
Whenever I think of Cook Out, my mind immediately goes to their spicy chicken sandwiches and wraps, dripping in this tangy, fiery sauce.
Made of cayenne peppers, vinegar, and spices, the Buffalo Sauce packs some heat that builds as you eat. I like to dip Cook Out’s chicken tenders, fries, and onion rings in buffalo sauce. You can also drizzle it on burgers or sandwiches for extra spice.
To make a homemade version, I combined Frank’s Red Hot sauce, melted butter, garlic powder, and black pepper, and it was an absolute hit! If you like bold, spicy flavors, the Buffalo sauce should be your condiment of choice for every order you make there!
Polynesian Sauce
The Polynesian Sauce has a beautiful balance of sweet and tangy flavors. The base is made of sugar, soybean oil, water, corn syrup, corn-cider vinegar, distilled vinegar, tomato paste, salt, paprika, mustard seed, modified cornstarch, beet juice, onion, and garlic.
It’s excellent on burgers, hot dogs, and chicken sandwiches. The sweet flavor pairs perfectly with the savory beef patty on a burger. You can also dip your fries or onion rings in it for extra flavor.
To make your own version at home, combine a cup of ketchup, 1/2 cup pineapple juice, 1/4 cup packed brown sugar, 2 tablespoons white vinegar, 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger, and 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder.
Simmer the ingredients over low heat, stirring frequently, until the sugar dissolves. Let cool, then refrigerate, and it’s ready for your personal use!
And these are the exact emotional stages I go through when I polish off my stock — I simply have to make another batch!
Final Thoughts About Cook Out Sauces…
The classics like Ketchup and Mayo do the trick, but the real stars of the show are definitely the Cook Out signature sauces. BBQ is sweet and smoky; Honey Mustard sauce packs some heat with a sweet aftertaste, while when it comes to creaminess, Ranch can’t be beaten.
If you like it spicy, Buffalo Sauce will tingle your taste buds, while for something tropical, Polynesian Sauce bursts with flavors of pineapple.
The best part is: Ketchup, BBQ, and Polynesian are vegan, so everyone can enjoy them! And even though my favorite is the Signature Cook Out Sauce, each and every one is special to me because I love the flavor combinations they offer!
What is your favorite Cook Out order? I would love to try it out, too, so feel free to write it down in the comments below!
