Copycat Zax Sauce Recipe (Zaxby's Signature Dipping Sauce)
Prep: 5 mins Rest: 24 hours Yield: ~¾ cup See recipe card for live cost
Anne Rose
If you've ever been to Zaxby's just for the sauce (no judgment), you can now make Zax Sauce at home in about five minutes — with stuff that's already in your fridge and pantry. It's that creamy, tangy, seriously peppery dipping sauce that makes chicken tenders and fries disappear, and the homemade version tastes just like the real thing for pennies.
It's perfect for anyone who wants to level up chicken night, impress people at a cookout, or just always have the good sauce on hand. Whisk it together, let it chill, and keep a bottle in the fridge next to the rest of your copycat sauces.
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“This is dangerous to have in the fridge — I put it on everything. Tastes just like Zaxby's and takes five minutes.” — Anne
The Peppery Copycat Zax Sauce That Tastes Just Like Zaxby's
The base is a simple mayo-and-ketchup combo — but the thing that makes it Zax Sauce is the black pepper. A full teaspoon of freshly ground pepper gives it that signature peppery bite that sets it apart from Chick-fil-A or Cane's sauce, rounded out with garlic, seasoned salt, vinegar, and a touch of Worcestershire. Five minutes to whisk, and a chill in the fridge does the rest.
- Prep Time 5 mins
- Rest Time 24 hours
- Yield ~¾ cup
- Cost / Serving See card
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My Kitchen Tools
These are the tools I use and love to make this recipe (and life in the kitchen!) easier. You don't need any fancy equipment—just a few favorites that make a big difference!
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Recommended
Squeeze Bottles
Bottle it up and keep it ready to squeeze onto anything.
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Optional
Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls
The perfect bowl for whisking up sauces and dips.
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Stainless Steel Whisks
Whisks it perfectly smooth in seconds.
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Sauces & Dips
Recipe Title
Cost: $0.00 recipe / $0.00 serving
Whisk, chill 24 hours, and serve — photos of the finished sauce are above.
Whisk, chill 24 hours, and serve — photos of the finished sauce are above.
Ingredients
Instructions
Notes
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Nutrition Information
Serving:
Calories:
Serving Suggestions
This is the dipping sauce for chicken tenders, nuggets, and fries — but it's also great on sandwiches, wraps, and burgers. Keep it in a squeeze bottle in the fridge right alongside your other homemade sauces so it's always ready — Wingstop Ranch, Copycat Chick-fil-A Sauce, and Copycat Raising Cane's Sauce.
Storing & Reheating
Keep it refrigerated in an airtight jar or squeeze bottle for up to 2 weeks. No reheating — it's a cold dipping sauce. It actually tastes best after it sits for at least 24 hours, which gives the pepper and Worcestershire time to meld.
Don't leave it out at room temp and don't freeze it — the mayo will separate.
Substitution Tips and Recommendations from Our Audience
Bump up the black pepper or add a dash of hot sauce or cayenne for a spicier, "tongue-torch" style. Not a Worcestershire fan? A tiny splash of soy sauce gives a similar savory depth.
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More heat: bump up the black pepper or add a dash of hot sauce or cayenne for a spicier, tongue-torch style.
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No Worcestershire: a tiny splash of soy sauce gives a similar savory depth.
Frequently Asked Q's
What's in Zax Sauce, whether you can buy a bottle, and how it compares to Chick-fil-A.
Q: What is Zaxby's sauce made of?
Homemade copycat Zax Sauce is mayonnaise, ketchup, freshly ground black pepper, seasoned salt, garlic powder, white vinegar, and Worcestershire. The black pepper is what gives it that signature Zaxby's bite.
Q: Can you buy a bottle of Zaxby's sauce?
Zaxby's sells Zax Sauce in-store, but it's not always easy to grab. This 5-minute copycat uses pantry ingredients and keeps in the fridge for about 2 weeks — so you can skip the drive-thru run.
Q: Is Zaxby's sauce like Chick-fil-A sauce?
They're cousins — both mayo-and-ketchup dips — but Zax Sauce is much more peppery. Chick-fil-A sauce is sweeter and smokier (honey + BBQ). If you want that one too, I have a Copycat Chick-fil-A Sauce.
Q: What sauce is closest to Zaxby's sauce?
This copycat. Cane's is the closest restaurant cousin, but Cane's leans garlicky/Worcestershire while Zax Sauce is the pepper-forward one. Don't skip the freshly ground pepper or the 24-hour chill.
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