Make your own copycat Zax Sauce and dip your chicken and fries at home!
Zaxby’s is a favorite fried chicken fast food joint here in the South. I remember the first time I experienced it about 8 years ago when Ben and I were first married. We were visiting friends in Greenville, SC and Ben said I had to try this place out.
I didn’t like it.
Then, we had it a few more times during other road trips and I grew to love it. Weird, I know. When we moved to Mississippi, we lived just down the road from a Zaxby’s and ended up there once a week. We found a way for our family of three (at the time) to eat for $10, including chicken tenders, fries and a drink for all. It was a treat.
Then we moved to a different town and Zaxby’s is no longer just down the street. This was good and bad for us. Probably good for my waistline (not sure because I was pregnant). 😉 But, bad that we now often forget about Zaxby’s because it’s not as convenient.
Good thing I can now make their sauce at home by whipping up just a few staple pantry ingredients. I initially made this dip last year, using the recipe from Food.com and didn’t get photos to share with you until now. But, the recipe was missing something as is. I added some seasoned salt and BOOM, Ben and I both thought it tasted closer to the real deal.
I think Zaxby’s restaurants are starting to spread to locations as far north as Indiana, so if you haven’t tried it out yet, go for it. And when you do, get the Zax Sauce on the side, then order an extra because you will want more than one pack.
Trust me.
I serve it with crinkle cut fries because crinkle cut is the best. What’s your favorite?
Copycat Zax Sauce {Dipping Sauce for Chicken & Fries}
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 2 Tablespoons ketchup
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon seasoned salt
Instructions
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Mix all ingredients together in a small bowl. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving, to allow the flavors to blend. Serve with chicken fingers and/or french fries.
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Adapted Source: Food.com
Recipe Notes
The cooking time is the chill time. There is no required cooking for this recipe.
I live in Michigan, so definitely out of luck for having one near. I don’t even remember seeing one when I’ve been on vacation in the south. The sauce sounds yummy. Reason enough for me to stop if I ever spot one of the restaurants!
LOVE Zaxby’s! We have one less than a mile from our house. Can’t wait to try your version of the sauce – YUM!
LOVE Zaxby’s!! Ours is about a half hour from the house. Boo 🙁 Can’t wait to try this sauce!
I’ve never had Zaxby’s and now I feel like I’m missing out. 🙁 I will totally make some chicken strips for this sauce at home though. YUM!
I love the zax sauce and always order an extra one. I tried your recipe and it tastes really good! Thanks for sharing.
I love that you posted this. I remember Ben saying you had mastered it. 🙂 Glad I could be there with you for your first time. And glad it got better for you. I miss it in AZ!!
I’ve never heard of Zaxby’s but that is how I feel about the sauce at Chick Filet…I have made a copy cat version of that too!! it’s nommy ; )
I know nothing of seasoned salt. Is it where the other spices are in stores? What flavor of seasoned salt? Or is there just one?
Hi Amanda,
I use Lawry’s seasoned salt. It’s an item located in the spice aisle with regular salt. 🙂
I made this and this was my first time ever tasting this or ever hearing of it . I was looking for something to dip my fries in and Chicken and found your Recipe . Now this is very good to me but was wondering if it mattered what brand or what kind of mayonnaise I use . I used mayo is that what I needed to use ? or should have I used Miracle Whip ? Please let me know . I do want to make this right . Ty Ray McGuire ,,Southwest Kansas
Hi Ray,
Yes, I use mayo… I don’t think the brand should matter, but I do use Hellman’s every time. 🙂 Glad you liked it!
Wow this sauce sounds so perfect, I can’t wait to get a taste of it 🙂
I make something really similar to this to copy Freddys sauce. No w sauce or garlic powder, add pickle juice. Love it!
Thanks, Cara! Is Freddy’s the hamburger joint? We had one open near us in California right before we moved away. I don’t think I ever tried their sauce! 🙂
I love Zaxby’s! We had one where I grew up. When I moved north for college Zaxby’s was a long lost friend. However, now they have started moving north as you said! We live close to the border of Indiana and they have one right over the river. Yay for that! Thanks for the sauce. I am excited to try it (after I douse my fries in season salt of course.)
I never use it because the label says it has anchovies in it. I won’t lie, the thought alone grosses me out! It’s nice that you were able to copy it and leave those nasty things out.
Hi Amy! I hope this doesn’t ruin you, but the reason there are anchovies in Zax Sauce is because anchovies are in Worcestershire sauce. So, this recipe does include anchovies. Did you know Caesar dressing also includes anchovies? 🙂 Again, sorry if I just rocked your world!! Hope you’re not grossed out!
Wrong answer, who knows how the sauce is produced now. However, I worked for Zaxby’s when they were nothing but a concrete block building and yes there are Anchovies included in the real recipe. all of these online have most of the ingredients but do combine the correct method of preparation along with YES adding the anchovies.
I have never heard of Zaxby’s living in MI most of my life. I made this the other night to go with some meatballs….IT WAS AWESOME!! Made it again tonite to go with some chicken, I want to try it on a burger next…move over Ranch, and make room for Zax Sauce!
HA! That’s great, Brenda! It’s seriously great on everything!!
I use to live in Mississippi and I moved to California when I got married three years ago. I miss Zaxby’s SO MUCH and they advertise constantly during football games on SEC Network. I was lamenting on facebook that I couldn’t have Zaxby’s and one of my friends sent me the link to your recipe. You are my new hero!!!!!
Yay! Actually, your friend who gave you the link is the true hero! 😉
Never heard of the restaurant but sauce sounded good. My husband was frying chick fingers and onion rings and fries. So I went out and made the sauce and tried it. It is delicious !! Love it
Hi Barbara! I’m glad you took the chance on it even though you’ve never heard of it. 🙂 Thanks for the feedback!
I tried this and it was tasted Exactly the same as the Zax sauce! Everybody loved it!
My family is a big fan of Zaxby’s;)
Thank you, Emma!
My family eats Zaxby’s often enough that now we have to budget or we’ll break the bank! lol My littlest had leftover food but no more sauce. I found your recipe and it is pretty darn close! The only thing I think it needs is a little acid to cut the sweetness so I added 1/4 tsp Apple Cider Vinegar. PERFECT! Thanks for a great recipe!! =)
I can taste the tamarind paste in the sauce. It’s even listed on the ingredients. But I have yet to see a copycat recipe with this important item.
Hi JJ,
Tamarind is an ingredient in the Worcestershire sauce, so it is included in this recipe.
I added a splash of apple cider vinegar at the end and it made it perfect. spot on.
The missing taste is anchovy paste.
I made this sauce cause I use to live in New Jersey and unfortunately there was no zaxbys there ( I’m now living in Florida less than 5 minutes from a Zaxbys ) Anyway the sauce tasted amazing and great with everything other than chicken and fries! I would recommend trying the sauce with Steak-ums so delicious! I haven’t tried it with season salt though can’t wait! Well try to remember to give my review when I do! Thank you for the recipe!!!
Thank you, Looneybird86! Glad you like the sauce! To clarify, did you like it with the chicken and fries, too?
It taste like too much mayo
This recipe is good I’ve did a taste test before even letting the flavors mix
It is very close to the original. Thanks.