Make your own Zax Sauce and dip your chicken and fries at home using this copycat recipe of Zaxby’s Zax Sauce. A seasoned creamy dipping sauce for chicken fingers and french fries.
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 ate 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.
One thing we absolutely LOVED about Zaxby’s is their Zax Sauce. It’s a creamy seasoned sauce for dipping your chicken and fries. It’s the BEST. Judah was only two years old, so we would trick him out of his Zax Sauce so we could eat his. It went something like this: “Judah, look at that thing over there!” He would turn his head, and we would quickly swap our package of Zax Sauce that was half eaten with his newly opened pack. He never noticed. Ha!
When we moved to a different town, Zaxby’s was no longer just down the street. This was good and bad for us. Probably good for my waistline (not sure because I was pregnant back then). 😉 But, bad that we now often forget about Zaxby’s because it’s not as convenient.
Good thing I can now make the Zax Sauce at home by whipping up just a few staple pantry ingredients. I initially made this chicken and fries 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, and then order an extra because you will want more than one pack.
Trust me.
I serve this homemade Zax Sauce with crinkle cut fries because crinkle cut is the best. What’s your favorite?
Copycat recipe of Zaxby's Zax Sauce. A seasoned creamy dipping sauce for chicken fingers and french fries.
- 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
-
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.
Tried this recipe? Tag @SeededTable on Instagram.
Janel says
November 6, 2013 at 6:46 AMI 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!
Stephanie @ Plain Chicken says
November 6, 2013 at 8:34 AMLOVE Zaxby’s! We have one less than a mile from our house. Can’t wait to try your version of the sauce – YUM!
Cookbook Queen says
November 6, 2013 at 10:07 AMLOVE Zaxby’s!! Ours is about a half hour from the house. Boo 🙁 Can’t wait to try this sauce!
Karly says
November 6, 2013 at 10:21 AMI’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!
latanya says
November 6, 2013 at 11:30 AMI love the zax sauce and always order an extra one. I tried your recipe and it tastes really good! Thanks for sharing.
amber says
November 7, 2013 at 1:58 AMI 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!!
Sheila says
November 7, 2013 at 8:06 AMI’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 ; )
Amanda A says
November 7, 2013 at 11:59 AMI know nothing of seasoned salt. Is it where the other spices are in stores? What flavor of seasoned salt? Or is there just one?
Nikki says
November 7, 2013 at 1:37 PMHi Amanda,
I use Lawry’s seasoned salt. It’s an item located in the spice aisle with regular salt. 🙂
Ray McGuire says
September 7, 2016 at 2:03 PMI 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
Nikki Gladd says
September 12, 2016 at 4:18 PMHi 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!
Nutmeg Nanny says
November 8, 2013 at 8:57 PMWow this sauce sounds so perfect, I can’t wait to get a taste of it 🙂
cara says
November 10, 2013 at 6:52 AMI make something really similar to this to copy Freddys sauce. No w sauce or garlic powder, add pickle juice. Love it!
Nikki says
November 10, 2013 at 7:20 AMThanks, 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! 🙂
Amy says
November 11, 2013 at 6:19 PMI 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.)
Amy Spears says
November 15, 2013 at 2:00 PMI 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.
Nikki says
November 18, 2013 at 8:26 PMHi 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!
voirdire says
August 25, 2015 at 3:50 PMWrong 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.
Brenda says
May 12, 2014 at 6:44 PMI 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!
Nikki Gladd says
May 12, 2014 at 8:07 PMHA! That’s great, Brenda! It’s seriously great on everything!!
Ashley says
August 29, 2014 at 2:42 PMI 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!!!!!
Nikki Gladd says
August 30, 2014 at 7:30 AMYay! Actually, your friend who gave you the link is the true hero! 😉
Barbara says
April 21, 2015 at 6:32 PMNever 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
Nikki Gladd says
April 21, 2015 at 9:20 PMHi Barbara! I’m glad you took the chance on it even though you’ve never heard of it. 🙂 Thanks for the feedback!
Emma says
May 21, 2015 at 1:18 PMI 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;)
Nikki Gladd says
May 21, 2015 at 8:00 PMThank you, Emma!
Katie says
July 21, 2015 at 10:49 AMMy 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!! =)
jj says
November 8, 2015 at 11:10 PMI 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.
Nikki Gladd says
November 9, 2015 at 8:44 PMHi JJ,
Tamarind is an ingredient in the Worcestershire sauce, so it is included in this recipe.
Stephen says
November 28, 2015 at 10:26 AMI added a splash of apple cider vinegar at the end and it made it perfect. spot on.
Anonymous says
August 25, 2016 at 10:50 AMThe missing taste is anchovy paste.
Looneybird86 says
November 28, 2016 at 2:12 AMI 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!!!
Nikki Gladd says
November 28, 2016 at 10:59 AMThank you, Looneybird86! Glad you like the sauce! To clarify, did you like it with the chicken and fries, too?
bob says
July 30, 2017 at 4:08 PMIt taste like too much mayo
Keith says
September 13, 2017 at 6:47 PMThis recipe is good I’ve did a taste test before even letting the flavors mix
It is very close to the original. Thanks.
Troy Kellett says
October 13, 2018 at 5:41 PMMy wife loves Zaxbys zax sauce. I made this for her and she loved it. She said it’s a dead ringer for the real thing and now I have to make a bigger batch. Thanks for the recipe.
Nikki Gladd says
October 15, 2018 at 10:48 AMThank you, Troy! Glad to help you make your wife happy! 😉
samantha says
November 19, 2018 at 7:43 PMIt didn’t work. I wonder why