Cookout Sauces (2026): Full List & Best Picks

Ask any Cook Out regular what keeps them coming back and you will hear about the trays, the shakes, and the cookout sauces. The Southern chain’s lineup of dipping sauces and condiments runs far deeper than ketchup and mustard, with signature blends like Cook Out Sauce, a cult-favorite quesadilla sauce, and a sweet-tangy Polynesian sauce you will not find anywhere else.

In this guide you will find the full list of every sauce at Cook Out, realistic prices, which ones are free and which cost extra, and the best pairings for chicken strips, burgers, Cajun fries, and hushpuppies. Prices and availability may vary by location, since individual Cook Out restaurants set some of their own extras.

Complete Cookout Sauces List: Prices & Calories

Here is every sauce and condiment you can currently get at Cook Out. Prices are realistic based on what locations typically charge, and calories are approximate per 1-2 oz dipping cup. Prices may vary by location.

Which Cookout Sauces Are Free and Which Cost Extra

Cook Out splits its sauces into two camps. The classic condiments that go on burgers and hot dogs are free, while the signature dipping sauces usually carry a small charge. Here is how it breaks down.

Many locations include one dipping sauce free with chicken strip or nugget trays, then charge for extras. If you are ordering several, ask what your location includes before paying, because prices may vary by location.

Best Cookout Sauces for Chicken Strips and Nuggets

Chicken strips are one of the most-ordered Cook Out mains, and the right dip makes all the difference. These are the pairings regulars swear by:

• Honey mustard – the classic pick, sweet and tangy against crispy breading.
• BBQ sauce – smoky-sweet and made for chicken.
• Ranch – cool, creamy, and thick enough to coat every strip.
• Cook Out Sauce – the all-rounder that works on literally everything.
• Polynesian sauce – a sweet, fruity change of pace that fans love with nuggets.
• Buffalo sauce – for when you want real heat on your chicken.

Best Pairings for Burgers, Fries, and Hushpuppies

Matching the sauce to the menu item is half the fun at Cook Out. Use this quick pairing guide next time you order.

What Does Cook Out Sauce Taste Like?

Cook Out Sauce is the chain’s signature blend and the most requested sauce on the menu. Regulars describe it as creamy, tangy, and lightly smoky, landing somewhere between a comeback sauce and a classic fry sauce. The exact recipe is a closely guarded secret, but copycat versions online typically start with mayo, ketchup, and mustard, then add vinegar, Worcestershire-style seasoning, and spices.

It was designed as a burger sauce, but longtime fans insist it is even better as a dip. Order a side of Cook Out Sauce with Cajun fries and you will understand why people talk about it the way they do.

Polynesian, Quesadilla, and Other Fan-Favorite Cookout Sauces

Beyond the signature sauce, a few Cook Out originals have earned their own followings:

• Quesadilla sauce – a creamy southwestern blend with a cult following. It comes on the quesadillas, but regulars know you can ask for it as a side dip for fries and onion rings too.
• Polynesian sauce – sweet, tangy, and tropical. A favorite with chicken strips and nuggets for anyone who likes their dip on the sweeter side.
• Texas Pete – the North Carolina-born house hot sauce. It is free, so there is no reason not to add it to Cajun fries, burgers, or hushpuppies if you like heat.
• Cheese sauce – warm liquid cheddar that turns regular fries into something far more dangerous. Also great drizzled over quesadillas and hot dogs.
• Buffalo sauce – tangy vinegar heat that pairs perfectly with chicken tenders and hushpuppies.

How to Order Extra Sauce Like a Regular

Getting exactly the sauces you want at Cook Out is easy once you know the drill:

1. Ask when you order, not after. Sauces are packed with your food, so request dips at the speaker or counter.
2. Name the sauce clearly. Say “Cook Out Sauce” and not just “your sauce” – there are over a dozen options and the staff will appreciate the precision.
3. Try one new sauce per visit. With signature dips running about fifty cents, it is cheap to experiment until you find your favorites.
4. Mix and match. Regulars combine ranch with hot sauce or honey mustard with BBQ for custom flavors you cannot get from a single cup.
5. Confirm the charge. Most dips cost extra, but some locations include one with chicken trays, and prices may vary by location.

Whether you stick with the classics or chase down every signature blend, cookout sauces are one of the cheapest ways to upgrade a Cook Out run. Start with Cook Out Sauce and honey mustard, branch out to the quesadilla and Polynesian sauces when you are feeling adventurous, and keep Texas Pete on standby for everything else. At about fifty cents a cup, there is no excuse not to find your perfect pairing.