Print

Zaxby’s Tongue Torch Sauce

Zaxby's Tongue Torch Sauce - recipe card
Print Recipe

This fiery, creamy sauce delivers a serious kick with a smooth, luxurious texture. It balances the heat of cayenne and chili powder with a rich, tangy base of mayonnaise and ketchup, making it a perfect dip for chicken tenders, fries, or wings. The sauce is bold and assertive, leaving a lingering warmth that builds with each bite.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup (240g) full-fat mayonnaise
  • 1/4 cup (60g) ketchup
  • 1 tablespoon (15ml) Louisiana-style hot sauce (e.g., Frank’s RedHot)
  • 1 teaspoon (5ml) cayenne pepper
  • 1 teaspoon (5g) chili powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon (3g) garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon (3g) onion powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon (1.5g) smoked paprika
  • 1/4 teaspoon (1.5g) fine sea salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon (1g) freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon (15ml) apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon (5g) granulated sugar

Instructions

  1. In a medium mixing bowl, combine the mayonnaise, ketchup, and Louisiana-style hot sauce. Whisk until the mixture is completely smooth and uniform in color.
  2. Add the cayenne pepper, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, fine sea salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Stir thoroughly to distribute the spices evenly throughout the base.
  3. Pour in the apple cider vinegar and add the granulated sugar. The vinegar adds a tangy brightness that balances the richness of the mayonnaise, while the sugar rounds out the heat.
  4. Whisk everything together vigorously for about 1 minute until all ingredients are fully incorporated. Scrape the bottom and sides of the bowl with a spatula to ensure no pockets of spice remain.
  5. Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning if desired. For extra heat, add more cayenne in 1/4-teaspoon increments, stirring well after each addition.
  6. Transfer the sauce to an airtight container or jar. Cover tightly and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld and intensify.
  7. After chilling, give the sauce a final stir before serving. It should be thick, creamy, and spoonable, with a slight reddish hue from the paprika and chili powder.
  8. Serve as a dipping sauce for chicken tenders, wings, fries, or as a spicy spread for burgers and sandwiches.

Notes

Store the sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Stir well before each use. The sauce is not recommended for freezing, as the mayonnaise may separate upon thawing. If you prefer a thinner consistency, whisk in 1 to 2 teaspoons of water or milk until desired consistency is reached. For a milder version, reduce the cayenne to 1/2 teaspoon and omit the extra hot sauce.

Nutrition

Keywords: tongue torch sauce, Zaxby's sauce, spicy dipping sauce, hot sauce recipe, creamy hot sauce, chicken dipping sauce, no-cook sauce, quick sauce, fiery sauce, homemade sauce, copycat sauce, Southern sauce

Find it online: https://copycatkitchenco.com/zaxbys-tongue-torch-sauce/