Zax Sauce Recipe (Copycat Zaxbys Sauce)

This Zax Sauce copycat recipe tastes exactly like the signature dipping sauce from Zaxby’s—creamy, tangy, peppery, and unbelievably good with chicken fingers, fries, sandwiches, and wings. Made with ranch dressing, ketchup, vinegar, and a bold mix of black and white pepper, this homemade version nails that iconic Zaxby’s flavor using simple pantry ingredients. If you love Zaxby’s chicken or my Copycat Zaxby's Chicken Fingers, this dipping sauce is the perfect finishing touch.

Why I Love This Zaxby's Sauce Recipe

The first time I ever had Zaxby’s, I ordered the chicken fingers and ate them without the sauce—rookie mistake. They were delicious on their own, but the next time I tried them with Zax Sauce and it was game over. That peppery, tangy, slightly sweet flavor took everything to another level. Since I’d already created a copycat recipe for the tenders, the next natural step was recreating the sauce.

I tested different combinations—adjusting the ketchup, tweaking the ranch, playing with the acid—until I was close. But when I added granulated garlic and bumped up the black and white pepper, that was the missing piece. It tasted identical to the real deal.

What I love most about this recipe is how simple it is. You get that unmistakable Zaxby’s flavor using basic ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen. The creamy ranch and ketchup create the velvety base, vinegar brightens the whole sauce, and the pepper blend gives it that signature Zaxby’s bite. It comes together in under five minutes and tastes even better after a quick chill in the fridge—perfect for dipping, spreading, drizzling, or dunking everything in sight.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• ½ cup ranch dressing
• 6 tablespoon ketchup
• 1 teaspoon granulated onion
• 2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon white distilled vinegar
• ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
• ½ teaspoon white pepper

How To Make Zax Sauce

Step 1: Combine the Ingredients

In a small bowl, add the ranch dressing, ketchup, granulated onion, black pepper, vinegar, cayenne pepper, and white pepper.

Step 2: Whisk Until Smooth

Whisk everything together until the sauce is creamy, smooth, and fully blended.

Step 3: Chill Before Serving

Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. The pepper settles in and becomes more pronounced as it chills. After you give it time to chill, serve it with chicken tenders, fries, burgers, or anything you want! 

Expert Tips for The Best Zaxbys Sauce

• Use a high-quality ranch dressing. Ranch is the foundation of Zax Sauce, so using a full-fat, good-quality brand makes a huge difference in creaminess and flavor. Hidden Valley, Duke’s, or homemade ranch all work incredibly well. Low-fat ranch will taste thinner and sharper, so stick with full-fat for the most authentic Zaxby’s texture.
• Don’t skip the white pepper—it's essential. White pepper is what gives Zax Sauce its sharp, slightly earthy heat. Black pepper adds warmth, but white pepper brings the signature bite you taste in the original sauce. If you leave it out, the sauce won’t taste like true Zaxby’s.
• Chill the sauce for the best flavor. This is one of those sauces that tastes better after it rests. Let it chill for at least 30 minutes, and ideally 1–2 hours or even overnight, to allow the pepper, onion, and vinegar to bloom into the ranch base. The flavor becomes smoother, deeper, and much more like the real deal.
• Adjust the heat to your preference. Cayenne is what gives the sauce its tiny kick. Add more cayenne—or even a dash of hot sauce—if you want a spicier Zax sauce. For a milder version, reduce or omit the cayenne and add an extra tablespoon of ranch.
• Control your consistency. If you want a thicker, Zaxby ’s-style dipping sauce for chicken fingers and burgers, whisk in 1–2 tablespoons of mayo. For a looser, drizzle-style sauce, add a splash of vinegar or a teaspoon of milk or water.
• Taste and adjust before serving. Every brand of ranch, ketchup, and vinegar tastes slightly different. Once the sauce rests, taste it again—you might want a pinch more pepper, a splash more vinegar, or an extra sprinkle of onion powder to get it perfect.
• Make a double batch—trust me. This sauce disappears fast! It lasts up to one week in the fridge, and the flavor improves each day, so doubling or tripling the recipe is always a good idea, especially if you’re making chicken fingers or hosting.

My Final Thoughts

This copycat Zax Sauce is creamy, tangy, and packed with peppery flavor—perfect for chicken tenders and fries. With simple ingredients and no cooking required, it's a quick sauce that instantly upgrades any meal. Once you try it, you’ll want to keep a jar in your fridge at all times. Leave me a comment and review below if you make it! 

Copycat Sauce Recipes To Make Next

• In-N-Out Sauce
• Raising Cane's Sauce
• Taco Bell Quesadilla Sauce
• Shake Shack Sauce
• Chick-fil-A Sauce