Craving that tangy, savory kick from Bojangles' signature sauce? Good news-I've got a copycat recipe that'll hit the spot! With the perfect mix of spices, it's just what you need for your crispy chicken or fries. Trust me, this homemade Bo sauce is super easy to whip up and seriously tasty. If you want to bring a bit of Bojangles' magic into your kitchen, you've got to give it a try!
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I've been having such a blast cracking some of my favorite fast-food recipes.
I mean, who doesn't love a quick and easy way to make their favorite restaurant dishes at home? Especially when you ask at the window to load up on the sauce, and THEY FORGET! (That happened to me twice this month with Freddy's Fry Sauce and Popeyes' Gravy.)
When it happened at Bojangles' this past weekend, I decided it was time to make my own Bo sauce. Trust me, once you try this homemade version, you'll be hooked!
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Why you'll love this recipe
- Features the perfect balance of tangy, sweet, and savory flavors.
- Only takes 10 minutes to make and requires no cooking!
- Use this sauce on your favorite fried chicken, fries, sandwiches, or as a dipping sauce.
What is Bo Sauce?
Bo sauce, also known as Bojangles' sauce, is a signature dipping sauce served at the popular fast-food chain Bojangles'.
It's a creamy, tangy sauce that goes great with their famous fried chicken and pretty much anything else on the menu. This sauce takes any dish up a notch and is a big hit with Bojangles' fans!
When researching what is in Bo sauce, the ingredients on the container are listed as soybean oil, water, high fructose corn syrup, horseradish sauce, distilled and cider vinegar, egg yolks, sugar, salt, spices, red bell pepper, notion, turmeric, paprika, and potassium sorbate.
But I found that making it at home with a handful of ingredients can give you just as delicious results!
Key ingredients
Let's take a closer look at some of the key ingredients needed to make this Bojangles' bo sauce at home:
Mayonnaise: I recommend using full-fat mayo for the creamiest texture and best flavor. You can also use light mayo if preferred.
Horseradish Sauce: Adding a bit of horseradish gives the dipping sauce a slight kick and tanginess to the sauce. If you don't like horseradish, you can leave it out or substitute it with Dijon mustard.
Sweet Chili Sauce: For a touch of sweetness and heat, I used sweet chili sauce in this recipe. It's a blend of red chilies, garlic, and vinegar.
Tip: Make your own sweet chili sauce with my copycat recipe from McDonald's!
Heather's helpful hints
- Turmeric gives your Bo Sauce that classic yellow color, just like you'd see at a restaurant. It doesn't have a strong flavor, so feel free to leave it out if you want. The only thing that will change is the sauce's color!
- Want to kick it up a notch? Just add some hot sauce or a sprinkle of cayenne pepper for the heat you like.
Step-by-step instructions
You'll find the whole recipe below, and you can print it to keep for later. But before diving in, let's go through it step-by-step so you know exactly what to do!
Step 1
Grab a medium-sized bowl and add in some mayonnaise, horseradish sauce, sweet chili sauce, and ketchup.
Step 2
In another bowl, mix together all of the spices needed.
Step 3
Mix some spices into the mayo. Stir it all together, and tweak the seasoning until it tastes just right.
Variations and Substitutions
Looking for a couple of ways to mix things up? Here are a few ideas to get you started!
Spice it up: If your dinner guests like a bit of spice, why not toss in some cayenne pepper, hot sauce, or finely chopped fresh jalapeños? These will add some heat and give the sauce a whole new vibe.
Make it sweeter: Try adding more sweet chili sauce or even a bit of honey or brown sugar. It'll balance out the tanginess and give a nice, sweet twist to the flavor.
Swap it out: If you don't have sweet chili sauce on hand, you can mix equal parts hot sauce (or sriracha) and honey, which replicates the sweet heat of chili sauce.
Make ahead and storage
Bo sauce really shines when you make it ahead and keep it in an airtight jar in the fridge. This gives the flavors time to meld and get even better. You can prep it up to a week before you need it.
Just a heads up-I wouldn't suggest freezing it because the texture and consistency might change once you thaw it out.
Equipment
Here is everything you need to make this copycat Bojangles' sauce:
- Medium-sized bowl
- Whisk or fork
- Measuring spoons
Meal ideas
My family likes to use this sauce with crispy chicken tenders for a quick weeknight dinner. Some other options include:
- Drizzle it over baked potato wedges with fry seasoning for a tangy twist.
- Use it as a spread on homemade grilled chicken sandwiches for an extra layer of flavor.
- Pair it with fried shrimp or catfish and coleslaw for a zesty dipping sauce that takes your seafood to the next level.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can use vegan mayonnaise in this recipe! Just make sure it has a consistency and flavor similar to regular mayo.
Besides mustard, you can also use wasabi paste or grated fresh ginger as a substitute for horseradish. They all have a similar tangy and spicy flavor to add to the sauce.
If stored properly in an airtight container in the fridge, this sauce can last up to 1 week. Just make sure to use fresh ingredients and clean utensils when making it!
Related recipes
If you're in the mood for more copycat sauce recipes, check out these favorites from My Sweet Precision!
Not sure what to try? Check out our complete recipe index to search for recipes, baking tips, and more!
Recipe
Bojangle's Bo Sauce
Ingredients
- ¾ cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon horseradish sauce
- 2 tablespoons sweet chili sauce
- 2 tablespoon ketchup
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon turmeric powder
Instructions
- Add the mayonnaise, horseradish sauce, sweet chili sauce, and ketchup to a medium-sized bowl.
- Whisk to combine until all of the ingredients are well blended.
- In a separate bowl, combine onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine.
- Add spices to the mayo mixture. Combine together, and adjust the seasoning to taste.
- Store in an airtight jar overnight before using.
Notes and Tips
- The ingredients on the container are listed as soybean oil, water, high fructose corn syrup, horseradish sauce, distilled and cider vinegar, egg yolks, sugar, salt, spices, red bell pepper, notion, turmeric, paprika, and potassium sorbate.
- Turmeric gives your Bo Sauce a yellow hue, which is similar to what you will see in the restaurant version. It doesn't have a super stong taste, so you can feel free to omit this if desired. The main difference will be the color of the sauce!
Jaya says
It was so good and really had that Bojangles flavor, but I don't like horseradish and my sister found a better recipe but I don't know what it is.
Heather says
Hi Jaya! I’m so glad it had that Bojangles flavor you were looking for. Totally understandable about the horseradish — it’s definitely a love-it-or-leave-it ingredient. If you happen to remember what your sister used in the other recipe, I’d love to hear it! I’m always changing and tweaking things to make them better. Thanks so much for sharing your feedback!
Steve says
There was another recipe that I tried that called for pineapple juice... I think the sweet chili sauce is a nice alternative and closer to the real thing.
Heather says
Glad this worked for you, Steve!