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What Is Southwest Sauce?

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Have you heard about, or recently discovered Southwest sauce? Chances are you were ordering at Subway, but perhaps you were browsing the condiment aisle t the grocery store. Either way, you want to know what it is, right? What it is made of and what does it taste like? Well, here is all you are going to want to know.

So, what is Southwest sauce? Southwest sauce is a creamy, sweet, tangy, and peppery condiment based on mayonnaise and designed to be used in sandwiches. It was made popular by sandwich chain Subway, which offers a ‘Chipotle Southwest Sauce’ on their menu.

Subway has, without doubt, been one of the primary reasons why this sauce has become so popular.

But it is a style of sauce, after all.

So let us continue to explore it; what it is typically made of, and how it can differ before turning to what to expect in terms of taste!

What Is Southwest Sauce Made Of?

Southwest sauce is typically made from a base of mayonnaise, vinegar, sugar/honey, paprika, and various herbs and spices (such as red pepper and onion powder). Although, the exact ingredients can vary from recipe to recipe, or brand to brand.

Many people have attempted to make this sauce at home – often basing the Subway Chipotle Subway sauce as their inspiration.

Let us now look at your typical at-home recipe before turning to some branded products to see the difference.

Homemade Southwest Recipe

  • Ranch dressing
  • Mayo
  • Chipotle peppers
  • Vinegar (White distilled typically)
  • Sugar
  • Onion powder
  • Garlic powder
  • Mustard,
  • Italian Herbs
  • Cilantro

Sometimes you’ll see recipes with lime juice, specific peppers (often adobo), and even sour cream/greek yogurt too.

Subway Chipotle Southwest Ingredients

The exact ingredients of Subway Chipotle Southwest sauce are a company secret.

They arrive in the store pre-made, so many employees are not even sure what goes into it exactly.

We do know though from the “Allergen Information” provided by the company that it does contain eggs and mustard.

Aside from that, judging by the nutritional information (quite high in fat) and flavor, we can safely assume it is made from a base of mayonnaise.

I did manage to find a list of ingredients for this sauce online but have not been able to confirm if it is legitimate, so take this with a pinch of salt:

Soybean oil, water, cultured low-fat buttermilk, chipotle pepper sauce concentrate (chipotle pepper puree, water, distilled vinegar, sugar, salt, onion powder), egg yolks, sugar, salt, contains less then 2% of: guajillo pepper, natural flavors, paprika, spices, dehydrated garlic, xantham gum, lime juice concentrate, lactic acid, dehydrated onion, sodium benzoate and potassium sorbate (as preservatives). natural smoke flavor, dehydrated parsley, corn maltodextrin, citric acid, calcium disodium EDTA (added to protect flavor), potato dextrin. Contains: milk, egg

Branded Recipes

Beano’s Sandwich Southwest Sauce Ingredients

Soybean Oil, Tomato Concentrate (Water and Tomato Paste), Egg Yolks, Distilled Vinegar, Water, Honey, Lemon Juice, High Fructose Corn Syrup, Corn Syrup, Onion Salt, Paprika, Spices, Black Pepper, Red Pepper, Natural Flavors, Sodium Benzoate and Potassium Sorbate (as preservatives), and Calcium Disodium EDTA added to protect flavor. Contains: Egg

Beano's Southwest Sandwich Sauce, 12/8 Ounce Bottles
  • Turn all of your sandwiches into a fiesta with Beano's Authentic Southwest Sandwich Sauce
  • This thick, creamy sauce is infused with peppers, paprika and southwest seasonings
  • The perfect condiment for wraps, sandwiches, quesadillas and fajitas

So, as you can see from the product above, while there is some variance between sauces, the general consensus is that this is a mayo-based sauce with specific herbs and spices – namely paprika, pepper, onion and garlic.

What Does Southwest Sauce Taste Like?

Southwest Sauce is creamy, smooth, sweet, zesty a little herby, and has a subtle hint of spice.

Quite the flavor profile, hey?

And while there is spice in this sauce, it’s not considered hot. Instead, it’s more of a hint and is not too overpowering.

What To Eat Southwest Sauce With?

Southwest Sauce was created as a spread for sandwiches and/or wraps. All sandwich fillings tend to work quite well with this sauce, especially with those that pair well with mayonnaise (such as chicken).

Some of my favorite sandwich pairing for Southwest sauce include:

  • Turkey Breast
  • Chicken and Bacon,
  • Bacon & Ham
  • Crispy Chicken
  • Italian B.M.T
  • Spicy Crispy Chicken

However, this sauce is very versatile and there is no reason you couldn’t use it more experimentally too.

A dip for chips, fries, pizza, nuggets, mozzarella sticks, or even as a burger sauce!

At the same time, it’s one of those condiments you could use more generally, on the side of your plate when consuming a meal.

It even pairs quite nicely with some vegetables, like broccoli and cauliflower too.

Finally

All in all, Southwest Sauce is a creamy mayo-based sauce with a punch.

Not a spicy punch (although it is there to some extent).

Instead, this is mayo with a lot of flavor.

So give it a try.

Either by making some at home yourself, buying a branded version, or simply ordering it down at Subway!


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