Red Robin Campfire Sauce Recipe: How I Finally Nailed the Copycat After 8 Attempts

I’ll be honest, I’ve been trying to recreate Red Robin’s Campfire Sauce Recipe at home for almost two years now. Not because I’m some recipe developer or food blogger. I just got tired of ordering extra containers to-go every time I went there, and I wanted to figure out if I could make it myself without it tasting like every other “chipotle mayo” recipe on the internet.

After burning through way too much mayonnaise and annoying my sister with endless taste tests, I finally got it right. And the secret wasn’t some mystery ingredient it was getting the ratios correct and understanding what makes Red Robin’s version different from generic smoky mayo.

This is everything I learned, including the mistakes I made so you don’t have to.

What Is Red Robin Campfire Sauce? (And Why It’s Not Just Chipotle Mayo)

Red Robin’s Campfire Sauce is their signature smoky, creamy burger sauce. It shows up on their Whiskey River BBQ Burger and a few other red robin menu items, but most people discover it when they try it with fries and realize it’s way better than ketchup.

Here’s what makes it different from regular chipotle mayo: it has BBQ sauce in it. That’s the thing most copycat recipes miss. It’s not just mayo and chipotle peppers. The BBQ sauce adds a subtle sweetness and tang that keeps it from being one-dimensional.

What Does Red Robin Campfire Sauce Taste Like?

When I first tried to describe it to my sister, I said “smoky ranch,” and she looked at me like I was insane. After actually paying attention while eating it, here’s what I noticed:

• First taste: Smoke, but not harsh more like a whisper of campfire than liquid smoke
• Mid-palate: Creamy and slightly tangy, like a good burger sauce
• Finish: A hint of sweetness that’s not cloying

The balance is what hooked me. It doesn’t scream “BBQ sauce!” or “chipotle!” at you. Everything just works together.

What Burgers Come With Campfire Sauce at Red Robin?

At the restaurant, you’ll find Campfire Sauce on:

• Whiskey River BBQ Burger (this is where most people try it first)
• Royal Red Robin Burger (sometimes I’ve had to ask for it)
• As a fry dipping sauce (just ask for it on the side)

You can also request it on pretty much any burger or sandwich. The servers are used to it.

What Is in Campfire Sauce at Red Robin?

Red Robin doesn’t publish their exact recipe, but after comparing the ingredient list on their nutrition PDF with what I tasted, here’s what’s in it:

• Mayonnaise (the base this is most of it)
• BBQ sauce (this is the key difference from plain chipotle mayo)
• Chipotle peppers in adobo (for smoke and mild heat)
• Spices like garlic powder and paprika

That’s it. No fancy ingredients, no secret component. The restaurant version probably has some stabilizers and preservatives, but for home cooking, you don’t need them.

Red Robin Campfire Sauce Recipe (The Version That Actually Worked for Me)

Alright, here’s the recipe I landed on after multiple failed attempts. This makes about 1¼ cups, which is enough for 8–10 burgers or a lot of fries.

Ingredients for Red Robin Campfire Sauce

• 1 cup mayonnaise (I use Hellmann’s/Best Foods Duke’s works too)
• ¼ cup BBQ sauce (more on this below)
• 1½ tablespoons chipotle peppers in adobo, finely minced (plus about 1 teaspoon of the adobo sauce itself)
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon smoked paprika (regular paprika works if you don’t have it)
• Tiny pinch of cayenne (optional I skip it)

How to Make Red Robin Campfire Sauce: Step-by-Step

Here’s exactly what I do:

1. Mix the base Put the mayo and BBQ sauce in a bowl. Stir until it’s completely smooth and uniform in color. If you see streaks, keep stirring.
2. Prep the chipotle peppers Take the chipotle peppers out of the can and mince them as finely as you can. I use a knife, not a blender you want tiny pieces, not a paste. Add the minced peppers plus about a teaspoon of the adobo sauce from the can.
3. Add the spices Stir in the garlic powder and smoked paprika. If you want a bit more heat, add a small pinch of cayenne here.
4. Mix thoroughly Keep stirring until everything is completely blended. The sauce should be a uniform peachy-tan color with little flecks of red from the chipotle.
5. Refrigerate before serving This is the step I skipped the first three times I made this, and it’s actually important. Cover the bowl and put it in the fridge for at least 30 minutes. Overnight is better.

Why the Resting Time Actually Matters

I thought this was BS at first, but it’s real. When you let the sauce sit in the fridge:

• The chipotle flavor mellows out and spreads evenly
• The smokiness becomes less “in your face”
• The texture thickens slightly
• Everything just tastes more blended

The batch I made and ate immediately tasted like separate ingredients. The one I made the night before tasted like Red Robin’s.

Equipment You Actually Need

• Mixing bowl (any size)
• Spoon or small whisk
• Knife and cutting board (for the chipotles)
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Airtight container for storage

No blender, no food processor. This is a 5-minute recipe if you don’t count the fridge time.

How Do You Make Red Robin Campfire Sauce Taste Like the Restaurant Version?

This is where I screwed up multiple times before figuring it out.

The BBQ Sauce You Use Changes Everything

This was my biggest mistake early on. I used a smoky BBQ sauce (because I thought “more smoke = better”), and it completely overpowered everything. The sauce tasted like BBQ sauce with mayo, not Campfire Sauce.

What works:

• Sweet Baby Ray’s Original This is the closest I’ve found to whatever Red Robin uses. It’s sweet but not cloying, and the flavor is mild enough that it doesn’t take over.
• Stubb’s Original Less sweet, more tangy. Works well if you don’t want as much sweetness.

What doesn’t work:

• Smoky or mesquite BBQ sauce (way too strong)
• Super vinegary Carolina-style sauce (throws off the balance)
• Anything with liquid smoke already in it

Don’t Overdo the Chipotle

My second batch was inedible because I went overboard with the chipotle peppers. I thought “more = smokier,” but I was wrong. Too much chipotle makes it spicy and harsh, not smoky and balanced.

Start with 1 tablespoon if you’re nervous. You can always add more, but you can’t take it out.

The Mayo-to-BBQ Ratio Is Critical

The ratio should be about 4:1 (mayo to BBQ sauce). That’s 1 cup mayo to ¼ cup BBQ.

When I used more BBQ sauce, it tasted like BBQ mayo sweet and sticky. When I used less, it was just bland chipotle mayo.

Recipe for Red Robin Campfire Sauce: Ingredient Substitutions

If you’re missing something or want to tweak it, here’s what works.

What Can I Use Instead of Chipotle Peppers in Adobo?

If you don’t have a can of chipotle peppers (or you opened one six months ago and it’s now moldy in the back of your fridge), here are alternatives:

• Chipotle powder: Use 1 teaspoon. You’ll lose some depth, but it works.
• Smoked paprika + cayenne: Use 1 teaspoon smoked paprika and a pinch of cayenne. This gets you smoke and heat, but not the exact chipotle flavor.
• Liquid smoke (use carefully): 3–4 drops max, plus a pinch of cayenne. Easy to overdo.

The canned chipotle peppers are worth buying, though. One can costs like $2 and lasts for months in the fridge.

Can You Make Campfire Sauce Without Adobo Sauce?

Yes, but the adobo sauce (the red liquid the peppers sit in) adds a lot of flavor. If you don’t want to use it:

• Use a tiny splash of hot sauce (like Cholula)
• Or add a drop of vinegar and a pinch of sugar

It’s not the same, but it’s close enough.

How to Make Vegan Red Robin Campfire Sauce

Swap the mayo for vegan mayo (Just Mayo or Vegenaise both work great). Most BBQ sauces are already vegan just check the label.

I made a vegan batch for my sister-in-law, and honestly, I couldn’t tell the difference.

Lower-Calorie Campfire Sauce Options

If you want to cut calories, here’s what I’ve tried:

• Light mayo: Works perfectly. Tastes almost identical, just slightly less rich.
• Half mayo, half Greek yogurt: This works, but it makes the sauce tangier. Not bad, just different.
• All Greek yogurt: Too tangy for my taste. Doesn’t taste like Red Robin’s version.

Light mayo is the move if you want fewer calories without changing the flavor.

What to Use Red Robin Campfire Sauce On (Beyond Burgers)

This sauce is way more versatile than I expected.

Best Burgers for Campfire Sauce

It works on pretty much any burger, but it’s especially good on:

• Beef burgers (obviously)
• Turkey burgers (the smoke adds depth)
• Veggie or plant-based burgers (gives them that “grilled” flavor they often lack)

I’ve also used it on chicken sandwiches, and it’s perfect.

Campfire Sauce as a Fry Dipping Sauce

This is where I use it most often:

• Steak fries (the thick-cut kind)
• Sweet potato fries (the sweetness complements the smoke)
• Onion rings (better than ranch, fight me)

It’s richer than ketchup but not as heavy as ranch or mayo.

Other Uses I’ve Found for Campfire Sauce

• Grilled chicken wraps
• Sandwich spread (especially for turkey or roast beef)
• Dipping sauce for chicken tenders
• Topping for baked potatoes (weird but good)

My sister puts it on scrambled eggs. I think that’s insane, but she swears by it.

How to Make Red Robin’s Campfire Sauce: Common Mistakes I Made

Here’s what went wrong in my failed attempts:

Mistake #1: Using Too Much BBQ Sauce

My first batch used ½ cup BBQ sauce instead of ¼ cup. It was way too sweet and sticky. Tasted like BBQ sauce with a hint of mayo, not the other way around.

Fix: Stick to ¼ cup. If you want it sweeter, add a teaspoon at a time.

Mistake #2: Skipping the Refrigeration

I made a batch, tasted it immediately, and thought “this tastes nothing like Red Robin’s.” Then I tried the leftovers the next day and realized I’d been wrong.

Fix: Always let it rest. 30 minutes minimum, overnight is ideal.

Mistake #3: Not Mincing the Chipotle Finely Enough

When I left the chipotle in big chunks, I’d get random bites that were way too spicy. Mincing it finely spreads the flavor evenly.

Fix: Chop it as finely as you can. Small pieces are key.

Is Red Robin Campfire Sauce Spicy?

Not really. It has heat, but it’s mild more smoky than spicy.

On a scale of 1–10, I’d call it a 3. Maybe a 4 if you use the full 2 tablespoons of chipotle.

If you want it spicier, add more chipotle or a pinch of cayenne. If you want it milder, use just 1 tablespoon of chipotle and skip the adobo sauce.

How Long Does Homemade Campfire Sauce Last?

I store mine in a mason jar or airtight container in the fridge. It lasts about 7–10 days.

If you used Greek yogurt instead of mayo, it’ll last closer to 5–7 days.

Signs Your Campfire Sauce Has Gone Bad

Toss it if you notice:

• Sour or “off” smell
• Visible mold (usually on the edges)
• Excessive separation that won’t remix

I’ve never had a batch go bad before I used it all, but it can happen if you leave it too long.

Can You Freeze Campfire Sauce?

Don’t. Mayo-based sauces don’t freeze well the texture breaks and gets watery when you thaw them.

Just make smaller batches if you’re worried about waste.

Red Robin Campfire Sauce vs. Store-Bought Alternatives

I tried a bunch of store-bought “chipotle mayo” sauces to see if any came close. None were perfect, but some were decent.

Closest Store-Bought Sauce to Red Robin Campfire

• Ken’s Steakhouse Chipotle Mayo Pretty close, but sweeter and less smoky. Still good if you’re in a pinch.
• Kraft Chipotle Aioli Similar vibe, but tangier and thinner.

Neither tastes exactly like Red Robin’s, but they’re in the ballpark.

Cost Comparison: Homemade vs. Store-Bought

• Homemade batch: About $3 (and you probably already have most of the ingredients)
• Store-bought chipotle mayo: $4–6 per bottle

Homemade is cheaper, and you get to control the flavor.

Taste Difference: Homemade vs. Restaurant

My homemade version is very close to Red Robin’s. There’s probably some proprietary spice blend they use that I can’t replicate perfectly, but the difference is subtle.

My sister did a blind taste test (I made her close her eyes and try both), and she said they were “basically the same, maybe slightly different.”

Good enough for me.

Red Robin Campfire Sauce Nutrition & Calories

It’s a mayo-based sauce, so it’s not a health food. But it’s also not terrible if you use it reasonably.

How Many Calories in Red Robin Campfire Sauce?

About 100–120 calories per 2 tablespoons. That’s similar to what you’d get at the restaurant.

Macros (Per 2 Tablespoon Serving)

• Fat: ~11g (mostly from the mayo)
• Carbs: ~3g (from the BBQ sauce)
• Protein: ~0g

Most of the calories come from fat, which makes sense given it’s mostly mayo.

Lower-Calorie Campfire Sauce Modifications

If you want to cut calories:

• Use light mayo (cuts calories nearly in half)
• Reduce the BBQ sauce to 2–3 tablespoons
• Replace half the mayo with Greek yogurt

I’ve done the light mayo version, and honestly, it tastes almost the same.

Red Robin Sauces: Other Popular Recipes

Campfire Sauce isn’t the only Red Robin sauce people ask me about. Here are a couple others I’ve tried recreating:

Red Robin Buzz Sauce Recipe

Buzz Sauce is their sweet-and-spicy honey mustard. It’s got honey, yellow mustard, and cayenne. I haven’t perfected it yet, but it’s on my list.

Red Robin Teriyaki Sauce Recipe

Their teriyaki is sweeter and fruitier than regular teriyaki. I think it has pineapple juice in it, but I’m still working on the ratios.

Red Robin Ranch Recipe

I’ve heard their ranch is thicker and garlickier than Hidden Valley, but I haven’t tried making it myself yet.

Campfire Sauce Red Robin Recipe: Frequently Asked Questions

What is Red Robin campfire sauce made of?

Red Robin’s Campfire Sauce contains mayonnaise, BBQ sauce, chipotle peppers in adobo, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and a touch of cayenne.

How do you make Red Robin campfire sauce?

Mix 1 cup mayo with ¼ cup BBQ sauce, add 1½ tablespoons minced chipotle peppers (plus a bit of adobo sauce), stir in garlic powder and smoked paprika, then refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving.

What does Red Robin campfire sauce taste like?

It’s smoky, creamy, tangy, and slightly sweet. Think chipotle mayo meets BBQ sauce, but balanced so neither flavor dominates.

Can you buy Red Robin campfire sauce?

No, Red Robin doesn’t sell their Campfire Sauce in stores. You can ask for extra containers at the restaurant or make it at home using a copycat recipe.

Is Red Robin’s campfire sauce the same as chipotle mayo?

Not exactly. Campfire Sauce has BBQ sauce in it, which gives it a subtle sweetness that regular chipotle mayo doesn’t have.

What is the best BBQ sauce for campfire sauce recipe?

Sweet Baby Ray’s Original is the closest match I’ve found. Stubb’s Original also works if you want less sweetness.

About This Recipe

I developed this recipe over about eight attempts, mostly through trial and error. I compared each batch to the sauce from Red Robin (I’d get a side container every time I went there) and adjusted until I got it as close as I could.

This isn’t Red Robin’s exact proprietary recipe I don’t work for them, and they don’t publish it. But after making this a dozen times and serving it to friends and family, I’m confident it’s close enough that most people wouldn’t be able to tell the difference.

If you try it and think I’m off on something, let me know. I’m always tweaking.

Last updated: February 2026
Next planned update: When I figure out how to make it even closer, or when Red Robin changes their recipe