The Best Burger Sauce is tangy and delicious while using simple ingredients, and this one certainly won’t disappoint! Put it on your hamburgers for the full restaurant experience.
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Where Did Sauce Come From?
While this sauce can be found in lots of places around the world, one claimed origin is Provo, Utah’s Arctic Circle restaurant in the 1950s.
Supposedly, the sauce was invented when two teenagers, Max Peay and Ron S. Taylor, mixed mayo and ketchup together for fun. The origins of the sauce are disputed, but it has nonetheless become a symbol of Utah’s culinary identity.
Why This Homemade Condiment Recipe is a Keeper
You’re going to love this burger sauce, which tastes just like the one at In-N-Out and other burger joints. This sweet and tangy special sauce is even better than store-bought and goes great with everything from chicken tenders to beef burger patties. Here are some reasons why we think this is the best recipe:
- 5 Minute Condiment: Just mix and let rest so the flavors can meld together.
- Easy Ingredients: There’s a chance you already can find all the ingredients you need sitting in your refrigerator and pantry.
- Adaptable: Make this burger sauce spicier or creamier to your own tastes.
If you’re looking for more sauce recipes, try these: Campfire Sauce, Bourbon Glaze, and Boom Boom Sauce.
How Long Will this Smash Burger Sauce Recipe Last?
This special sauce will last in the fridge up to a week in an airtight container.
Ingredient Notes for Hamburger Sauce
- Hellmann’s Mayonnaise: Try using whole egg mayonnaise for a smoother creamy burger sauce. Hellmans is our favorite brand. Use full fat mayo for the best richest flavor.
- Ketchup: You can use Heinz ketchup to make this recipe.
- American Mustard: A nice quality yellow mustard. Dijon mustard will work as well.
- Garlic: You can also use grated or teaspoon garlic powder.
- Pickle Juice: Use dill pickle, bread and butter pickle, or sweet pickle juice to add a tang to your burger sauce.
See the recipe card below for a complete list of the ingredients with measurements.
Variations and Substitutions for Special Dipping Sauce
- Different Mustards: Use spicy or sweet mustard; any variety works.
- Pickle Juice: Try a pickle relish in place of regular pickles.
How to Make Homemade Burger Sauce
This Big Mac sauce only takes minutes to make and is our favorite sauce for burger night. It’s a great dipping sauce that’ll up your burger game. If you’re having burgers tonight, you won’t want to miss this top secret sauce that’s creamy and rich.
These are the basic steps for making the best burger sauce. Refer to the full, printable recipe card below for detailed instructions. We love reader Interactions, please leave a comment below.
Step 1: Combine
First, add all the ingredients- ketchup and mustard, paprika, mayonnaise, onion powder and garlic- to one small bowl and whisk to combine. Add salt and pepper to taste.
Step 2: Refrigerate the Special Burger Sauce
Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least one hour or place in an airtight container. Slather this classic burger sauce on your burger buns and burger and enjoy. Use immediately or refrigerate.
Burger Sauce Frequently Asked Questions
Expert Tips for Making this Recipe for the Best Burger Sauce
It’s the best burger sauce but you can always make burgers better by adding your own spin on this classic recipe.
- This Recipe Can be Doubled: A great recipe for a crowd. Simply increase the ingredients proportionately and use for your party.
- Add Hot Sauce: A dash of hot sauce is always good to add a little zing.
- Variation tip: Try it on top of meatloaf or eggs.
- Alternate ingredient: Pickle relish can be used in place of pickle juice if you prefer a chunky sauce. You can also add a tablespoon of chipotle mayo to give this sauce a bit of spice.
- Bacon: Bacon bits add amazing flavor and texture to the sauce. Top with lettuce and tomato, or your other favorite toppings.
Best Burger Sauce
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Ingredients
- ¼ cup Mayonnaise
- 1 ½ teaspoon Pickle juice, spicy
- 1 ½ teaspoon Ketchup
- 1 teaspoon Yellow mustard
- ¼ teaspoon Paprika
- 1 clove Garlic, grated
- 1 teaspoon Onion, grated
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a small bowl and stir to combine.
- Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least one hour.
Christina’s Notes
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- Chill the Sauce: Refrigerating before serving improves flavor and texture.
- Use Full-Fat Mayo: Creates the richest and creamiest consistency.
- Balance Carefully: Taste after mixing so the tangy and sweet flavors stay balanced.
- Double the Batch: This sauce works well for meal prep and leftovers.
- Serve Cold: Chilled sauce tastes fresher and holds its texture better.
- Scale the recipe: Simply adjust the serving size in the recipe card and the ingredients will update automatically.
- Make your own All Purpose Seasoning: When a recipe calls for All Purpose Seasoning, you can use my homemade All Purpose Seasoning recipe or substitute salt and pepper to taste.
- Meat doneness: I always use a meat thermometer to test for doneness when cooking meat.
- Use unsalted butter: I use unsalted butter so I can control the salt level in the recipe.
- Preheat the oven: Unless otherwise noted, always preheat your oven before baking.
For more helpful information about this recipe, such as variations, substitutions and other pro-tips, check out the blog post.
Hi, we don’t get the kind of pickles ,used in your recipes in our area. Please share the homemade pickle recipe too.TIA
Hi , I am Raju Thapa , i always seen your recipe i am big fan of you , I am Chef as profession , your burger recipe its very nice and delicious , I have one Question For You …?? I need one Burger Sauce Recipe , its very different and amazing if Possible Pleases sent me my email . Thank you
Here’s the link to the burger sauce you’re looking for: https://www.itisakeeper.com/19599/best-burger-sauce/
Enjoy!
I would love for u to share ur recipes to me and I can give u some of what I do to.
It’s Great.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
Burgerville extra spread,I just mix in a 1/4 cup mayonnaise and 2 tblsp s of mustard and finely chopped sweet pickle relish and drain the juice off of it and mix.keep refrigerated up to two weeks.(for people that can’t have spicy stuff.
This sounds like an amazing recipe too! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Great sauce recipe I tried the exact except for the prepared yellow mustard I used a Dijon mustard for a little more kick to each his or her own
Great idea! Thanks for sharing!
What is spices pickle juice
It’s “spicy pickle juice”. Juice from spicy pickles. You don’t want to use the juice from sweet pickles – like bread and butter or gherkins. You can use dill pickle juice or your favorite spicy variety.
You weren’t overselling when you called this the “best” burger sauce. I love having my own secret sauce for our homemade burgers. The right condiment makes such a big difference!
Great sauce! I loved the spicy pickle juice, it gave just the right amount of zing to my burger.
Mmmmm… This burger sauce recipe is so flavorful! I made it this evening as a dipping sauce for my oven-baked fries. It was a huge hit with my husband and our friends who were visiting from out of town. This recipe is a definite keeper!
Thanks for recipe. It’s nice when reviewers don’t make suggestions or change recipe.????
you’re very welcome!
I am not all about the spice, but my husband and 2 kids are. Substituting sweet pickle juice for the spicy pickle juice is actually a super yummy change to this fabulous recipe!
What a great suggestion! Thanks for sharing!
Love that your recipe is up top!!! 100x’s big thank you! Going try this on a veggie burger.
Hi thanks for the recipe.
Can I use lemon juice with cayenne instead of pickle juice.
You could definitely give it a try!
I love the recipe up front. Thank you! Can’t wait to try this.
I’m glad you like the format 🙂
Just made this. Delicious! Did not have spicy pickle juice, but did have a jar of pepperoncini, so usd that juice. Turned out great. I, too, appreciate getting the recipe up front without having to scroll through pictures and commentary. I often will not decide on a recipe until I have read it. Look forward to your future postings.
This looks and sounds so delicious! I must try! Thanks for posting!
I love how you have the recipe at the top, so I don’t need to scroll forever!!!!
I’m glad you find that convenient! Thanks for the feedback!
From what sort of pickles do you get the spicy juice?
Vlasic makes spicy dill pickles – http://amzn.to/2rGNf3h (affiliate)
How long will this keep if I refrigerate it?
I’ve had it about 2 weeks in my fridge.