This secret burger sauce takes a handful of very normal ingredients and turns them into something that makes dinner taste a lot more deliberate. It is creamy, tangy, sweet, a little smoky, and the kind of sauce that instantly makes burgers, fries, sandwiches, and wraps feel less homemade in the best possible way.
- Use it on anything – Yes, it is great on burgers, but it also works as a dipping sauce, sandwich spread, wrap sauce, and fry sauce, which makes it worth keeping around.
- Upgrade your burger – This sauce makes a basic burger taste like a burger someone actually thought about.
- Uses basic ingredients – This recipe takes basic ingredients that most people have on hand already and turns them into an out-of-this-world condiment.
Ingredients for Secret Burger Sauce
A full list of ingredients with measurements for this recipe is available in the printable recipe card below.
- Mayonnaise – This is the rich, creamy base and what gives the sauce its smooth texture.
You can use store bought or try making your own mayonnaise. - Ketchup – Ketchup adds sweetness, acidity, and that classic burger-joint flavor note. Same here, use store bought or try making homemade ketchup.
- Yellow mustard – Yellow mustard gives the sauce bite and keeps it from feeling too flat or sweet.
- Sweet pickle relish – Relish gives little pops of texture and that familiar sweet-tangy “special sauce” flavor.
- Dill pickle juice – Pickle juice sharpens the whole sauce and helps make it taste less heavy.
- Worcestershire sauce – Impossible to pronounce, but delicious to add to this sauce. It adds depth and a subtle savory note.
- White vinegar – This reinforces the tang of the sauce while also making the flavor brighter. You can swap for another type of vinegar if you’d like.
- Seasonings – I use a blend of paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, ground black pepper and sugar to round out the flavors.
How to Make Secret Burger Sauce
Making this sauce is as easy as combining the ingredients and allowing them to chill!
- Combine all ingredients. In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, ketchup, yellow mustard, relish, pickle juice, Worcestershire sauce, white vinegar, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, ground black pepper and sugar.
- Chill. Cover and chill for at least 30 minutes to let flavors marry.
Ways to Use Secret Burger Sauce
As previously stated, this sauce can be used on so much more than just burgers! Here are some ideas.
- Cheeseburgers
- Smash burgers
- Chicken sandwiches
- Wraps
- Deli sandwiches
- Fries
- Onion rings
- Burger bowls
- Grilled chicken
- Hot dogs
Chef Tips
I’ve tested this secret burger sauce in my test kitchen several times to be able to bring you these tips and tricks!
- Don’t skip the chill – This is one of the biggest flavor upgrades in the recipe. A short chill helps all the ingredients blend together instead of tasting separate and sharp.
- Taste before serving on food – If you want it tangier, add a little more pickle juice. If you want it sweeter, add a tiny bit more sugar. Small adjustments go a long way here.
- Use it as a spread, not just a drizzle – This sauce is thick enough to work really well on burger buns, sandwich bread, and wraps.
- Don’t skip the Worcestershire – It’s only a teaspoon, but it gives the sauce more savory depth and makes it taste less one-dimensional.
Storage and Freezing
Storage: Store secret burger sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Stir before using if it has been sitting for a day or two.
Freezing: I would not recommend freezing it. Mayo-based sauces do not usually thaw back with the same texture.
FAQs
Secret burger sauce is usually made with mayonnaise and a combination of ketchup, mustard, relish, pickle juice, vinegar, and spices. This version also uses Worcestershire sauce for more depth.
They are very similar. “Burger sauce” and “special sauce” are often used interchangeably for creamy, tangy burger condiments.
The ingredients have time to settle and blend together, which makes the flavor smoother and more balanced.
It is great on fries, chicken sandwiches, wraps, deli sandwiches, onion rings, and more.
More Savory Sauce Recipes
Whether you dip, slather or spoon, these sauce recipes are sure to be winners.
Secret Burger Sauce Recipe
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
- 1 tablespoon sweet pickle relish
- 2 teaspoons dill pickle juice
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon white vinegar
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon sugar
Instructions
- In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons ketchup, 1 tablespoon yellow mustard, 1 tablespoon sweet pickle relish, 2 teaspoons dill pickle juice, 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce, 1 teaspoon white vinegar, 1 teaspoon paprika , 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon onion powder, 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper ,1 teaspoon sugar.
- Cover and chill for at least 30 minutes to let flavors marry.
- If you've tried this recipe, come back and let us know how it was in the comments or star ratings.
Notes
Nutrition
