Burger Sauce

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This burger sauce recipe turns a regular burger into something special. Whether you love a smashed burger, a patty melt, a double backyard cheeseburger or a burger bowl – it will all be made more delicious by this homemade burger sauce.

Burger sauce in a jar with spoon.

It’s only natural then that I would share this recipe for burger sauce with you. Big Mac sauce, Shake Shack sauce, In-N-Out sauce, Burger King zesty sauce… every burger chain seems to have its own secret recipe for a delicious burger sauce. And there is no shortage of copycat recipes out there.

But there are no secrets here – just an easy-to-make, ready to share, yummy homemade burger sauce recipe you can make quickly at home.

Most burger sauces are a combination of mayonnaise and ketchup with a unique blend of seasonings. Some call for lemon juice, prepared horseradish, or even soy sauce. Everyone’s version has its own special blend of flavorings. This one is no different. It gets a zing from garlic powder and a zap of tanginess from sweet pickle relish.

Maybe you consider this a copycat Burger King zesty sauce recipe or you want to call it your own special sauce. Either way, you’ll find this sauce adds flavor, zing, zest, and wow to burgers, patty melts, and is great to dip french fries in.

Once you have the base down – you can decide to adjust it until you find the perfect flavor combination. If you like it hotter, you can add some spicy relish or a dash or two of hot sauce. If you want more zing, throw in more pickles. It’s up to you!

If you are looking for other condiments to offer at your next backyard barbecue, I’d make up batches of this homemade burger sauce, my chicken nugget dipping sauce, apricot barbecue sauce, roasted garlic aioli, and jalapeno hot sauce. Your guests will be so impressed!

FAQs

Is Big Mac sauce the same as burger sauce?

Similar, but not the same. My Big Mac Sauce doesn’t use ketchup while this burger sauce does.

What is a good burger sauce made of?

Good burger sauce is a personal preference, but it is usually ketchup, mayonnaise, and extra flavor. Relish or pickles and garlic powder are the most common.

Close up of burger sauce in glass bowl with spoon.

Ingredients


This easy homemade burger sauce recipe really requires just a few ingredients. You’ll never use store-bought squeeze bottle sauce again!

Ingredients for burger sauce in glass bowls.
  • Mayonnaise – I am a Helmann’s girl!
  • Ketchup – Whichever one you prefer.
  • Sweet pickle relish – If you don’t have relish, you can also used chopped up sweet pickles.
  • Garlic powder – For a hint of garlic flavor.
  • Salt and pepper – To taste.

How to Make Burger Sauce

This sauce comes together in a few minutes, but it does need a couple of hours in the fridge to allow the flavors to blend. Don’t skip this step and serve it too soon – it won’t be quite as flavorful.

Be sure to check out the full recipe and ingredient list below

  1. In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise, ketchup, relish, and garlic powder. Stir until well mixed. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  2. Refrigerate for 2 hours to allow the flavors to meld before serving.
Burger sauce in glass bowl with spoon.

Substitutions


  • Sweet pickle relish – You can use chopped up sweet pickles, or even dill pickles, if you don’t have relish on hand.

Variations

This is a pretty straightforward sauce, so there aren’t many variations. However, you can tweak the flavor profile a bit if you would like.

  1. Spicy – Use hot pepper relish or a few dashes of hot sauce to give heat to the sauce.
  2. Smoky – Blend up a can of chipotle peppers and add a teaspoon or so (to taste) to the sauce, for a smoky, southwestern flavored sauce.
Burger with burger sauce dripping out.


Storage

This sauce can be kept in a airtight container in the fridge for up to two weeks. It is not suitable for freezing.

Tips

  • Invest in a package of mason jars – you can buy them here on Amazon. They make for great storage for condiments, and look adorable when all presented together on a single tray.

Burger Sauce

4.34 from 3 votes
Burger with burger sauce dripping out.
Elevate your burgers with a generous spread of this delicious Burger Sauce. It's equally tasty for dipping fries or as a salad dressing.
Sauce Fanatic
Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Serving Size 6

Ingredients

  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • 3 tablespoons ketchup
  • 1 tablespoon sweet pickle relish
  • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  • In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise, ketchup, relish, and garlic powder. Stir until well mixed. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  • Refrigerate for 2 hours to allow the flavors to meld before serving.

Notes

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
Makes about ¾ cup.

Nutrition

Serving: 2tablespoons | Calories: 138kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 0.3g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 8g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.03g | Cholesterol: 8mg | Sodium: 207mg | Potassium: 27mg | Fiber: 0.1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 81IU | Vitamin C: 0.3mg | Calcium: 3mg | Iron: 0.1mg

The nutrition information provided is for convenience and as a courtesy only. It is not guaranteed to be accurate because nutrition information can vary for a variety of reasons. For precise nutritional data use your preferred nutrition calculator and input the exact ingredients and brands you used in the recipe.

CourseCondiments
CuisineAmerican

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