You guys are going to LOVE this Burger Sauce! It’s an easy and tasty condiment recipe made from ordinary ingredients that is fabulous on burgers, wraps, sandwiches and even French fries. Skip the ketchup and mustard combo because this is the only “special sauce” you’ll ever need to up your homemade burger game!

burger sauce for stuffed burgers

I made this burger sauce last night and the only thing I did wrong was that I did not put enough on the bun!!! It was delicious!!! Next time I may just dip my burger in the sauce. Well done!!!!

— Mary

My creamy pasta sauce and chipotle ranch recipes have been such a hit with all of you that I thought a good burger sauce was in order!

You may be familiar with McDonald’s Big Mac Sauce (which is similar to Thousand Island dressing), In-N-Out Burger Spread, and many other restaurants offer their variation of the popular condiment as well. You can even find hamburger sauce in bottles at the grocery store. I know Heinz and Hellmann’s each have a product.

Trust me, though, this special sauce recipe is the BEST for burgers and so much more! It’s super easy to make, inexpensive, and tastes incredibly delicious too!

Why you’ll love this recipe

  • So flavorful. It’s savory, slightly sweet, a little smoky and perfectly tangy bite. You’re going to be obsessed!
  • Quick & easy to make. This is incredibly easy to whip up, and there’s a good chance you already have all of the ingredients you need sitting in your refrigerator and pantry. Only five key ingredients, one small bowl and a whisk is all you need to get this ready. In just 5 minutes, you’ll have an amazingly tasty condiment ready to be enjoyed!
  • Great for many things. Not only does this make the best burgers, but it’s a great dipping sauce for wings, a fry dip, onion rings, chicken tenders, and more. The options are truly endless!
bacon cheese stuffed burgers dripping with burger sauce and served with French fries

Ingredients needed

Every restaurant has their own top secret recipe, but the basic ingredients of a good burger sauce don’t vary too much. Here’s what you’ll need:

  • Mayo. We recommend using whole egg mayonnaise for a smoother, more rounded taste. Hellmans is our favorite brand. Use full fat mayo for the best, most richest flavor.
  • Ketchup. Adds a subtle vinegar flavor and slight sweetness to the sauce.
  • Sweet pickle juice. Our secret ingredient! Gives this sauce a tang balanced with sweetness.
  • Spices & seasonings. Using the perfect blend of garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt and pepper to give this sauce so much flavor. If you like spice, stir in a dash of cayenne pepper.

How to make this recipe

This recipe could not be easier! There’s not much to it other than stirring several simple ingredients together. Here’s the simple process:

See the recipe card for the full, printable recipe.

  1. Add mayonnaise, ketchup, sweet pickle juice, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper to a small bowl.
  2. Stir the ingredients together until fully combined.
  3. Cover and store in the fridge. I like to let the sauce sit in the fridge for 1 to 2 hours for the best flavor. It can be stored up to about 2 weeks.
  4. Serve on burgers, sandwiches, wraps and use it as a dip for French fries. Yum!

Flavor variations

Want to change it up? This recipe is very easy to customize! Here’s some options:

  • Pickle juice. I prefer the sweetness of the sweet pickle juice. It complements the zing of the ketchup, but if you prefer the tang of dill pickle juice, that will work just as well. You can also sub the pickle juice for about 1-2 tablespoons sweet or dill pickle relish, if you prefer a little crunchiness.
  • Mustard. Some burger sauce recipes use about 1 tablespoon mustard. I personally don’t feel that it’s needed, but feel free to experiment. You can try adding regular or Dijon mustard to the recipe.
  • Paprika. I love the smoky flavor that smoked paprika provides. However, if you only have regular paprika, that will work too. If you like your sauce with a kick of heat, add 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon of ground cayenne pepper.

Frequently asked questions

What is burger sauce made from?

Burger Sauce is usually a creamy spread made with a combination of ketchup and mayonnaise with additional mix-ins that make it unique and give it extra flavor. Many times you’ll hear it referred to as special, house, or secret sauce. Every recipe is a bit different, but in this specific recipe all you need is mayo, ketchup, sweet pickle juice and some spices. So simple!

What is Big Mac sauce made of?

This sauce is very similar. Big Mac sauce is creamy-like mayonnaise, with a subtle, sweet tang. Most people think it’s made with Thousand Island dressing, but it actually contains French dressing for a tangier flavor.

Which sauce is used in Burger King’s burger?

Burger King’s proprietary sauce is the Zesty sauce. It is a combination of buffalo sauce, honey mustard, and barbecue.

Serving recommendations

Pro tip: I highly recommend making this sauce in advance, so the flavor can really build!

Fire up the grill! You’re definitely going to want to slather this sauce all over my bacon cheese stuffed burgers, pictured in this post. It’s also such a great addition to my juicy turkey burgers, chicken burgers and healthy burgers! And be sure to serve your hamburgers with my old fashioned potato salad or my favorite greek pasta salad and chips. Don’t forget peach crisp for dessert!

Storage tips

Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to about 2 weeks.

cheeseburger with burger sauce, tomato, red onion and lettuce served with fries

If you try this recipe, let me know! Leave a comment and if your family loves it as much as mine does, be sure to give it a five star ⭐️ rating! Also, tag @kimscravings on Instagram with a picture of your creation. It’s so fun to see what you’re cooking! Be sure to subscribe to our mailing list to receive more healthy delicious recipes straight to your inbox.

Epic Burger Sauce

Create the ultimate burger with this epic burger sauce! This special sauce recipe is easy to make and super tasty on burgers, wraps, sandwiches and fries!
Author: Kim

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup mayo
  • 2 tablespoons ketchup
  • 1 tablespoon sweet pickle juice
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon smoked or regular paprika
  • dash of cayenne, optional for spice
  • Salt & pepper to taste

Instructions 

  • Stir mayonnaise together with ketchup, pickle juice, garlic powder, smoked paprika, cayenne (if using) and salt and pepper to taste. Place in refrigerator.
  • This sauce can be served immediately or refrigerate for 2 hours for the flavor to build before using for the best taste.

Notes

  • Store in an air-tight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
  • Dill pickle juice can be used instead of sweet.
Serving: 1serving, Calories: 67kcal, Carbohydrates: 1g, Protein: 1g, Fat: 7g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 4mg, Sodium: 100mg, Potassium: 8mg, Sugar: 1g, Vitamin A: 19IU, Vitamin C: 1mg, Iron: 1mg

Did you make this recipe?

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