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Not-So-Secret Burger Sauce

4.5

(16)

Burger sauce  squirted into little paper condiment cups.
Photo by Charles Masters, Food styling by Chelsea Zimmer

With its blend of tangy, smoky, and sweet flavors, this homemade burger sauce recipe is perfect both on and off the bun. Pair it with your favorite burger recipes—like In-N-Out-style smash burgers—or slather it on roast beef or turkey sandwiches. Use it in place of any condiments in your deviled eggs or egg salad, or tuck it into a pita with chicken shawarma or ground beef kebabs. Serve it as a dipping sauce for french fries, onion rings, chicken tenders, a soft pretzel, or fresh vegetables.

Of course, you can adjust the portions of our house special sauce, transforming it into your own secret sauce. Use Dijon mustard instead of yellow. Swap the dill pickle juice for sweet pickle relish for a chunkier Thousand Island dressing–like consistency, or try apple cider vinegar or white vinegar for a sharper tang. Add a pinch of cayenne pepper for kick, or cracked black pepper or dash of sriracha for milder spice. Store the hamburger sauce in an airtight container in the fridge until you’re ready to use it.

Recipe information

  • Total Time

    5 minutes

  • Yield

    Makes about 1 cup

Ingredients

½ cup mayonnaise
¼ cup ketchup
2 Tbsp. yellow mustard
1 Tbsp. pickle juice from the jar
2 tsp. honey
2 tsp. hot sauce
½ tsp. garlic powder
½ tsp. onion powder
½ tsp. smoked paprika

Preparation

  1. In a medium bowl, stir ½ cup mayonnaise, ¼ cup ketchup, 2 Tbsp. yellow mustard, 1 Tbsp. pickle juice from the jar, 2 tsp. honey, 2 tsp. hot sauce, ½ tsp. garlic powder, ½ tsp. onion powder, and ½ tsp. smoked paprika. Taste and adjust seasoning.

    Do Ahead: Burger sauce can be made 5 days ahead; keep chilled.

    Editor’s note: This burger sauce recipe was first printed in January 2015 as “Epicurious Not-So-Secret Sauce,” and has been updated to reflect a higher yield and streamline the ingredient list. Head this way for more of our favorite summer sides

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