Made from simple ingredients, our classic burger sauce will make a great addition to your next barbecue. This tasty condiment, also known as special sauce or pink sauce, will take your burgers to the next level of deliciousness!
This creamy burger sauce is also great on your favorite wraps and sandwiches. It is also a great dipping sauce for French fries, onion rings, and chicken tenders.
Don’t confuse our awesome burger sauce with Big Mac sauce. It’s so much better than the fast food version, and it’s without all the additives. And with our easy-to-make recipe, the secret sauce isn’t so secret anymore!
If you enjoy making homemade sauce, make sure to try my Copycat Chick-fil-A Sauce and Creamy Chipotle Pepper Sauce recipes.
Ingredients to make Burger Sauce
Let’s start by gathering the ingredients we need to make our homemade burger sauce recipe. In Chef Speak, this is called the Mise en Place, which translates into Everything in its Place.
Not only does setting your ingredients up ahead of time speed the cooking process, but it also helps ensure you have everything you need to make the dish.
Can I change up the ingredients?
Of course, you can; this is your own burger sauce and can be adjusted to your taste preference. We used Dijon mustard in our recipe, but you can easily swap it out for yellow mustard. You can also swap out the smoked paprika for sweet paprika.
There are minimal ingredients in our hamburger sauce. For a spicier version, you can add Worcestershire sauce, onion powder, garlic powder, chili powder, a little cayenne pepper, or your favorite hot sauce.
How to make Burger Sauce
- Add the mayonnaise, ketchup, and Dijon mustard to a medium bowl.
- Whisk to combine.
- Add the dill pickle juice, apple cider vinegar, table salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika to the mixture.
- Whisk to combine until fully blended.
*Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to combine.
I know you’ll agree that this is the best burger sauce and will make a great addition to your favorite burger recipe!
Store the sauce, refrigerated in an airtight container or jar for up to a week.
Recipe FAQ’s
No, you don’t, but it adds that special flavor that makes this sauce, special. Lemon juice or apple cider vinegar can be added, but taste it as you add it gradually to the mixture.
You can add sweet pickle relish, but that will make it more like Thousand Island dressing.
Yes, you can. It can be made ahead up to a week ahead of time. Just make sure to store it in a well-sealed, airtight container in the refrigerator.
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Classic Burger Sauce
Ingredients
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ½ cup ketchup
- ¼ cup Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon dill pickle juice
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- ½ teaspoon table salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ tablespoon hot sauce optional
Instructions
- Add the mayonnaise, ketchup and mustard to a mixing bowl and combine thoroughly.
- Add the dill pickle juice, apple cider vinegar, salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika to the mixture and whisk to combine all of the ingredients
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator for at least a 30 minutes to allow the flavors to combine
- Serve with burgers, grilled or fried chicken sandwiches.
DAVID S BARSAMIAN
Pickle juice from dill pickles or sweet pickle relish, or what?
Thanks, recipes are great.
Chef Dennis Littley
dill pickle juice.
Jim D
Haven’t tried yet. But I like the pickle juice addition.
Do you think this could be frozen? Mayo a problem?
Susie Buckethal
Oh this is a great recipe. How long will it keep in the Frig.
Chef Dennis Littley
You can keep it for up to a week in the fridge.
Lisa
This is the perfect sauce for my burgers!