The secret sauce that makes every burger better!
This is the easy burger sauce recipe that turns good burgers into great ones. Tangy, creamy, with just enough pickily bite to make you wonder why you ever bothered with plain mayo and ketchup.
I developed it for my Canned Salmon Smash Burger, then used it on my Salmon Burger Bowls...but honestly? It's become the go-to sauce in our house for everything from my husband's beef smash burgers to late-night fry dipping sessions.
The best part? It takes about 5 minutes to whisk together and tastes infinitely better than anything you'll squeeze from a bottle.
If you love dipping sauces as much as I do, don't miss my Spicy Aioli and Mardi Gras Mustard!
Ingredients for Best Burger Sauce
Why This Burger Sauce Works
Most burger sauces try to do too much or not enough. This one hits that perfect middle ground...creamy base, tangy kick, sweet pickle crunch, and enough umami from the mustard and garlic to complement whatever you're putting it on without competing.
The secret is in the proportions and that splash of pickle juice. It brightens everything up and ties the flavors together in a way that just mixing mayo and ketchup never could.
How to Make Homemade Burger Sauce: A Visual Guide
Make It Your Own
Want it spicy? Add a teaspoon of prepared horseradish or a few dashes of your favorite hot sauce. Start small...you can always add more.
No cornichons? Sweet pickle relish (or dill!) works perfectly. Use 2 tablespoons instead of the diced pickles and reduce the pickle juice to ½ teaspoon since relish tends to be more liquid.
Love it smoky? Swap the regular paprika for smoked paprika. It adds a subtle depth that's fantastic on grilled burgers.
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Best Burger Sauce Recipe
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
Description
This creamy, tangy burger sauce beats any store-bought version. Ready in 5 minutes and perfect on burgers, fries, and more!
Ingredients
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 2 tablespoons cornichons or sweet pickles, diced + 1 teaspoon sweet pickle juice
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
- 1 teaspoon dried minced onion
- ¼ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- Black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Mix it up. In a medium bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, diced pickles and juice, dried onion, paprika, garlic powder, and a few grinds of black pepper until smooth.
- Let it meld. For best flavor, let it sit in the fridge for at least 15 minutes before using. The dried onion needs time to rehydrate and the flavors need a moment to get acquainted. Taste and adjust seasoning before serving.
- Spread generously. Use immediately or store covered in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Notes
- Make-ahead friendly: This sauce actually improves after sitting for a few hours as the flavors meld.
- Spicy variation: Add 1 teaspoon prepared horseradish or hot sauce to taste.
- Pickle relish substitute: Use 2 tablespoons sweet (or dill) pickle relish instead of diced pickles, reduce juice to ½ teaspoon.
- Double it: This recipe scales up perfectly if you're feeding a crowd.
- Prep Time: 5
- Category: Easy Recipes
- Method: No Cook
- Cuisine: American
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