This easy homemade burger sauce tastes just like In-N-Out’s famous spread—but better! It comes together in 5 minutes with just 4 simple ingredients. Perfect for burgers, fries and more!
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Let’s talk about the unsung hero of burger night: the sauce. This homemade burger sauce is creamy, tangy, a little sweet and totally irresistible. It’s the kind of thing that makes you want to lick the spoon and swipe your fries through whatever’s left on the plate—and yes, I absolutely do both.
If you’re a fellow In-N-Out fan (it gets my vote for the #1 fast casual burger spot), this one will taste familiar. It’s a spot-on copycat of their famous spread—only fresher, faster and made with just a few pantry staples. Pair it with a homemade smash burger and a pile of crispy French fries for the ultimate takeout-fakeout dinner at home.
- Mayonnaise: I stick with full-fat mayo for the creamiest texture, but light mayo works if that’s what you have in the fridge.
- Sweet pickle relish: This gives the sauce its signature tangy-sweet flavor. You can also finely chop bread-and-butter pickles or use dill relish for less sweetness.
- Ketchup: Any brand works. BBQ sauce makes a fun twist for extra smoky flavor.
- Apple cider vinegar: Adds a little acidity to balance the sweetness and keeps the sauce from feeling too heavy. White vinegar or lemon juice will work in a pinch.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
It doesn’t get easier than this—just whisk everything together in a bowl! You can serve it right away, but it’s even better after chilling for an hour or two.
How to Use Burger Sauce (Beyond Burgers!)
Sure, it’s made for burgers—but this creamy, tangy sauce is too good not to drizzle, dunk or spread on just about everything. Here are a few of my favorite ways to use it:
- As a dip for French fries, beer-battered onion rings, air fryer mozzarella sticks or even parmesan chicken tenders
- In wraps, on sandwiches or drizzled over cheeseburger bowls
- Spooned over Hasselback potatoes or crispy roasted potatoes
- As a dipping sauce for veggie sticks, like avocado fries, baked zucchini fries or crispy asparagus fries
Storage Tips
Store your burger sauce in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week. You might notice a little separation as it sits, which is totally normal. Just give it a good stir before serving to bring everything back together.
Bonus tip: Store it in a small squeeze bottle to make it easy to drizzle. Trust me—you’ll find new uses for it every day!
Whether you’re firing up the grill or pulling together a weeknight dinner, this homemade burger sauce recipe is the kind of simple, flavor-packed upgrade that makes everything better. My crew goes wild for it on smash burgers and cheeseburger sliders.
Make it once and I promise, you’ll find a reason to keep a jar in your fridge at all times. What’s your favorite way to use this sweet and tangy sauce?
Craving more? Subscribe to Just a Taste to get new recipes, meal plans and a newsletter delivered straight to your inbox! And stay in touch on Facebook, TikTok, Pinterest and Instagram for all of the latest updates.Ingredients
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 3 Tablespoons sweet pickle relish
- 1 1/2 Tablespoons ketchup
- 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
Instructions
- In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sweet pickle relish, ketchup, and apple cider vinegar with ¼ teaspoon kosher salt and a pinch of black pepper.
- Serve immediately or store in an air-tight container in the fridge for up to 1 week.
Kelly’s Notes
- Make it a meal! This burger sauce was made for my Smash Burgers and pairs perfectly with a side of Crispy Homemade French Fries.
- Customize it: Prefer it spicier? Stir in a little hot sauce or a pinch of cayenne. Want it smokier? Try swapping ketchup for barbecue sauce.
- ★ Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!
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