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Home · Recipes · Condiments, Sauces, and Marinades · Best Burger Sauce Recipe

Published: May 22, 2025 by Kelly Anthony · Leave a CommentThis post may contain affiliate links. Read our disclosure policy.

Best Burger Sauce Recipe

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Homemade Burger Sauce is a quick and easy way to instantly elevate burger night. Think McDonald's Big Mac sauce, only way better. We love this sauce on burgers with burger seasoning and as a fry dip.

Homemade burger sauce on a loaded burger

This sauce is creamy, tangy, a little sweet, and perfectly savory. It adds the just-right amount of zing to both beef and turkey burgers with potato buns. You only need a handful of ingredients and five minutes to make it, and you probably already have them stored away in your fridge and spice cabinet.

After testing dozens of sauce recipes through the years, I can confidently say this is the one you want on hand for every single burger night to come. This easy homemade burger sauce is a staple in our home for burger night—our family's favorite night of the week—alongside steak fries or sweet potato fries. We will literally never host another cookout without it! Guests love this special sauce concoction just as much as our family does.

Close up of a homemade burger sauce on a loaded burger

Table of Contents

  • Homemade Burger Sauce Ingredients (and What They Do!)
  • How Make Burger Sauce
  • More Ways to Use Special Sauce
  • 5 More Sauces to Amp Up Burger Night
  • Burger Sauce FAQs

Homemade Burger Sauce Ingredients (and What They Do!)

Welcome to the fast-food secret sauce that burger dreams are made of. Think McDonald's Big Mac sauce, but with better ingredients and ten times the flavor. I kept this special sauce recipe simple and classic, allowing all the flavors to blend perfectly together to enhance the flavor profile of your burger patty.

  • Mayonnaise | The base of your burger sauce, this ingredient is responsible for a smooth and creamy mouthfeel.
  • Ketchup | Adds both sweetness and tang to the sauce, cutting through the fatty beef patty.
  • Mustard | Perfect for adding just the right amount of acidity, again, a great contrast to fatty beef. It's all about balance!
  • Sweet Pickle Relish | This ingredient adds a tangy-sweet note to homemade special sauce, and provides the perfect added texture and crunch.
  • Garlic + Onion Powder | This dynamic spice duo is responsible for adding big umami flavor notes, as well as savory depth to your sauce (and pretty much any other recipe it touches).
  • Kosher Salt + Black Pepper | This classic combo wakes up all of the other ingredients, enhancing and strengthening the flavor of each one.

How Make Burger Sauce

To make the best special sauce ever, simply combine all the ingredients in a bowl, stir, and you're done! There's no mincing or chopping—zero elbow grease required!

Steps to assemble burger sauce

Serve your homemade burger sauce right away or store it in an airtight container for up to one week. Stir before use, as separation might occur.

Burger sauce on a spoon

More Ways to Use Special Sauce

The yumminess doesn't stop at burger night. This sauce is perfect for sprucing up sliders, sandwiches, wraps, and even as a dipping sauce for chicken tenders and fries!

5 More Sauces to Amp Up Burger Night

Step outside the condiment world of plain mustard, mayo, and ketchup and add a little more pizazz to burger night with any one of these easy homemade sauces.

  • Homemade BBQ Sauce | Great on a BBQ chicken sandwich but would also be amazing on a beefy cheeseburger.
  • Chipotle Sauce | It brings together a perfect balance of smoky heat, creamy texture, and bold flavor—all elements that elevate a burger.
  • Chick-fil-A Sauce | The fast-food copycat sauce we know and love delivers a sweet, tangy, and savory punch that adds richness and nostalgia to any burger.
  • Honey Mustard Dressing | A fantastic choice for burger night, because it delivers a perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and creamy flavors that complement a wide variety of burger styles.
  • Avocado Crema | It brings a cool, creamy, and fresh contrast to the bold, savory flavors of a burger. Give our avocado spread a try for similar vibes.
Homemade burger sauce being spooned on a cheeseburger

Burger Sauce FAQs

How long does burger sauce last?

This is an excellent make-ahead recipe. It can be made days in advance and refrigerated until ready to use! Special sauce will keep for up to one week refrigerated in an airtight container.

Can I freeze burger sauce?

No, it is best not to freeze this sauce due to the mayonnaise component, which can cause separation or graininess.

Can I use dill relish instead of sweet?

Yes! If you prefer your burger sauce a little more tangy and a little sweet, feel free to sub in dill relish!

Burger sauce on a spoon
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Homemade Burger Sauce Recipe

This easy homemade burger sauce tastes just like Big Mac sauce—creamy, tangy, & packed with flavor! Perfect for burgers, fries, & dipping.
Servings: 8
Calories: 48kcal
Author: Kelly Anthony

Ingredients

  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • ¼ cup ketchup
  • 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
  • 2 tablespoons sweet pickle relish
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • Pinch of Kosher salt
  • Dash of hot sauce (optional)

Instructions

  • Add all of the ingredients to a bowl and stir to combine.
  • Use right away or store refrigerated in an airtight container for up to a week.

Nutrition

Calories: 48kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 0.3g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 0.5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 2mg | Sodium: 235mg | Potassium: 33mg | Fiber: 0.2g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 96IU | Vitamin C: 0.4mg | Calcium: 4mg | Iron: 0.1mg
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I’m Kelly Anthony — a baker, home chef, and mom with a passion for food and an adoration for entertaining.

Comfort food is my specialty, and it is truly my pleasure to share these recipes with you. If you’d like to get to know me a little better, click here.

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