Published February 28, 2025. This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.
This quick and easy Burger Sauce Recipe is my secret to next-level burgers. It’s creamy, tangy, and packed with flavor. You’ll be amazed at how this simple 5-minute sauce can make an everyday hamburger taste like it came from your favorite burger joint.
If you want to turn a good burger into a great burger, you need the proper sauce. Luckily, I finally created the perfect secret burger sauce: a creamy and tangy mayo-based sauce with many pickles and onions in each spoonful. Whether I’m spreading it on a juicy cheeseburger, using it as a dip for French fries, or spreading it on a sandwich, this no-cook homemade condiment seriously delivers.
Burger Sauce
This burger sauce is a creamy, tangy, and slightly sweet condiment that will elevate any burger. Its creamy mayonnaise base is combined with classic burger fixings, like mustard, ketchup, vinegar, pickles, and onions, to give you finger-licking good results.
You wouldn’t be far off if this sauce reminded you of Big Mac Sauce or Thousand Island dressing. However, my homemade burger sauce is bolder and tangier, thanks to the Dijon mustard, a hint of white vinegar, dill, and bread and butter pickles in each batch. It is an upgrade but just as easy to make as any other simple burger condiment—mix everything and enjoy!
I’ll find an excuse to slather this sauce on any burger I can get my hands on, from regular smash burgers to light and fresh salmon burgers. I’ll even make extras to have ready when I need a dipping sauce for French fries or chicken tenders or a tangy sandwich spread. Just because “burger” is in the name doesn’t mean you can’t use it everywhere.
Ingredients and Substitutions
- Mayonnaise — I used mayonnaise as the base of the sauce. I usually use homemade mayonnaise, but any full-fat mayo will do the trick here.
- Vinegar – I mix in a splash of distilled white vinegar for a pop of tang. To adjust the flavor, use white wine vinegar for a milder acidity or apple cider vinegar for a fruitier tang.
- Pickles — In the homemade burger sauce, I use equal parts of dill pickles and bread and butter pickles. Together, they add a briny, dilly bite and some texture. You can also experiment with a mix of dill and sweet relish here.
- Onion – Minced yellow onion gives the sauce just the right amount of sharpness without overpowering the other flavors. Alternatively, use minced shallot for a milder bite or an equal amount of red onion for a slightly sweeter taste.
- Mustard — I use Dijon mustard in many of my homemade sauces, like Dijononnaise and Dijon cream sauce, because it adds a nice complexity that you don’t get from yellow mustard. If you don’t have Dijon on hand, use yellow mustard instead, spicy brown mustard, or stone-ground mustard for a bit more punch.
- Sugar — A pinch of granulated white sugar mellows out the acidity and brings everything together. You can omit the sugar if you want to make a sugar-free version. Your sauce will still be delicious, just slightly more tangy.
- Ketchup – It’s optional, but I highly recommend adding ketchup for color and to enhance the umami notes that give the sauce its signature burger joint flavor.
How to Make the Best Burger Sauce
Combine the ingredients: First, I add all the ingredients to a medium-sized mixing bowl, then use a spoon or whisk to mix until the sauce is thoroughly blended and creamy.
Taste and adjust: I give it a quick taste and adjust the seasonings with salt and black pepper.
Serve or chill: The sauce is ready to use immediately, but I refrigerate it for a few minutes before serving it for the best flavor.
chef tips + notes
The secret to the best burger sauce is letting it rest. While you can use it immediately, I always chill it for at least 15 to 30 minutes. This gives the flavors time to meld and mingle, creating a more cohesive, well-balanced flavor profile. Trust me, this short wait makes all the difference.
- Finely dice the pickles and onions: They’ll be distributed evenly in the sauce. If you prefer a smoother texture, you can finely grate the pickles and onion or even pulse everything in a food processor or blender for a few seconds.
- Experiment with the flavors: For an extra kick, add a dash of smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, hot sauce, or a spoonful of minced pickled jalapenos. For a more herbaceous note, try adding a sprinkle of dried parsley, dill, or chives.
- For a lighter twist: If mayonnaise isn’t your thing, try swapping it out for Greek yogurt. It isn’t as heavy and will add some sneaky protein, too. Or, if some of your guests don’t eat eggs, make the burger sauce with vegan mayonnaise instead.
Serving Suggestions
No burger is complete without the perfect sauce, and this one takes any burger to the next level. Personally, I love slathering it on classic burgers, but it’s also fantastic on a big, juicy smash burger or a fully loaded cowboy burger. It also goes great with turkey burgers and veggie burgers.
You can also use it as a dipping sauce for crispy French fries, onion rings, and chicken tenders. It’s even a welcome spread on a classic Reuben sandwich. Fair warning—you might end up putting it on everything!
Make-Ahead and Storage
Make-Ahead: Make a batch in advance and store it in an airtight container in the fridge until you’re ready to use it. It tastes even better after sitting for a day or two!
How to Store: Keep the sauce in an airtight jar or container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. If it thickens too much in the fridge, thin it with a splash of vinegar, pickle brine, or a little water.
More Burger Sauce Recipes
- Bang Bang Sauce Recipe
- Homemade Creamy Horseradish Sauce
- Homemade BBQ Sauce Recipe
- Easy Cajun Remoulade Sauce Recipe
- Homemade Mississippi Comeback Sauce Recipe
Burger Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 cup of mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoons distilled white vinegar
- ¼ cup small diced dill pickles
- ¼ cup small diced bread and butter pickles
- ¼ cup small diced peeled yellow onion
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 2 tablespoons ketchup, optional
- coarse salt and freshly cracked pepper to taste
Instructions
- Add all the ingredients to a medium-sized bowl.
- Mix using a spoon or whisk.
- Adjust seasonings with salt and pepper. Use or cover and chill the sauce.
Burger Sauce