This 6 ingredient hamburger sauce recipe is a quick, creamy burger sauce made with mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, relish, vinegar, and garlic powder. It comes together in just 5 minutes, and tastes like your favorite takeout burger sauce, and doubles down as a tasty dip for fries or onion rings.
JUMP TO RECIPEI’ve tested this easy burger sauce using both sweet and dill relish, various brands of mayonnaise, and a variety of burger pairings, and this version is the one I keep coming back to. It’s creamy, tangy, well balanced, and super easy to customize.
Ready in less than 5 minutes, and made with ingredients you have in your refrigerator and pantry- this hamburger sauce is a great make-ahead sauce for parties and BBQs, and gives you the flavor of a tasty take-out burger at home!
Table of Contents
- Why you'll love this recipe
- Ingredient Notes
- Burger Sauce Recipe Variations
- How to make Burger Sauce
- How to use this Hamburger Sauce
- Storage
- Sweet Relish Vs Dill Relish
- FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
- More great sauce recipes
Why you'll love this recipe
It's fast and easy. This sauce requires no prep, no special equipment, and no time! Just add the ingredients to a bowl, whisk them together, and voila- you've got great burger sauce! It tastes like a classic takeout-style burger sauce, but you can make it at home in minutes. For best flavor, allow to sit in the fridge for a few hours, or overnight to let everything meld together.
You probably have all the ingredients! This Burger Sauce is made with simple pantry ingredients you probably already have on hand, especially if you're planning a BBQ.
Customize to your taste. It’s easy to adjust this burger sauce recipe - whether you like your burger sauce sweeter, tangier, or more savory.
Ingredient Notes
Mayonnaise. This serves as the creamy base for the burger sauce. I have made this recipe with various types of mayonnaise, and they all work beautifully! Use regular mayo for the most classic burger-sauce flavor, or try Japanese mayo if you want a richer, more savory finish.
Relish. This is what gives the sauce it's burger-joint flavor. If you are more of a fan of sweet sauces, reach for the sweet relish, which has a higher sugar content. If you prefer a tangier, more savory sauce, go with my go-to, dill pickle relish. In a pinch, you could also use 2 tablespoon finely minced pickles, with a splash of pickle brine!
Ketchup. Adds the perfect balance of sweetness, tang, and gives the sauce it's great color. Use your favorite!
Yellow mustard. This gives the sauce a tangy flavor that's classic to burger sauce. Stick with classic yellow mustard, which is mild and tangy. Using a more pronounced mustard like Dijon will overpower the other flavors in the sauce.
Apple cider vinegar. Adding a bit of Apple Cider Vinegar adds a slightly sour, tangy flavor to the sauce, with a hint of fruitiness. I recommend using organic Apple Cider Vinegar for this recipe. It's raw, unfiltered and naturally fermented vinegar, which will have a more balanced flavor than standard apple cider vinegar.
Garlic powder. Adding a little garlic powder to the mix gives the sauce a pronounced garlic flavor quickly and easily.
Burger Sauce Recipe Variations
Smoky. For a smokier burger sauce, stir in some chipotle hot sauce, or a pinch of ancho chili powder.
Gariicky. Swap the garlic powder for one minced garlic clove for a burst of fresh, tangy garlic flavor!
Savory. Add a teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce to the mix and use rich Japanese mayo to give the Burger Sauce a burst of savory depth.
How to make Burger Sauce
All you need to do to make this hamburger sauce is whisk the ingredients together until smooth, then chill the sauce for a bit so the flavors meld and the texture thickens.
The finished burger sauce will be smooth, creamy, and slightly tangy, with bits of relish throughout. Taste the sauce before chilling and add a little extra relish, mustard, or ketchup to taste if desired.
Hamburger Sauce Recipe (6 Ingredient Burger Sauce)
Ingredients
- 1 cup mayonnaise, Kewpie brand preferred
- 2 tablespoon pickle relish (sweet or dill)
- ¼ cup ketchup
- 3 teaspoon yellow mustard
- 2 teaspoon apple cider vinegar, Organic preferred
- 2 teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a medium sized bowl. 2. Whisk until sauce is smooth and evenly pink, and the relish is well distributed. 3. For best flavor, cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes prior to serving. Sauce will keep in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 1 week.
Notes
Nutrition
How to use this Hamburger Sauce
This tasty Burger Sauce goes great with burgers, for that nostalgic In-and-Out burger or McDonald's Big Mac flavor!
It’s also great as a spread for sandwiches and wraps, drizzling over burger bowls, or served with chicken tenders and crispy roasted potatoes.
Storage
Store the burger sauce in an airtight glass jar or container in the fridge for up to a week. Give the sauce a quick stir before serving if it's been sitting for a few days.
Sweet Relish Vs Dill Relish
This is totally a point of preference. Both dill pickle relish and sweet relish work for this Burger Sauce recipe. I always lean more toward the more savory and tangy flavor of dill pickle relish, but sweet relish is also delicious, and makes the sauce more like Big Mac sauce!
Choose a sweet relish if you want an ultra-classic fast food style burger sauce flavor. Reach for the dill relish if you want a tangier, savory sauce with a sharper flavor.
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
Can I make hamburger sauce without relish?
Sure can! It will be a little less tangy, but still great for burgers, with a bit more sweetness.
What’s the difference between burger sauce and special sauce?
There's really not much difference. "Special sauce" is really just a fast food marketing term for burger sauce.
What else can I use burger sauce for?
This quick and easy burger sauce is obviously great for burgers, like my Baked Cheeseburger Sliders, or Pimento Cheeseburgers with Bacon, but it also makes a great dipping sauce for french fries or onion rings.
Can I make this sauce vegan?
Yes. You can make this sauce vegan by swapping in your favorite vegan mayonnaise.
How long does burger sauce last in the fridge?
Stored in an airtight container, this burger sauce lasts a week in the refrigerator.
More great sauce recipes
If you love easy homemade burger condiments and dipping sauces as much as I do, these are the next recipes you need to try.
Try my quick and spicy Sriracha Aioli recipe for a zesty sauce you can use as a dip, or on sandwiches!
Whip up a batch of my Creamy Chipotle Sauce, for a spicy kick.
Try my Gochujang Mayo for fast punch of umami and heat.
Make a batch of my Creamy Lemon Dill Sauce, perfect for fish and chicken!
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