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Secret Sauce

Name: Secret Sauce Recipe (Special Burger Sauce)
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Ingredients: ½ cup mayonnaise; ¼ cup ketchup; 1 Tbsp. Dijon mustard (or yellow); 2 Tbsp. sweet pickle relish; 2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce; 1 Tbsp. lemon juice; 2 cloves garlic (crushed); ¼ tsp. paprika; Salt (to taste)

GF PA SF V VG 30

By London Brazil

May 26, 2022

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Secret Sauce is the perfect homemade topping for burgers and only takes 5 minutes to make! Simple ingredients like mayo, ketchup, mustard, pick relish, and garlic combine to make this creamy recipe. The flavor is so similar to McDonald’s Big Mac sauce and is also delicious on fish tacos or as a dip for fries.

The secret sauce is served from a small white dish.

We needed some sauce. And not just any sauce. A sauce that was so special it could complement the hubby’s juicy Air Fryer Hamburgers recipe perfectly.

Having been one of those kids who mixed my favorite drinks at the soda fountain, why not try it out with condiments?

A good bit of mayo, some ketchup, and a touch of mustard and sweet pickle relish.

With a few whisks, the secret sauce was quickly whipped up in less than 5 minutes.

I dipped my spoon in to take a taste, and wowzers!!

My concoction was kept secret from our guests until after I saw their reaction. When it was met with rave reviews, I let the cat out of the bag.

Now, this often-requested dip is affectionately known as “secret sauce” in our house and we serve it with fries, burgers, and even fish tacos.

It also just so happens to taste A LOT like the special sauce on McDonald’s Big Macs and In-n-Out burgers!

Ingredients

The simple ingredients you need to make this burger sauce recipe include:

Mayonnaise. Duke’s and Hellman’s are the best. You can also use miracle whip or even a vegan mayo.
Ketchup. Use whatever ketchup you have available. Opt for a sugar-free version if watching the carbs.
Mustard. Dijon mustard is preferred for the most flavor, but yellow can also be used.
Relish. Sweet pickle relish tastes best since it’s tangy and a bit sweet. You can also use dill relish if you don’t want the added sugar.
Worcestershire. This gives it an umami flavor and has a hint of molasses and vinegar.
Lemon Juice. Freshly squeezed is preferred, but you can use bottled or leave it out if you don’t have any available.
Paprika. Regular paprika is used, but you can also use smoked for more of a kick.
Garlic. Fresh, minced garlic is preferred, but ½-teaspoon of garlic powder can be substituted.

The secret sauce ingredients are mixed together in a bowl with a whisk.

How to Make Secret Sauce

The basic steps for making this secret sauce recipe are simple to follow. Please see the recipe card for more detailed ingredient amounts.

Combine the Ingredients

Add mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, pickle relish, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, crushed garlic, and paprika to a medium-sized mixing bowl.

To save on dishes, make this sauce in an airtight container that you will store it in.

All of the ingredients are combined by a whisk.

Whisk it Up

Thoroughly mix the ingredients. Be sure everything is well-combined to create a smooth and even texture and flavor.

The color should be a light pink and there should be no chunks.

Sauce is made in just 5 minutes with a whisk.

Serve or Chill

This sauce is best served after chilling in the fridge for a few hours. This extra time allows the flavors to really come together.

If you don’t have time, you can immediately serve this sauce on a burger, fish taco, or as a dip for fries.

Secret sauce is shown on a hamburger for dinner.

Meal Prep and Storage

To Prep-Ahead: This sauce is best when prepped ahead since the ingredients have a chance to meld together. Make it at least two hours in advance for the best taste.
To Store: Keep secret sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator. If fresh garlic is used the sauce will last for up to 2 weeks. If you use garlic powder it can last for up to a month, if you can resist eating it all up before then!
To Freeze: This is not recommended as the mayo will separate.

Dietary Modifications

The recipe you’ll find below is already low-carb, gluten-free, and vegetarian as written. Here are some adjustments and substitutions you can make to help it fit your other dietary requirements:

Keto – Look for ketchup without any added sugar.
Whole30 and Paleo – Find ketchup without any added sugar and substitute the Worcestershire sauce for apple cider vinegar.
Vegan – Use a plant-based mayo.

The secret sauce is lifted into the air by a metal spoon.

FAQs

What is a secret sauce made of?

There are many variations of secret, or special, sauce. Generally, they consist of a base of mayonnaise, ketchup, and relish. Other ingredients like mustard, vinegar, or Worcestershire are often added.

What kind of sauce goes well with burgers?

This special sauce goes amazingly well with burgers. BBQ sauce, ketchup, mustard, or aioli are also great options.

What’s a good dipping sauce for homemade fries?

Ketchup, aioli, special sauce, remoulade sauce, tartar sauce, and BBQ sauce are all excellent dips for fries.

What is fry sauce?

Fry sauce originated in Utah. It includes 1 part ketchup, and 2 parts mayo. It’s very similar to this secret sauce recipe, although slightly more simple.

Expert Tips and Tricks

Use sweet relish. This balances out the tanginess of the other ingredients.
Prep it ahead. This extra time gives the flavors a chance to meld together.
Add a little heat. Include some sriracha or a pinch of cayenne pepper to spice things up.
Limit the dishes. Mix up the sauce in the bowl you plan on storing it in.
Make some extra. This stuff will go FAST, so you may want to consider doubling the batch!