You are going to love this tangy in-n-out burger sauce because it adds that special something-something and makes your hamburgers epic. It tastes exactly like the real deal, In-N-Out's special sauce, and goes so well with all your favorite burger toppings. It’s so much better than anything you could possibly buy in the store.
It's perfect for burger nights, French fries, onion rings, or anything else you might want some delicious sauce on! And, you need only 6 simple ingredients. It couldn’t be easier. It's my favorite sauce besides honey mustard sauce.
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Try This Copycat In-N-Out Sauce
I love copycat recipes like this because they use ingredients I almost always have in the fridge.
With just a few pantry staples, you can make what I genuinely think is the best burger sauce, and stop your craving for good sauce!
What Is In-N-Out Burger Sauce?
In-N-Out burger sauce is a creamy condiment made with mayo, ketchup, pickle relish, and a few seasonings.
This homemade In-N-Out sauce tastes remarkably close to the original and comes together in minutes.
Why You’ll Love It
- Easy: It's a very beginner-friendly recipe and uses pantry staples only. All you have to do is put all the ingredients in a bowl and stir.
- Customizable: We love it classic with a little tang, but feel free to spice it up or add extra flavor. Add ¼ teaspoon crushed paprika flakes, 1 tablespoon freshly chopped Habanero, or add chili powder if you like. You can add additional mix-ins like 1 tablespoon of diced pickles or diced onion if you prefer a chunkier sauce. It's also great to add 1 finely chopped clove of garlic, some black pepper, or even a pinch of sugar for a sweeter taste, taking this sauce to a whole new level.
- Usage: This sauce is so delicious that we don't just use it in air fryer hamburgers and cheeseburgers, but also in sandwiches, salads, steaks, over chicken tenders, and as a dip for breaded prawns. It even goes well with air fryer hot dogs.
- Texture: It's medium-thick and super creamy. The chunks of the pickle relish are barely noticeable.
Ingredients
- Mayonnaise: We love Hellmann’s. I only recommend full-fat mayonnaise and no substitutes.
- Ketchup – Without a doubt, Heinz is the best choice. Its taste adds the right amount of acidity to the sauce.
- Dill Pickle Relish: We usually use Heinz Dill Relish, but I found some no-name relishes taste just as good. We prefer dill pickle relish, but you can certainly use sweet pickle relish if you prefer. It’s either way a delicious sauce. If you don't have dill or sweet relish available, you could use finely chopped pickles and spicy pickle juice instead.
- Apple Cider Vinegar: We think that apple cider vinegar is the perfect vinegar for burger sauce. Its flavor is so much more complex than just plain white vinegar and therefore doesn’t serve just the purpose of adding acidity. However, if you prefer white vinegar, feel free to use this one. You could even use lemon or lime juice to add acidity.
- Sugar and Salt: Sugar regulates the acidity and that you don’t end up with a sweet sauce, and salt is added to balance the flavors.
How to Make In-N-Out Burger Spread
1. Add the mayonnaise, ketchup, relish, vinegar, sugar, and salt to a small bowl.
2. Stir all of the ingredients until it is smooth and fully combined.
3. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour to let the flavors meld.
4. Stir the chilled sauce again and serve.
Recipe Tips
- I always let it chill for at least an hour. It tastes good right away, but after some time in the fridge, it tastes much better.
- If you prefer a burger sauce without mustard, this recipe is perfect because it gets all its tang from relish and vinegar instead of yellow mustard.
- Store leftovers in a sealed container so the sauce stays fresh and creamy.
What Can You Serve With This?
- Hamburger
- Cheeseburgers
- French fries
- Onion rings
- Sandwiches
FAQs
Stored in a sealed container, it keeps well in the fridge for up to one week.
You can, but I personally don’t think it needs it. This version is a burger sauce without mustard, and it still tastes very close to the original.
No. We love it classic, so there are no spicy ingredients used in this creamy sauce.
Thousand Island dressing is not exactly the same, but very similar in taste. You can certainly use this delicious, tangy hamburger sauce and use it not only on Big Macs and smash burgers, but it’s also a great addition to Reuben sandwiches, or use it as a salad dressing. It's also a great dipping sauce for French fries, sweet potato fries, potato wedges, or onion rings.
The most common practice is to put the sauce directly on burger buns before adding toppings. We love putting it on both halves of the bun for maximum flavor!
No, since there is mayonnaise in the sauce, it doesn’t freeze well. Unfortunately, the fat in mayo doesn't freeze well, so when you thaw it out, your once delicious and smooth spread will be lumpy and curdled.
Recipe
In-N-Out burger sauce
Ingredients
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 3 tablespoon ketchup
- 2 tablespoon dill pickle or sweet relish
- 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Add the mayonnaise, ketchup, relish, vinegar, sugar, and salt in a small bowl and mix to combine.
- Store covered in the refrigerator for 1 hour. Then stir and serve.
- You can refrigerate leftovers for up to 1 week.
Notes
Taste & Texture
Creamy, tangy, slightly sweet, and incredibly flavorful with a smooth consistency.Storage, Freezing & Reheating
- Fridge: Store in a sealed container for up to 1 week.
- Freezing: Not recommended.
- Best Served: Chilled.
Serving Recommendations
I love spreading this on both burger buns for maximum flavor. It’s also excellent as a dip for fries when you want the full fast-food experience at home.Recipe Variations and Substitutions
- Add a splash of pickle juice for extra tang.
- Use sweet relish instead of dill relish.
- Add a pinch of smoked paprika.
Proper Storage Tips
- Keep refrigerated at all times.
- Store in a sealed container.
- Stir before serving.
Pro Tips
- Use good-quality mayo.
- Let it chill before serving.
- Double the batch if you’re feeding a crowd.
Video
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V Wood
Very good! Being a catsup snob though I use Great Value brand. It's just better.