Name: Easy Burger Sauce
Prep time: 5 min
Ingredients: 1/4 cup mayonnaise; 2 tbsp ketchup; 1 tbsp Dijon mustard; 2 tbsp dill pickles ((finely chopped) or dill relish); 1/4 tsp smoked paprika; 1/4 tsp garlic powder; 3 tsp hot sauce ((add more to taste)); pinch of black pepper

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This burger sauce is a tangy, creamy mix of mayonnaise, ketchup, Dijon, and dill pickles with a kick of hot sauce. Ready in 5 minutes, and it only gets better the longer it chills.

A bowl of creamy burger sauce with a spoon is surrounded by a burger bun, a sandwich with lettuce, and a plate of pickles and onion slices on a dark wooden table.

A Quick Look at the Recipe

👩🏻‍🍳 Recipe Name: Easy Burger Sauce
⏱️ Ready In: 5 minutes
🧑‍🧑‍🧒 Makes: 1 ⅓ cups
🍴Calories: ~24 (estimated)
🥣 Main Ingredients: Mayonnaise, ketchup, Dijon mustard, dill pickles, hot sauce
🍲 Flavor Profile: Tangy with a little heat, creamy, and a touch smoky from the paprika.
🎯 Difficulty: Very Easy

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This burger sauce started as the sauce for my ground chicken burgers and then, somewhat predictably, started showing up on everything else. Sweet and spicy smash burgers, burger bowls, crispy French fries, and even air-fried zucchini fries. I made the mistake of putting the leftover bowl on the table with dinner, and now apparently we're a burger-sauce household.

It's basically my version of a classic burger-joint special sauce, but a little sharper and less sweet. Dijon, Worcestershire, smoked paprika, dill pickles, and a few shakes of hot sauce keep the mayo-and-ketchup base from tasting flat. It takes about five minutes to make, though it's even better if you give it 20 minutes in the fridge before dinner.

Why You'll Love This Burger Sauce

It takes five minutes. There is no cooking, chopping beyond a couple of pickles, or hauling out the blender. Stir everything together, and you're done.
It's not too sweet. This is what I like most about it. Dijon, Worcestershire, pickles, and hot sauce give the creamy mayo-ketchup base enough bite to keep things interesting.
Make it before you need it. It's good immediately, but after 15 or 20 minutes in the fridge, everything settles in and tastes better.

What Is Burger Sauce Made Of?

Burger sauce usually starts with some combination of mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, and pickles or relish. Mine stays in that general neighborhood, but Dijon, Worcestershire, smoked paprika, and hot sauce make it tangier, smokier, and a little less sweet than the typical drive-thru version.

Bowls of burger sauce ingredients on a wooden table: mayo, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire, hot sauce, ketchup, garlic powder, dill pickles, and paprika, each labeled with text.

Mayonnaise. The creamy base. Most of the volume here is mayo, so it's worth using one you actually like the taste of.
Ketchup and Dijon mustard. Along with the mayo, these two make up the classic burger sauce trio. Dijon gives more sharpness than a milder yellow mustard would.
Dill pickles or dill relish. Either works, whichever you have on hand. They bring tang and a little texture.
Worcestershire sauce and smoked paprika. These are the two ingredients that keep this from tasting like plain mayo mixed with ketchup. Worcestershire brings the savory part; smoked paprika gives it a subtle smoky edge.
Hot sauce. Two teaspoons give the sauce a little kick without turning it into a spicy sauce. Add more if that's what you're after.

How To Make Burger Sauce

A white bowl with ketchup, chopped pickles, mayo, seasoning, and mustard sits on a wooden table next to a white cloth and a wooden spatula.

Step 1: Stir everything together.

Add the mayonnaise, ketchup, Dijon, chopped pickles, Worcestershire, smoked paprika, garlic powder, hot sauce, and black pepper to a small bowl and stir until smooth.

A white bowl with burger sauce being mixed by a white spatula with a wooden handle, sitting on a wooden table next to a folded white cloth.

Step 2: Taste and chill.

Taste and adjust from here. For more heat, stir in extra hot sauce. Cover and refrigerate for 15 to 30 minutes if you have time. The flavors come together as it chills.

Expert Tips and Variations

Let it chill. It tastes good right away, but 15 to 30 minutes in the fridge gives the flavors time to come together.
Adjust the heat. Start with 2 teaspoons of hot sauce, taste, then add more if you want it spicier.
Make it tangier. Add a splash of pickle juice from the jar.
Swap the mustard. Dijon gives it more bite. Yellow mustard makes it taste more like a classic burger-joint special sauce.

Make Ahead and Storage

Store burger sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

A chicken burger with lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, cheddar cheese, and sauce on a bun, served on a white plate.

What to Serve With Burger Sauce

Burgers. Of course! Ground chicken burgers, beef burgers, turkey burgers, and smash burgers all work.
Burger bowls. My burger bowls use this same sauce drizzled over the top instead of tucked into a bun.
Fries and potatoes. My air fryer French fries or roasted baby potatoes are a natural match.
Dipping. Chicken tenders, onion rings, tater tots, and anything else you'd normally dunk in ketchup or ranch.

More Delicious Ways To Use This Sauce

As a burger topping or a dip, this sauce is perfect for your next burger night!

A small white bowl filled with creamy, burger sauce with specks, a spoon inside. The bowl is on a wooden table near a burger bun and a blue patterned plate.

Made this burger sauce? I want to hear about it. Drop a star rating and leave a comment below, and tell me what you ended up putting it on.

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