This homemade smash burger sauce recipe is creamy, tangy, and ready in just 5 minutes. Made with mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, pickle juice, and chopped pickles, this easy burger sauce tastes incredible on grilled smash burgers, cheeseburgers, fries, sandwiches, and wraps.
I've made this sauce countless times for burger nights, and the pickle juice is what takes it from good to "everyone asks for the recipe." This sauce can be made up to 5 days in advance and actually tastes even better after chilling overnight.
Want to save this recipe?
Enter your email & I'll send it to your inbox. Plus, get great new recipes from me every week!
Recipe At A Glance
- Ready in: 5 minutes
- Chill time: At least 15-30 minutes, up to 1 day ahead
- Makes: ¾ cup
- Serves: 6-8 burgers, 4 burger bowls, 6 servings of fries
- Difficulty: Easy
- Best for: Smash burgers, fries, sandwiches
What is smash burger sauce?
Smash burger sauce is a creamy burger sauce made with mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, pickle juice, and chopped pickles. It has a tangy, slightly sweet flavor and is commonly served on smash burgers and cheeseburgers. It is often compared to Big Mac sauce or restaurant burger sauce, but it has a brighter, tangier flavor thanks to the dill pickle juice.
What does smash burger sauce taste like?
Smash burger sauce tastes creamy, tangy, slightly sweet, and savory. It has similarities to Big Mac sauce and Thousand Island dressing, but the dill pickle flavor makes it brighter and less sweet.
Why Pickle Juice Is the Secret Ingredient
After testing this sauce both ways, I wouldn't skip the pickle juice. Without it, the sauce tastes heavier and slightly flat. It cuts through the richness of the mayo and gives the sauce that restaurant-style flavor.
I prefer dill pickle juice because sweet pickle juice can make the sauce taste too sugary.
Jump to:
- Recipe At A Glance
- What is smash burger sauce?
- What does smash burger sauce taste like?
- Why Pickle Juice Is the Secret Ingredient
- Why You'll Love This Easy Smash Burger Sauce Recipe
- Ingredients You'll Need
- How to Make Homemade Smash Burger Sauce
- Optional Mix-Ins
- Ways to Use Smash Burger Sauce
- Jeri's Top Tips
- Homemade Smash Burger Sauce Variations
- Storage Tips
- Smash Burger Sauce vs Big Mac Sauce
- Frequently Asked Questions
- More Easy Homemade Sauce Recipes to Try Next
- Printable Recipe
- Comments
Why You'll Love This Easy Smash Burger Sauce Recipe
- Made with just five simple ingredients, this sauce is creamy, tangy, and full of flavor.
- Unlike bottled burger sauces, this homemade version lets you control the flavor and adjust the tanginess to your liking.
- This sauce is so good, you can also use it to dip Air Fryer Frozen French Fries and even Mini Mummy Dogs.
Ingredients You'll Need
- Mayonnaise. I've tested this recipe with several different brands, and full-fat mayonnaise always gives the best flavor and texture. Hellmann's/Best Foods is my go-to for a classic burger sauce, Duke's for extra tang, or avocado mayo for a lighter option.
- Yellow mustard. Adds that signature tang and sharpness. Dijon works in a pinch, but yellow mustard is what gives it that smash burger-style flavor.
- Ketchup. A little sweet, a little savory, and it rounds everything out.
- Pickle juice. This is the secret ingredient. It cuts through the richness and gives that crave-worthy tang. Dill pickle juice works best.
- Chopped pickles. For texture and flavor. I like to chop them fine so you get some in every bite. I prefer using homemade refrigerator dill pickles because they have a brighter dill flavor. Claussen dill pickles are my favorite store-bought option.
See the printable recipe card below for exact measurements.
How to Make Homemade Smash Burger Sauce
- Add ½ cup of full-fat mayonnaise to a small bowl. To that, add 1 tablespoon each of yellow mustard, ketchup, pickle juice, and finely chopped pickles.
- Mix everything together until the sauce is completely smooth and evenly combined. This should only take a minute or two. Taste the sauce. Want it tangier? Add a splash more pickle juice. Prefer it a bit sweeter? Go ahead and bump up the ketchup. This is where you can tweak it to match exactly how you like your burger sauce.
- Cover the bowl and chill the sauce in the fridge for 15 to 30 minutes, if you've got the time. The flavors really come together as it sits, but if you're in a rush, it's still delicious right away.
- Use the sauce immediately or store it in an airtight container in the fridge. It keeps well for up to a week and is perfect for burgers, sandwiches, wraps, or dipping fries. Just give it a quick stir before using if it's been in the fridge for a bit.
Optional Mix-Ins
Once your sauce is smooth and chilled, you can leave it as-is or stir in a few extras:
- Diced onions. A teaspoon or two of finely minced white or red onion adds a little bite.
- Chopped fresh herbs. Try dill, chives, or parsley.
- Garlic powder. For more of a diner-style flavor, mix in ¼ teaspoon of garlic powder.
- Hot sauce. Add a dash (or more) of your favorite hot sauce to give it some heat.
Ways to Use Smash Burger Sauce
This sauce might be made for smashburgers, but don't stop there. Here are some other ways you can use it:
- Dipping sauce for fries. Perfect with air fryer fries, air fryer sweet potato wedges, air fryer sweet potato fries, or tater tots.
- Spread for sandwiches and wraps. Slather it on a grilled chicken sandwich, turkey club, a veggie wrap, or my smoked brisket grilled cheese or air fryer Reuben sandwich.
- Drizzle over smoked meats. Try it on smoked burgers made on a Pit Boss pellet grill, smoked burgers in an electric smoker, smoked pulled pork loin, electric smoked brisket, or smoked boneless chicken thighs.
- Burger bowls. Skip the bun and drizzle it over a deconstructed smashburger salad or low-carb burger bowl with quick pickled red onions.
- Dip for veggies. Yep, this one works with raw carrots, cucumbers, and bell pepper strips.
- Sliders and party platters. Use it on smoked sliders, mini chicken burgers, Big Mac smash burger tacos, or serve it as part of a build-your-own burger board.
Jeri's Top Tips
- Chop those pickles small. After making this sauce many times, I've found that finely chopping the pickles instead of using relish gives the best texture. You get little bursts of pickle flavor throughout the sauce without making it overly sweet.
- Taste and tweak. Want more tang? Add a splash of extra pickle juice. Prefer it sweeter? A little more ketchup will do the trick. Make it your own.
- Let it chill. If you have time, let the sauce sit in the fridge for 15-30 minutes before serving. The flavors meld and mellow - totally worth the wait.
- Batch it. This sauce disappears fast - double it for burger nights, cookouts, or meal prep.
Homemade Smash Burger Sauce Variations
- Smash Burger Sauce Without Pickles. Not a pickle fan? Replace the chopped pickles with 1 teaspoon white vinegar or lemon juice. You'll still get the tangy flavor without any pickle pieces.
- Spicy Burger Sauce. Add a dash of hot sauce, a pinch of cayenne pepper, or even chopped pickled jalapeño or cowboy candy.
- Big Mac Style. Add sweet relish and paprika.
- Garlic Burger Sauce. Add a pinch of garlic powder.
- Extra pickly. Toss in an extra spoonful of chopped pickles or swap in a bit of dill relish or zucchini relish.
Storage Tips
- Transfer any leftover sauce to a small airtight container or jar with a tight-fitting lid. A glass mason jar or a reusable plastic container both work great. Store it in the refrigerator for up to 7 days.
- Before using, stir the sauce to bring it back to life-some slight separation is normal, especially if it's been chilling for a few days.
- This sauce is not freezer-friendly.
Smash Burger Sauce vs Big Mac Sauce
| Smash Burger Sauce | Big Mac Sauce |
| Tangier flavor | Sweeter flavor |
| Uses dill pickles | Uses sweet relish |
| No added sugar | Slightly sweeter |
| Great on burgers and fries | Mainly used on burgers |
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. The sauce will be slightly sweeter and more similar to a fast-food burger sauce.
Smashburger restaurants sell bottled Smash Sauce in some grocery stores and online, but making it at home is less expensive and lets you customize the flavor.
Absolutely. Just use your favorite vegan mayo.
The sauce became popular alongside smash burgers cooked on hot griddles. The creamy, tangy flavor pairs perfectly with crispy-edged burgers.
Absolutely. In fact, it tastes even better after chilling for several hours or overnight.
More Easy Homemade Sauce Recipes to Try Next
Love making your own sauces? Here are a few more to try:
Printable Recipe
Easy Smash Burger Sauce Recipe
Ingredients
- ½ cup mayonnaise (full-fat recommended)
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
- 1 tablespoon ketchup
- 1 tablespoon dill pickle juice
- 1 tablespoon dill pickles (finely chopped)
Instructions
- Add ½ cup of mayonnaise to a small mixing bowl. Stir in 1 tablespoon each of yellow mustard, ketchup, pickle juice, and finely chopped pickles. Whisk until the sauce is smooth and fully combined.
- Taste and adjust to your preference. For more tang, add a splash of extra pickle juice. For extra sweetness, increase the ketchup slightly.
- If you have time, cover the sauce and chill it in the fridge for 15-30 minutes to let the flavors come together. If you're in a rush, it's still great right away.
- Serve with burgers, sandwiches, wraps, or as a dip for fries and veggies. Store any leftovers in the fridge in a sealed container for up to 7 days. Stir before using.
Save This Recipe 💌
Enter your email below and I'll send the recipe straight to your inbox! Plus, you'll get new recipes from me each week!
Notes
- Use full-fat mayo for the creamiest texture and best flavor.
- No pickles? Use dill relish instead. It's slightly sweeter but still works well.
- Feeding a crowd? Double the recipe - it goes fast.
- Too thick after chilling? Add a splash of pickle juice to loosen it.
- Want a twist? Yellow mustard gives that classic flavor, but Dijon mustard can be used for a sharper taste.
- Storage tip: Keep refrigerated for up to 7 days. Stir before serving again.
Nutrition
The provided nutrition information is automatically calculated. Accuracy is not guaranteed.
Did you love this recipe?
Then please leave a 5-star rating and/or review below! You can also save it! Just tap the heart symbol ❤️ in the lower right corner of your screen, and the recipe will be stored in your own recipe box!📥
Comments
No Comments