This easy burger sauce is our go-to recipe for a tangy, creamy topping that elevates any burger. Skip the store-bought bottles full of additives—this simple homemade version comes together in minutes with ingredients you probably already have in the fridge.
Go-To Burger Sauce
If you love a classic, well-balanced burger sauce—creamy with a touch of tang—this recipe is for you. It’s versatile, fast to prepare, and perfect on beef, turkey, salmon or plant-based patties. Use it as a spread or a dip for fries and snacks.
What Does Burger Sauce Taste Like?
Burger sauce is tangy, creamy, and slightly sweet, with a hint of pickle tang and a mild smoky-spice background. It pairs beautifully with rich, savory burgers and adds a bright finish to sandwiches and dips.
Burger Sauce Ingredients
This recipe uses only ten common ingredients. You may already have most of them on hand. For one batch you will need:
- 1/2 cup Greek yogurt
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise (regular or avocado mayo)
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 tablespoons pickle juice (use dill or bread-and-butter for a sweeter result)
- 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 1/2 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
Try it with
Homemade Burgers
Pair this burger sauce with caramelized onions and your favorite burger recipe for a classic, crowd-pleasing sandwich.
How to Make Burger Sauce
This sauce takes about five minutes to prepare. No cooking required—just mix and chill.
All the Ingredients in One Bowl
Combine the Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, garlic powder, pickle juice, smoked paprika, chili powder, ketchup, lemon juice, salt and pepper in a medium bowl. Whisk until the mixture is smooth and evenly combined.
Top Burgers with Sauce
Spoon about 2 tablespoons of sauce onto each cooked burger patty, or spread it on the bun. It also works wonderfully as a dipping sauce for fries, chips and vegetables.
Making a Large Batch?
Serving a group? Double or triple the ingredients and store the sauce in a sealed jar in the refrigerator. It keeps well and is handy for picnics or barbecue gatherings.
How to Serve Burger Sauce
This recipe is multi-purpose. Use it as a spread for burgers and sandwiches or as a dip alongside your sides.
- Dip: Serve with fries, potato wedges, sliced vegetables, chips or crackers.
- Sauce: Slather on homemade beef burgers, turkey burgers, black bean or quinoa patties, salmon burgers, or any sandwich that could use a creamy, tangy boost.
Top Tips for Burger Sauce
- Scale it up: This sauce multiplies easily—double or triple for parties. Keep it chilled in a jar and serve with a spoon.
- Adjust sweetness or heat: Use bread-and-butter pickle juice for a sweeter flavor or a spicy pickle juice to add heat. Increase chili powder or add a dash of hot sauce if you want more kick.
- Dairy-free option: Substitute the Greek yogurt with a plain dairy-free yogurt to make a dairy-free version while maintaining creaminess.
- Texture: If you prefer a thinner sauce, add a little more pickle juice or a teaspoon of water until you reach the desired consistency.
Burger Sauce FAQs
What is burger sauce made of?
Classic burger sauce mixes creamy ingredients such as yogurt or mayonnaise with ketchup and seasonings, plus a small amount of pickle juice or vinegar for tang.
What sauce goes best with a burger?
A balanced burger sauce—creamy, tangy and slightly sweet—is a favorite. It complements beef, chicken, fish and vegetarian patties alike.
Is Big Mac sauce the same as burger sauce?
Big Mac sauce is a specific style of burger sauce; many homemade burger sauces are similar and can be adjusted to taste.
Storage
How long does burger sauce last?
Store the sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. If liquid separates or pools on top, stir before serving.
More Favorite Burger Recipes
- Homemade Burgers
- The Best Turkey Burgers
- Black Bean & Quinoa Burgers
- Ground Chicken Burgers
- Lemon Dill Salmon Burgers
- Mexican-Style Juicy Lucys
Burger Sauce Recipe
Prep time: 5 minutes • Total time: 5 minutes • Serves: 4
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup Greek yogurt
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise (or avocado mayonnaise)
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 tablespoons pickle juice
- 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 1/2 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a mixing bowl and whisk until smooth and well blended. Taste and adjust salt, lemon or pickle juice to preference.
- Refrigerate the sauce until ready to use to let the flavors meld—though it can be served immediately.
- Top each cooked burger patty with about 2 tablespoons of sauce or use it as a dip for fries and vegetables.
Notes
This sauce is shown with homemade burgers and caramelized onions, but it complements a wide range of sandwiches and snacks. Nutrition per serving (approximate): 72 kcal, 3 g carbs, 3 g protein, 5 g fat.