This homemade smashburger sauce takes just five minutes to make with ingredients you probably have in the fridge. It's tangy, smoky, and a little sweet. This is a burger sauce you'll end up putting it on everything.
This is the sauce that surprised me. I had people at my table who'll tell you, flat out, that they don't like burger sauce. This one turned them all around.
It's creamy and tangy with a little smoke, and just enough sweetness to round it off.
It comes together in about 5 minutes. I like to make it ahead so the flavors have a chance to combine, but you can stir it together while the burgers rest if needed.
The Ingredients - Why This Sauce Wins People Over
The reason this burger sauce is so good is that it is balanced. You don't taste any one ingredient. It's just a really good sauce.
Use dill pickles, not sweet. I like Bubbies pickles. Don't skip the brine. It is loaded with flavor, and also helps loosen the sauce.
I don't recommend subbing in yellow mustard for the Dijon. Dijon is sharper and balances the smoked paprika instead of fighting it.
The hot sauce is optional, but I encourage you to give it a try. A tablespoon gives you a subtle heat that isn't overwhelming.
Put it on everything
You'll make this for your burgers, but find yourself putting it on everything. At our house, we love it as a fry-dipping sauce, on sandwiches and wraps, and even as a dip for popcorn chicken. Once you make it you will keep putting it on everything.
Make it ahead and tweak it to taste
The sauce keeps in an airtight container in the fridge for about five days. Give it a stir before serving if it separates.
Taste it before it goes in the fridge, but know that the cold is going the mellow the flavors. If you want it tangier, you can add more pickle brine. Add more ketchup to make it sweeter. Mayo will make it thicker and more brine will make it thinner, but I like to wait until just before serving to adjust texture.
How to Make Smashburger Sauce
Add the mayo, Dijon, ketchup, chopped pickle, pickle brine, hot sauce, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper to a small bowl.
Stir until smooth.
Cover and refrigerate until you're ready to serve.
Homemade Smashburger Sauce Recipe
Ingredients
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped dill pickle
- 1 tablespoon pickle brine
- 1 tablespoon hot sauce optional; adjust heat to taste
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- In a small bowl combine the mayonnaise, dijon mustard, ketchup, dill pickle, pickle brine, hot sauce, salt, smoked paprika, and pepper. Stir to combine.
- Refrigerate until ready to serve.
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