Smash Burger Sauce (2024)

This make-ahead creamy, tangy smash burger sauce comes together in less than ten minutes!

A classic smashburger (you know, the type of burger with thin, crispy edges and a juicy interior) needs a special sauce, and this smashburger sauce inspired by the Shake Shack burger sauce hits the spot. Plus, It's a simple and easy way to elevate your burger game.

Impossible Smash Burgers

These vegetarian smash burgers are a delicious take on the classic, starring crispy smashed Impossible meat patties, and all the fixings.

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Smash Burger Sauce (1)

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What is in The Sauce?

While Shake Shack won't reveal their *exact* recipe for the shack sauce, according to Bon Appetit, they reveal a rough template to work off of. Their recipe calls for: ½ cup Hellman’s mayonnaise, 1 Tbsp. Dijon mustard, ¾ tsp. Heinz ketchup, ¼ tsp. kosher dill pickling brine, and a pinch of cayenne pepper.

Table of ContentsHide

  • What is in The Sauce?
  • Why You'll Love This Recipe
  • Key Ingredients
  • How to Make Smash Burger Sauce
  • Switch it Up
  • Storage and Make-Ahead Instructions
  • FAQ
  • Other recipes you might like:
  • Jump to Recipe Instructions

I started with their base recipe but adjusted the ratios to my own taste preference. For example, I upped the ketchup and pickle brine, and I seasoned generously with salt and pepper. Otherwise, the recipe is quite similar.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

My version is just as easy and straightforward -- and it's infinitely customizable. When researching this recipe, I noticed several other online versions including other ingredients, such as Worcestershire sauce or finely chopped pickles. I like to keep it simple, but you can absolutely change it up as you like. I debated adding finely chopped pickles for a bit of texture, but because I typically add pickles in my own smashburger recipe, I didn't feel this was necessary.

Key Ingredients

Smash Burger Sauce (3)
  • Mayonnaise: Mayonnaise serves as the base for this sauce. It's creamy texture cuts through the flavors of the juicy, salty burger.
  • Dijon Mustard: A bit of dijon mustard adds a little bit of spice and tang.
  • Ketchup: Ketchup imparts a light pink hue to the sauce, while also providing sweetness and umami.
  • Dill Pickle Brine: The brine from a jar of dill pickles is salty and sour, and it helps contrast the fatty, creamy flavors of the mayonnaise. If you don't have pickle brine, you can use lemon juice or apple cider vinegar.
  • Cayenne Pepper: Just a pinch of cayenne pepper provides some heat to the sauce. Feel free to add more if you like it spicy!

How to Make Smash Burger Sauce

Making homemade smash burger sauce couldn't be easier.

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Step 1: Add all of the ingredients, including the mayonnaise, mustard, ketchup, dill pickle brine, and cayenne pepper into a small bowl.

Step 2: Mix everything together...and season with salt and pepper. on the products you use and your own flavor preference, you may want something sweeter, spicier, or saltier. So don't be afraid to change things up as you like it!

Switch it Up

There are endless ways of switching up this sauce to suit your mood!

  • For more umami: Before adding the salt and pepper, stir in a ½ teaspoon of fish sauce or 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce into the sauce and season to taste.
  • For a garlicky twist: Add in 1 small clove grated garlic.
  • For an oniony twist: Add 1 tablespoon finely minced white onion or shallot.
  • For a smoky twist: Substitute the cayenne pepper for ¼ teaspoon chipotle chile powder.

Storage and Make-Ahead Instructions

The smashburger sauce will last up to a week in the fridge stored in an airtight container. You can easily make this ahead of time and warm to room temperature before serving.

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FAQ

What else can I use this sauce for, other than burgers?

This sauce makes a great dipping sauce for fries or any type of crispy potato dish! Sweet potato fries would be great with this too, as would fried fish.

Did you try this recipe? I would love to hear your feedback! Be sure to rate the recipe and leave a comment below.

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Happy eating! Love, Karishma

Print RecipeSHOP INGREDIENTS

Smash Burger Sauce

5 from 6 votes

4 comments

This easy, creamy and tangy make-ahead smash burger sauce is inspired by the classic Shake Shack sauce recipe.

Yields: 6 servings

Prep Time 8 minutes minutes

Total Time 8 minutes minutes

Ingredients

  • ½ cup full-fat mayonnaise, such as Hellman's or Kewpie Mayo
  • 1 tablespoon dijon mustard
  • 2 teaspoons ketchup
  • 1 teaspoon kosher dill pickle brine
  • teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • Salt and black pepper

Instructions

  • Mix the ½ cup full-fat mayonnaise, 1 tablespoon dijon mustard, 2 teaspoons ketchup, 1 teaspoon kosher dill pickle brine, and ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper in a small bowl until combined.

  • Taste and season with Salt and black pepper.

Notes

  • Leftover smashburger sauce can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to one week.
  • The sauce should taste creamy and well-seasoned with a hint of spice and tanginess. Want it tangier? Add more pickle brine. Want it spicier? Add more cayenne pepper. Want it sweeter? Add a bit more ketchup.

Nutrition

Calories: 131kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 0.3g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 8g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.03g | Cholesterol: 8mg | Sodium: 173mg | Potassium: 13mg | Fiber: 0.1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 40IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 3mg | Iron: 0.1mg

The nutritional information on this website is only an estimate and is provided for convenience and as a courtesy only. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.

Smash Burger Sauce (12)

Welcome! I'm Karishma.

I founded the Home Cooking Collective, which offers a diverse collection of cozy, flavorful, small-batch recipes made from scratch. Let's cook together!

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Reader Interactions

5 from 6 votes (4 ratings without comment)

Join the Conversation

  1. Tressa

    Smash Burger Sauce (13)
    I made this sauce tonight with our burgers and it was spot on. Thanks for the recipe!

    Reply

    • Karishma

      Hi Tressa, thanks so much for writing a comment! So glad you enjoyed!

      Reply

  2. Emily

    Smash Burger Sauce (14)
    Absolutely delicious. Brings your burger to the next level!

    Reply

    • Karishma

      Hi Emily, thank you for the review! So glad you enjoyed 🙂

      Reply

Smash Burger Sauce (2024)

FAQs

What is smash sauce made of? ›

Mix the ½ cup full-fat mayonnaise, 1 tablespoon dijon mustard, 2 teaspoons ketchup, 1 teaspoon kosher dill pickle brine, and ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper in a small bowl until combined. Taste and season with Salt and black pepper.

What is secret sauce about? ›

Follows fry cook and cashier Todd Graves, as he meets different people and learns about their paths to success, inspiring viewers to pursue their dreams.

Why do smash burgers taste so good? ›

Smashing the burger results in a sear on the outside of the meat, which locks in all of the juices and flavor. This method also helps to prevent flare-ups on the grill or griddle, as there is less surface area for the fat to drip onto the heat source.

Why are smash burgers smashed? ›

A smash burger is a thin beef patty cooked on a super-hot griddle. The burger is smashed down, usually with a spatula, to increase browning and craggy bits on the surface for extra flavor. The smashing technique has been around for a while but was further popularized by the Smashburger chain founded in Denver in 2007.

Does smash burger use real meat? ›

We take great pride in using only the finest beef for our burgers, which is sourced from family-owned farms and ranches throughout the United States, such as Walter Angus located near our Colorado headquarters. These farms share our commitment to sustainable, climate-friendly practices and humane animal care.

What is secret sauce made of? ›

What is a secret sauce made of? There are many variations of secret, or special, sauce. Generally, they consist of a base of mayonnaise, ketchup, and relish. Other ingredients like mustard, vinegar, or Worcestershire are often added.

What is McDonald's Big Mac sauce made of? ›

Ingredients: Soybean Oil, Sweet Relish (diced Pickles, Sugar, High Fructose Corn Syrup, Distilled Vinegar, Salt, Corn Syrup, Xanthan Gum, Calcium Chloride, Spice Extractives), Water, Egg Yolks, Distilled Vinegar, Spices, Onion Powder, Salt, Propylene Glycol Alginate, Garlic Powder, Vegetable Protein (hydrolyzed Corn, ...

Is McDonald's secret sauce Thousand Island? ›

The answer is no… but they are similar. Both of the condiments have a creamy consistency and include pickle relish. But, McDonald's Big Mac Sauce includes vinegar and has a bit more pickle relish in it than Thousand Island dressing.

What is the secret to a good smash burger? ›

Minced chuck steak is gold for Smash Burger. Secondly, it's the smash that really makes it. When you smash the burgers down on a super-hot grill, the fat has nowhere to go but back up into the burger patty meaning you're essentially cooking your burger in its own beefy juices.

How unhealthy is a smash burger? ›

With 70 percent of your daily max of recommended sodium, 113 percent of the daily fat max and 145 percent of the daily saturated fat max (based on a 2,000-calorie diet), this seemingly healthier burger is way out of calorie, fat and sodium control!

Why do people put mustard on smash burgers? ›

In-N-Out places its burger patties on the flat-top griddle then spreads about a teaspoon or two of yellow mustard on the uncooked side just before flipping. The mustard caramelizes on the griddle, softening that piquant quality mustard can have, and creating an even crispier crust as the burger patties get smashed.

Do you cook smash burgers on high or low heat? ›

Preheat on high heat for 10-15 minutes, looking for a surface temperature of 400-425 degrees F. To test the surface, sprinkle a few drops of water on top of the surface; they should “dance” rapidly across the hot surface, evaporating in moments.

How do you keep a smash burger juicy? ›

Use a hard spatula or fish turner to scrape and flip the burgers. Cook for another 60-90 seconds on the second side. Aside from the initial smash, avoid pressing down on the patties during cooking, as this can release the juices and result in a drier burger. Remove the burgers and place them on a cutting board.

How do you make smash burgers not fall apart? ›

Set skillet over medium heat and allow to preheat for about 5 minutes. Meanwhile, gently form each portion of ground beef into a cylindrical puck about 2 inches tall, pressing together just until meat holds its shape without falling apart.

What is the smash sauce at Sonic? ›

Smash Sauce is a simple mayonnaise-based sauce with plenty of yellow mustard thrown into the mix, a few chopped dill pickles, and some pickle juice for an additional tang.

What does a Smashburger consist of? ›

They're minced beef and salt, smashed flat over a searingly hot flat-grill until you get a crispy, craggy-edged, asymmetric, cooked-through patty that's juicy, caramelised, beefy and, frankly, the best burger you're ever going eat.

What is break sauce? ›

A broken sauce is generally caused by the separation of sauces into two components: a watery liquid and an oily film on top. This happens when there's too much fat or liquid in the mixture. This can happen when there are not enough emulsifiers (which help keep your ingredients together).

What is the Whataburger sauce called? ›

Whataburger sauces nutritional value
SauceCalories (per serving)Sodium (mg)
Buffalo Sauce20440
Honey Butter Sauce12045
Picante Sauce10150
Salsa Verde5140
9 more rows
Mar 21, 2024

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