Fresh burger sauce is a tasty condiment that can add flavor and moisture to your burgers. It typically consists of mayonnaise mixed with various other ingredients like ketchup, mustard, pickles, onions, relish and seasonings. The exact ingredients and ratios vary between recipes, allowing you to customize the sauce to suit your tastes. While you can buy pre-made burger sauce from the store, making it yourself at home is easy, affordable and allows you to control what goes into it. This article will provide an overview of the most common ingredients found in fresh homemade burger sauces.
Mayonnaise
Mayonnaise is the base of most homemade burger sauce recipes. It provides a creamy texture and tangy flavor. Mayonnaise is an emulsion of egg yolk, oil, vinegar or lemon juice, and salt. It can be made from scratch at home, but store-bought mayo works fine for burger sauces. When selecting mayonnaise, you can choose between full-fat, low-fat or fat-free varieties. Full-fat mayo will provide a richer, more indulgent sauce.
How much mayonnaise?
For a balanced burger sauce, mayonnaise should be used in moderation. Most recipes call for 1/4 to 1/2 cup of mayonnaise per 1 cup of total sauce. Too much mayo can make the sauce overly heavy and mask the flavors of the other ingredients. Start with less mayo and adjust to your desired consistency and tanginess.
Ketchup
Ketchup is another common ingredient in homemade burger sauce recipes. It adds sweetness, tanginess and flavor from tomatoes. Ketchup is made from tomatoes, sugar, vinegar, seasonings and spices. When making burger sauce, you can use regular tomato ketchup or try gourmet varieties like chipotle ketchup for a smoky flavor.
Ketchup amounts
Ketchup is usually used in equal or lesser amounts compared to the mayonnaise. A typical ratio for burger sauce would be 1/4 cup ketchup to 1/2 cup mayo. Too much ketchup can make the sauce too thin. Add small amounts at a time until you reach the desired tomato flavor.
Mustard
Mustard is added to burger sauce recipes for its pungent, tangy flavor. It also helps emulsify and thicken the sauce. Yellow mustard, Dijon mustard, whole grain mustard or honey mustard can all be used. Yellow mustard is the mildest option, while Dijon and whole grain mustards offer more bite.
Mustard quantities
Since mustard can be overpowering, it’s typically used sparingly in burger sauces. Start with 1-2 tablespoons of mustard per 1 cup of sauce. Adjust to taste, keeping in mind you can always add more but you can’t take it out. A little mustard goes a long way in providing flavor.
Relish
Relish refers to pickled vegetables chopped into a sauce. It provides texture, tang and flavor. Dill pickle relish is the most popular choice for burger sauce. Sweet pickle relish can also be used for a sweeter profile. Relish is made from cucumbers, vinegar, salt, mustard seed, onions and spices.
How much relish?
Use relish in moderation to avoid making your sauce too soggy. A few tablespoons per cup of sauce is usually sufficient. Start with 1-3 tablespoons of relish and add more to taste if desired. The chunks of relish add nice texture contrast.
Onions
Onions are a classic burger topping and also commonly used in burger sauce recipes. Onions add aromatic flavor, subtle sweetness and crunch when minced. You can use white, yellow, red or green onions. shallots also work well. Caramelized onions add deep, sweet flavor.
Onion quantities
Use 1-2 tablespoons of minced onion per cup of sauce. You can saute them first for deeper flavor. For chunkier texture, stir in a few tablespoons of minced raw onion. Adjust onion amount to preference.
Pickles
Chopped pickles or pickle juice are featured in many burger sauce recipes. Dill pickles, sweet pickles, bread and butter pickles, or other pickled vegetables can be used. The briny vinegar flavor complements the other ingredients. Pickle juice infuses tangy flavor into the sauce.
How to add pickles
For texture, stir 2-3 tablespoons of chopped pickles into the finished sauce. For flavor, start by adding 1 teaspoon pickle juice and adjust to taste. You can also use both pickle juice and chopped pickles together.
Worcestershire Sauce
Worcestershire sauce is made from vinegar, molasses, anchovies, tamarind and spices. It provides savory umami flavor to burger sauces. A small amount goes a long way in adding complexity.
Worcestershire sauce amounts
Use Worcestershire sauce sparingly, as the flavor can become overpowering. Start with 1/2 to 1 teaspoon per cup of sauce. Taste and slowly add more until you achieve the desired savoriness without going overboard.
Hot Sauce
For a spicy kick, stir in hot sauce like Tabasco, Cholula or sriracha. A few dashes or up to a teaspoon of hot sauce per cup of sauce provides back-of-the-throat heat and flavor. Adjust the quantity based on your desired spiciness.
Seasonings
Herbs, spices, salt, pepper and other seasonings help balance and enhance the flavor of burger sauce. Common additions include:
- Salt & pepper – enhances overall flavor
- Garlic powder – aromatic flavor
- Onion powder – savoriness
- Paprika – subtle smokiness
- Dried parsley – fresh herby notes
Use a light hand with seasonings, starting with 1/4 teaspoon of each per cup of sauce. Let flavors meld and adjust seasonings to taste.
Putting It All Together
There are endless variations for homemade burger sauce. Follow these tips for building flavor:
- Start with a base of 1/4 to 1/2 cup mayonnaise per cup of sauce
- Add ketchup and mustard for tangy flavor
- Stir in relish, onions and other vegetables for texture
- Incorporate small amounts of Worcestershire, hot sauce and pickle juice
- Season with salt, pepper and spices
- Adjust ingredient amounts based on your preferences
Tweak recipes until you create your perfect signature sauce. Make extra to keep on hand for topping burgers, sandwiches, fries and more.
Recipe
Here is a recipe for a basic homemade burger sauce to get you started:
| Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Mayonnaise | 1/2 cup |
| Ketchup | 1/4 cup |
| Yellow mustard | 1 tbsp |
| Dill pickle relish | 2 tbsp |
| Worcestershire sauce | 1 tsp |
| Hot sauce | 1/2 tsp (or to taste) |
| Minced onion | 1 tbsp |
| Garlic powder | 1/4 tsp |
| Salt & Pepper | 1/4 tsp each |
Instructions:
- In a bowl, combine the mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, relish, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce and minced onion.
- Season with garlic powder, salt and pepper.
- Stir ingredients together until fully blended.
- Taste and adjust seasonings as desired.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
- Stir again before serving.
This versatile sauce can be tweaked to suit any preferences. Try adding a sprinkle of paprika for color and flavor, a touch of sugar to balance acidity, or extra pickle juice for more tang. Have fun crafting your own signature burger sauce!
Serving Suggestions
– Spread on hamburgers and sandwiches
– Dip for fries, tater tots and onion rings
– Drizzle over cooked meat, fish and vegetables
– Use as a salad dressing or veggie dip
– Mix into tuna, chicken or egg salad
– Thin with a little milk or water to make a creamy salad dressing
– Use as a marinade or sauce for grilled meats
Homemade burger sauce is simple to prepare and allows you to take your burgers and other dishes to the next level of flavor. With an endless combination of ingredients, you can customize the perfect sauce for your tastes.
Storage
Properly stored burger sauce will last 5-7 days refrigerated. For best quality and food safety:
- Refrigerate sauce in a sealed container after preparing
- Do not store sauce at room temperature
- Use clean utensils to remove sauce to avoid contamination
- Do not return unused sauce from plates back into the storage container
- Consume leftover sauce within 5-7 days
You can also freeze burger sauce for longer term storage. Freeze in an airtight container for 2-3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before using.
Conclusion
With just a few common ingredients and easy mixing, you can prepare flavorful homemade burger sauce from scratch. Experiment with different condiment ratios and mix-ins until you craft the perfect sauce. Make a batch to keep on hand for elevating everyday meals. A flavorful housemade burger sauce takes burgers, sandwiches, fries and more to the next level of deliciousness.