I still remember the first time I tried an In-N-Out burger on a road trip. The burger itself was great, but the sauce was what really stood out to me. It had that creamy, tangy flavor that somehow worked perfectly with the fresh toppings and grilled beef.
After making burgers at home for years, I finally started testing my own In-N-Out Burger Sauce copycat version of the famous In-N-Out spread. I made several batches and many mistakes along the way.
Eddie’s Tip! I am really close to the flavor I was looking for.
The best part is that this sauce takes only a few minutes to make with simple ingredients most people already have in the fridge.
In-N-Out Burger Dressing Recipe
Although I describe the recipe in my copycat Flying Dutchman burger recipe, I see people who are just looking for the sauce. So, here it is!
- 1/2 Cup Mayo
- 2 Tbsp Ketchup
- 2 Tbsp Sweet Relish
- 2 Tbsp Mustard
- 1 Tbsp Worcestershire
- 1 Tsp Apple cider vinegar
- 1 Tsp White vinegar
- 1 Tsp Salt
- 1 Tsp Pepper
After putting all the ingredients in a bowl, I use a whisk to make sure they are all mixed very well.
Eddie’s Tip! In my opinion, it taste better after a few hours in the refrigerator.
In-N-Out Burger sauce recipe copycat
Equipment
- 1 Bowl
- 1 Whsk Fork
Ingredients
- 1/2 Cup Mayonaisse
- 2 tbsp Ketchup
- 2 tbsp Sweet Relish
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp Apple Cider Vinegar
- 1 tsp White vinegar
- 1 tsp Salt
- 1 tsp Pepper
Instructions
- Put all ingredients in a bowl
- Mix with a whisk or fork
- Refrigerator for a minimum of 2 hours
Notes
In N Out Burger Sauce Copycat Recipe
What you need for the Flying Dutchman Burger Sauce Recipe:- 1/2 Cup Mayo
- 2 Tbsp Ketchup
- 2 Tbsp Sweet Relish
- 2 Tbsp Mustard
- 1 Tbsp Worcestershire
- 1 Tsp Apple cider vinegar
- 1 Tsp White vinegar
- 1 Tsp Salt
- 1 Tsp Pepper
What Does In-N-Out Burger Sauce Taste Like?
This sauce is creamy, tangy, slightly sweet, and packed with classic burger flavor. It reminds me a little of Thousand Island dressing, but not as heavy or overly sweet. The pickle relish gives it a fresh tangy bite while the ketchup and mayo balance everything out. When it is right, the sauce has that smooth burger-joint flavor that works on almost anything coming off the grill.What To Avoid
The first thing I noticed when testing this recipe was how important the balance is.- Too much ketchup makes it taste sugary.
- Too much relish can overpower the whole sauce fast.
Nutrition
What Does In-N-Out Burger Sauce Taste Like?
This sauce is creamy, tangy, slightly sweet, and packed with classic burger flavor.
It reminds me a little of Thousand Island dressing, but not as heavy or overly sweet. The pickle relish gives it a fresh tangy bite while the ketchup and mayo balance everything out.
When it is right, the sauce has that smooth burger-joint flavor that works on almost anything coming off the grill.
What To Avoid
The first thing I noticed when testing this recipe was how important the balance is.
- Too much ketchup makes it taste sugary.
- Too much relish can overpower the whole sauce fast.
What To Serve With In-N-Out Spread
The thing I like most about this sauce is that it is not only for the Flying Dutchman burgers. I end up using it on all kinds of BBQ food once I make a batch.
Burgers
This sauce was made for Flying Dutchman burgers, a backyard burger with grilled onions.
I especially like it also on:
- smash burgers
- double cheeseburgers
- grilled onion burgers
- slider burgers
- Blackstone burgers
This sauce works great for easy backyard burgers and other classic BBQ basics.
Fries And Potato Wedges
This sauce makes a great dipping sauce for fries.
I have used it with:
- Crispy French fries
- Waffle fries
- Potato wedges
- Tater tots
Sometimes I even add a little extra black pepper or smoked paprika when serving it with fries.
Sandwiches And Wraps
I started using leftover sauce on sandwiches one day instead of plain mayonnaise.
It works well on:
- Chicken sandwiches
- Wraps
- Deli sandwiches
- Grilled ham and cheese
- Turkey burgers
Chicken And BBQ
This surprised me the most.
The sauce actually tastes great with grilled chicken and smoked BBQ sandwiches too. I have even used it on pulled pork sliders when I wanted something creamy but different from regular BBQ sauce.
Eddie’s Tip! Freshly mixed, this sauce tastes fine, but the chilled sauce tastes much closer to the real thing.
Freshly mixed, this sauce tastes fine, but the chilled sauce tastes much closer to the real thing.
How Long Does In-N-Out Sauce Last?
Since this is a mayo-based sauce, I usually keep it in the refrigerator for about 4 to 5 days.
I do not recommend leaving it sitting outside too long during cookouts, especially in hot weather.
If the sauce starts smelling sour or separates badly, it is time to throw it out and make a fresh batch.
Honestly, mine rarely lasts that long because it disappears fast around here.
Best Way To Store Burger Sauce
I usually store this sauce in:
- A mason jar.
- An airtight food container
- A squeeze bottle for easy burger prep
Eddie’s Tip! A squeeze bottle is my favorite option because it makes burger night much less messy.
Easy Ways To Change The Flavor
One thing I like about this homemade burger sauce is how easy it is to customize.
Make It Spicier
Add some of these ingredients:
- Hot sauce
- Cayenne pepper
- Diced jalapeños
- Chipotle powder
Eddie’s Tip! My favorite is Chipotle powder, it gives it a nice smoky heat without overpowering the burger.
Add More Smoke Flavor
For backyard BBQ flavor, try adding:
- Smoked paprika
- A tiny splash of liquid smoke
- Smoked pickle relish
Go easy on the liquid smoke. I learned that lesson the hard way.
Make It Sweeter
If you like a sweeter burger sauce, add:
- Extra ketchup
- Sweet pickle relish
- A small drizzle of honey
Thin It For Drizzling
A tiny splash of pickle juice or milk helps thin the sauce for:
- Burger wraps
- Loaded fries
- Burger bowls
Common Mistakes When Making Burger Sauce
I have made plenty of mistakes while trying to find the perfect copycat In-N-Out Burger sauce recipe. Here are some of the ones I made,
Using Too Much Relish
Too much relish can completely take over the sauce.
I made that mistake on one test batch, and it tasted more like tartar sauce than burger sauce.
Skipping Chill Time
The flavor changes a lot after chilling. Give it at least 30 minutes in the fridge if possible.
Adding Too Much Vinegar
A little tang is good. Too much makes the sauce sharp and overpowering.
Overcomplicating The Recipe
One thing I learned after testing copycat sauces is that simpler usually tastes closer to the original.
Eddie’s Tip! Too many spices can make it taste homemade in the wrong way.
In-N-Out Burger Sauce Recipe Copycat – My Experience
This homemade In-N-Out burger sauce recipe has become one of my favorite quick burger toppings to make at home.
It is simple, cheap, and works on way more than just burgers. Once you start making your own burger sauce, it is hard to go back to plain ketchup and mayo.
I usually keep a small jar in the fridge during grilling season because it works with almost every quick backyard meal I make.
I tested this sauce on Flying Dutchman burgers first because that felt closest to the original style. What surprised me most was how much the chill time mattered.
The flavor was completely different after sitting overnight in the fridge.
I also found that toasted buns made a huge difference. The sauce really stands out more when paired with crispy edges on a burger and a soft toasted bun.
My family started dipping fries into it almost immediately, which usually tells me a recipe is worth keeping around.
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Eddie van Aken – The Grilling Dutchman
Eddie van Aken is the founder of The Grilling Dutchman, where he teaches practical, no-nonsense BBQ and outdoor cooking. With years of hands-on experience working with grills, smokers, and live fire, he focuses on techniques that actually work in real backyards.
When he’s not cooking, Eddie tests and reviews outdoor gear and equipment for PracticalBackyard.com. Learn more about Eddie van Aken.