In-N-Out Sauce Recipe
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Make this copycat In-N-Out Sauce at home using my easy recipe. Use it over burgers, sandwiches, pizzas, and burritos.
Here are some more homemade sauce recipes: Asian Zing Sauce, Lemon Herb Tahini Sauce, Bang Bang Sauce, Cilantro Garlic Sauce, and Hibachi Mustard Sauce.
A Quick Look At This In-N-Out Sauce Recipe
- Prep Time: 2 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 minutes
- Resting Time: 1 hour
- Total Time: 1 hour 4 minutes
- Serves: About 1 cup
- Cuisine: American
- Course: Condiment / Sauce
- Diet: Vegetarian
- Skill Level: Beginner
- Equipment: Mixing Bowl, Whisk or Spoon, Measuring Spoons
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Why You’ll Love This Family Favorite Recipe!
- Iconic fast-food flavor at home: That creamy, tangy, slightly sweet taste without leaving your kitchen.
- No cooking required: Just mix and it’s ready in minutes.
- Perfect copycat sauce: Tastes incredibly close to the original burger spread.
- Versatile: Use it on burgers, fries, sandwiches, wraps, or as a dipping sauce.
- Customizable: Adjust sweetness, tang, or spice to match your preference.
- Better than store-bought: Fresh, preservative-free, and made with pantry staples.
Table of Contents
During our stay on the West Coast (LA), we used to go to In-N-Out Burger multiple times a month. For Mohit and me, their super cheap and yet very delicious burgers pulled us to the chain on repeat; for Bhavye, it was the outlet’s location. The one near us was just next to LAX. Bhavye would sit on the bench, watch airplanes land, and take off for hours.
What made In-N-Out burgers so delicious was their secret sauce. After trying it multiple times at home, I have a copycat recipe very similar to the fast-food chain’s sauce.
About In-N-Out Sauce
In-N-Out Sauce is a mayonnaise-based burger sauce used by the fast food chain In-N-Out Burger. It is often called “spread” and is one of the keys to their signature flavor.
The recipe is a secret, but it is often compared to Thousand Island dressing. It is a mix of mayonnaise, ketchup, sweet relish, Worcestershire sauce, and other ingredients.
Vinegar sharpens the richness of mayonnaise, Relish adds texture and sweetness, and ketchup brings umami and tomato depth. This sauce is typically served with their burgers and fries.
Since they don’t sell their secret sauce, the only way to enjoy it without going to the outlet is to make it yourself!
Ingredients
This In-N-Out sauce recipe uses a few simple ingredients that are readily available at every grocery store.
Mayonnaise – It makes the base of the sauce. Use full-fat mayonnaise for the best taste.
Ketchup – It gives a nice tang to the sauce.
Others – You will also need sweet pickle relish, white vinegar, granulated white sugar, plain paprika, yellow mustard, and salt to make this copycat In-N-Out sauce recipe.
You can also use white wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar for a deeper flavor.
How To Make In-and-Out Copycat Burger Sauce
Step 1: Combine the following ingredients in a medium bowl.
- ½ cup of mayonnaise
- 3 tablespoons of ketchup
- 2 tablespoons of sweet pickle relish
- 1 and ½ teaspoons of distilled white vinegar
- 1 and ½ teaspoons of granulated white sugar
- ½ teaspoon of paprika
- ¼ teaspoon of yellow mustard
- A pinch of salt
Step 2: Stir until well mixed.
Step 3: Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving to allow the flavors to meld.
Step 4: Use as desired!
In-N-Out Sauce FAQs
Chilling allows acids and fats to emulsify, creating the classic smoothness of burger sauce.
You can reduce or omit sugar, but it will slightly change the signature fast-food flavor profile.
Not exactly. While Thousand Island dressing often includes eggs and olives, In-N-Out–style sauce is simpler, tangier, and explicitly designed for burgers rather than salads.
Variations
Add hot sauce, cayenne pepper, or red pepper flakes to the recipe for a spicy kick.
Add more sugar or some honey to make it sweeter.
To make the In-N-Out sauce creamier, add some unsweetened whipping cream.
Replace the mayonnaise in the original recipe with vegan mayonnaise to make it vegan-friendly.
Add some smoked paprika for a smoky flavor.
Mix in some BBQ sauce to the original recipe to add BBQ flavor.
Add minced garlic or garlic powder to this delicious sauce recipe for a garlicky twist.
Usage Ideas
The most obvious way to use In-N-Out copycat sauce is as a topping for a homemade burger. It adds a tangy, sweet, savory flavor that complements the meat.
Spread it on a grilled cheese sandwich, pizza, wrap, or burrito for a twist on the classic.
It’s also excellent as a dipping sauce for raw vegetables, French fries, potato wedges, sweet potato fries, or onion rings.
Use this tangy sauce as a marinade for grilled or baked chicken.
Mix it with vinegar and use it as a salad dressing.
Drizzle over fish tacos, hot dogs, roasted vegetables, etc., for a tangy zip.
Storage Suggestions
This In-N-Out burger spread keeps well in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to a week. Stir well before using, as the sauce may separate after some time.
You can also freeze the leftover sauce in small, single-serve, sealed containers for up to a month. Thaw and serve.
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In-N-Out Sauce Recipe
Ingredients
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 2 tablespoons sweet pickle relish
- 1 and ½ teaspoons distilled white vinegar
- 1 and ½ teaspoons granulated white sugar
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon mustard
- 1 pinch salt
Instructions
- Combine all the ingredients in a mixing bowl.
- Stir until well mixed.
- Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least an hour before serving to allow the flavors to meld together.
- Use the copycat In-N-Out sauce as desired.