6 Burger and Sandwich Sauces
Classic burger sauce, garlic aioli, honey mustard, sriracha mayo, pesto mayo and BBQ ranch. Five minutes each.
A great sauce can turn a plain turkey sandwich or a weeknight burger into something you look forward to. All six start with ingredients you probably already have, and each takes about five minutes.
Make a couple at the start of the week and keep them in small jars: they are good on burgers, sandwiches, wraps, fries and roasted vegetables.
Classic burger sauce
About 3/4 cup
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
- 2 tablespoons chopped dill pickles
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
Stir together and rest for 30 minutes if you can.
Good with: Smash burgers, sliders, friesFull recipe
Garlic aioli
About 1/2 cup
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1 small garlic clove, finely grated
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1 pinch salt
Mix and let stand for 10 minutes so the garlic mellows.
Good with: Chicken sandwiches, roasted potatoes, turkey clubs
Honey mustard
About 1/2 cup
- 1/4 cup Dijon mustard
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
Whisk until smooth. Use more honey for a sweeter sauce.
Good with: Ham and cheese sliders, chicken wraps, pretzels
Sriracha mayo
About 1/2 cup
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1 to 2 tablespoons sriracha
- 1 teaspoon lime juice
Stir together, starting with less sriracha and adding to taste.
Good with: Crispy chicken sandwiches, fish, rice bowls
Pesto mayo
About 1/2 cup
- 1/3 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons basil pesto
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
Mix. Add more pesto for a greener, stronger sauce.
Good with: Turkey sandwiches, grilled chicken, tomato sandwiches
Smoky BBQ ranch
About 1/2 cup
- 1/3 cup ranch dressing
- 2 tablespoons barbecue sauce
- 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
Stir together until evenly colored.
Good with: BBQ chicken sliders, burgers, fries
Storage
Keep homemade sauces in covered jars in the refrigerator. Mayonnaise-, yogurt- and dairy-based sauces are best within 4 to 5 days; oil-and-vinegar sauces keep about a week. If a sauce smells off or looks moldy, throw it out.
Lighter swaps
Replace half of the mayonnaise in any of these with plain Greek yogurt. The sauce will be tangier and a little thinner.
Questions, answered
What sauces go on burgers?
Burger sauce, garlic aioli, sriracha mayo and BBQ ranch are all popular. A creamy sauce with some tang balances the richness of the beef.
Can I make these sauces without mayonnaise?
Yes. Use plain Greek yogurt or sour cream, and add a teaspoon of olive oil for richness.
