Punchy Burger Sauce (Creamy, Tangy & Way Better Than Store-Bought)
This Punchy Burger Sauce is creamy, tangy, a little spicy, and packed with pickles — the kind of sauce that turns a good burger into a great one.
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I love burgers. I mean it.
Smash burgers tend to be my fave, but I'll eat just about any burger that's in front of me. I’ve built more variations than I can count, and I'm constantly looking for ways to sneak burgers into as many meals as I can (don't believe me? Check out my Big Mac Rice Paper Spirals, Big Mac Croissant, Cheeseburger Spring Rolls...)
And here’s what I’ll tell you after years of making burgers in every form:
A burger is only as good as its sauce.
You can have perfectly seasoned beef, melted, cheese, toasted buns, but if the sauce is bland...the whole thing falls flat.
This is the sauce I keep coming back to.
It’s creamy from mayo and Greek yogurt, tangy from Dijon, sweet and punchy from ketchup, and loaded with chopped pickles and just enough heat to wake everything up.
This is the one.
Why this Punchy Burger Sauce works
Using both mayonnaise and Greek yogurt keeps it creamy but slightly lighter. Dijon adds sharpness while yellow mustard brings classic burger flavor. Pickles and pickle juice add acidity and texture. A short chill lets everything tighten and deepen.
"This is exactly what my burgers have always needed. I'm so happy to have found this sauce recipe!"
- Dan (email subscriber)
Recipe
Punchy Burger Sauce (Creamy, Tangy & Way Better Than Store-Bought)
Ingredients
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup plain Greek yogurt
- ½ cup ketchup
- 3 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
- ½ –1 tablespoon hot sauce to taste
- ¼ cup finely chopped pickles
- ½ –1 tablespoon pickle juice
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Whisk: Whisk together ¼ cup mayonnaise and ¼ cup Greek yogurt until smooth.
- Stir: Stir in ½ cup ketchup, 3 tablespoon Dijon mustard, and 1 tablespoon yellow mustard until combined.
- Fold: Fold in ½–1 tablespoon hot sauce, ¼ cup chopped pickles, and ½–1 tablespoon pickle juice.
- Season: Add ¼ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon black pepper, taste, and adjust as needed.
- Chill: Refrigerate for 20–30 minutes before serving so the flavors tighten and deepen.
Notes
- Don’t skip the chill time, it really does make a difference.
- This sauce is super forgiving and gives you plenty of opportunity to make it your own. If you like it sharper, add a splash more pickle juice. If you like it sweeter, bump up the ketchup slightly.
- Finely chop your pickles. Big chunks throw off the texture.
- This is also delicious on fries...just saying.
Nutrition
Frequently Asked Questions for the Punchy Burger Sauce
It’s in the same family but punchier and fresher. Less sweet, more balanced.
Yes. It keeps well in the fridge for 4–5 days.
You can. It’ll be richer and heavier, but still great.
Classic dill pickles are ideal. Avoid sweet pickles for this version.
Absolutely. Add more hot sauce or a pinch of cayenne.
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