Special Sauce

Whether you refer to it as special sauce, burger sauce, fry sauce, fancy sauce, or even secret sauce, this creamy and tangy sauce is one of the most versatile ways to add a burst of flavor to dinner. With everyday ingredients found in your fridge and pantry, it offers a medley of flavors to punch up burgers, fries, and more! This easy Special Sauce recipe takes only 5 minutes to make!

Jump to:

• What Makes this Creamy Condiment Unique?
• Ingredients Needed to Make Special Sauce
• How to Make Special Sauce
• Creative Uses for Special Sauce
• Essential Tools for Making Special Sauce
• More Delicious Sauce Recipes to Explore
• Special Sauce

What Makes this Creamy Condiment Unique?

The base of Special Sauce starts with a classic pink sauce of creamy mayonnaise and ketchup. This classic combination is elevated with a measure of briny dill pickle relish, zesty white vinegar, dried dill, and a dash of spice from Dijon mustard, paprika, garlic powder, and cracked black pepper. The resulting sauce is creamy and tangy, offering a touch of sweetness and heat that makes this gourmet condiment thoroughly irresistible!

Ingredients Needed to Make Special Sauce

• Mayonnaise
• Ketchup
• Dill Pickle Relish
• Dijon Mustard
• White Vinegar (traditional distilled vinegar, rice vinegar, white wine vinegar, or Champagne vinegar)
• Dried Dill
• Paprika
• Garlic Powder
• Cracked Black Pepper

Like an extra kick of heat?

Consider adding a pinch of cayenne pepper or a splash of Tabasco or sriracha hot sauce!

How to Make Special Sauce

Creating your own special sauce is a breeze! Follow these simple steps to craft this delectable homemade condiment that adds a burst of flavor to your dishes:

1. In a small bowl, combine mayonnaise, ketchup, dill pickle relish, Dijon mustard, white vinegar, dried dill, paprika, garlic powder, and cracked black pepper (for an extra kick of heat, consider a pinch of cayenne, Tabasco, or sriracha).
2. Using a small spatula, stir the ingredients until the sauce is fully combined.
3. Once combined, store the sauce covered in the fridge until ready to use.

Customize this Easy Condiment to Your Tastes

Feel free to experiment with ingredient ratios to suit your taste preferences or use the specific measurements in the recipe card below. This flexibility allows you to create a delicious Special Sauce that perfectly matches your flavor preferences.

Creative Uses for Special Sauce

This incredibly versatile sauce is a flavorful addition to a wide range of dishes. Here are some of my favorite ways to enjoy this quick and easy Special Sauce recipe:

• This Burger Sald with Cheese-Stuffed Meatballs
• Smothered on top of traditional beef or turkey burgers
• On black bean or other vegetarian burgers
• On fish burgers or fried fish sandwiches
• As a dip for fried fish, shrimp, or calamari
• As a creamy condiment for french fries, potato wedges, roasted sweet potatoes, or crispy smashed potatoes
• As a spread for sandwiches -- It’s particularly good on Reuben sandwiches in place of the traditional Russian dressing, turkey melts, and tuna melts
• Drizzled on top of roasted root vegetables such as carrots, sweet potatoes, turnips, onions, radishes, and rutabaga

Essential Tools for Making Special Sauce

• A kitchen scale (or measuring cups for less precise measurements)
• Measuring spoons
• A small mixing bowl
• A small spatula

Are You Looking to Upgrade Your Cooking Tools or Replenish Your Pantry?

Check out my kitchen tools shop page and pantry staples shop page to find my must-have kitchen tools, pantry items, and other Whip & Wander favorites.

More Delicious Sauce Recipes to Explore

Love this tangy and creamy Special Sauce recipe? Here are some more of my favorite quick and easy sauce recipes to add a punch of flavor to dinner!

• Lemon Herb Tartar Sauce
• Romesco Sauce
• Avocado Chimichurri Sauce
• Lemon Dill Cream Sauce
• Honey Sriracha Sauce
• Tzatziki Sauce
• Chipotle Peach BBQ Sauce
• Spicy Red BBQ Sauce
• Carolina Gold Mustard BBQ Sauce
• Firewhisky BBQ Sauce

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