Few fast-food condiments have reached cult status quite like In-N-Out’s Special Sauce, the secret behind their beloved burgers. This homemade version captures that signature balance of creamy, tangy, and slightly sweet flavors, giving you the power to recreate the famous “spread” at home. Simple, nostalgic, and undeniably delicious, this sauce instantly transforms a homemade burger into something that feels straight off the grill at a California drive-thru.

Copycat In-N-Out Special Sauce Recipe

0.0 from 0 votes

Servings

cup

Prep time

minutes

Total time

minutes

A creamy, tangy, and sweet Copycat In-N-Out Special Sauce made with mayo, ketchup, relish, onion, and spices. Perfect for burgers and fries, ready in minutes, and keeps up to 1 week refrigerated.

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Ingredients

½ cup Mayonnaise
3 tbsp Ketchup
2 tbsp Sweet Pickle Relish
1 tbsp Grated Onion
1 tsp White Vinegar
¼ tsp Ground Black Pepper
½ tsp Sugar
⅛ tsp Salt

Directions

In a medium mixing bowl, combine all ingredients.
Whisk thoroughly until smooth and creamy.
Chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to let the flavors meld.

Notes

This recipe yields about 1 cup of sauce, perfect for 6–8 burgers, and can be made in just minutes with simple pantry staples.
To serve: Spread generously on burger buns or use as a dip for fries.
Adjust sweetness with more sugar, tang with extra vinegar, or richness with additional mayo to suit your taste.
. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week, allowing the flavors to deepen as it chills.