In-N-Out Sauce (Copycat Burger Sauce Recipe)

Name: In-N-Out Sauce (Copycat Burger Sauce Recipe)
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 35 min
Ingredients: ½ cup Avocado Oil Mayonnaise (Chosen Foods); 3 tablespoons Ketchup (Primal Kitchen); 1 teaspoon Yellow Mustard (Primal Kitchen); 1 teaspoon White Vinegar; 2½ tablespoons Dill Relish (Grillo's Pickle de Gallo); 1½ teaspoons Honey (raw and organic); ¼ teaspoon Fine Sea Salt; ⅛ teaspoon Black Pepper

In-N-Out Sauce is the creamy, tangy burger spread that gives In-N-Out burgers their signature flavor. This homemade copycat version is quick to make, easy to keep in the fridge, and perfect for spreading on burgers or using as a dip for fries, chicken tenders, and bowls. It has the same nostalgic burger-joint flavor, made at home with a few simple real-food swaps.

A bowl of creamy, In-N-Out burger sauce with a spoon inside sits on a light wooden surface, surrounded by a sandwich bun, leafy lettuce, and a tomato.

Recipe At A Glance

🥣 Method: Mix and chill
⏱️ Total Time: 5 minutes, plus 30 minutes chill time
🍔 Best For: Burgers, fries, bowls, sandwiches, and grilling nights
🫙 Makes: About ¾ cup
👥 Serves: 6 to 8
🌿 Dietary Notes: Gluten-free friendly, dairy-free, refined sugar-free
✨ What Makes It Different: Made with avocado oil mayo, dill relish, honey, and simple pantry ingredients for classic burger sauce flavor at home

From 2008 to 2021, I traveled all over the world teaching fitness seminars. But whenever work brought me to California, the routine was always the same. We would finish the seminar, pull out our phones, and map the nearest In-N-Out.

I always ordered the same thing: Double-Double, protein style, Animal Style. And the sauce was the whole thing. Creamy, tangy, a little sweet, and exactly what made the burger taste like In-N-Out.

There is actually an In-N-Out not far from where I live in Texas now, and I still love the flavor. But once I looked up the official In-N-Out ingredient list and saw soybean and canola oil, corn syrup, and a few other additives, I knew I wanted to make a version at home with real-food ingredients I use in my own kitchen. Same creamy, tangy burger sauce flavor, just with a shorter ingredient list and a few simple swaps.

This homemade In-N-Out burger sauce uses avocado oil mayo for the creamy base, honey for just enough sweetness, dill relish for a bright, briny tang, and ketchup with simple ingredients to pull it all together. It tastes like the sauce I remember from those California trips, and it comes together in five minutes flat.

At home, this sauce rotates right alongside my Easy Smashburger Sauce, which has been the number one recipe on Simple & Fraîche for over three years. I use this one when I want that tangy, classic In-N-Out flavor, and the smashburger sauce when I want something richer and more savory.

For more easy dips and sauces to keep in the fridge, try my Hot Honey Mustard Sauce, Gluten-Free Caesar Dressing, or Cottage Cheese Ranch Dip.

Jump to:

Recipe At A Glance
Ingredients You'll Need
Substitutions And Variations
How To Make In-N-Out Sauce
NAdia's Expert Tips & Notes
What To Serve With In-N-Out Burger Sauce
Storage & Meal Prep
Recipe FAQs
More Dips & Sauces You'll Love!
In-N-Out Sauce (Copycat Burger Sauce Recipe)

Ingredients You'll Need

Seven small bowls with labeled ingredients for a sauce: sea salt, pepper, mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, honey, dill relish, and white vinegar, arranged on a white surface.

Avocado Oil Mayonnaise: This is the creamy base of the sauce and one of the main swaps that makes this version different. I like using avocado oil mayo, such as Chosen Foods or Primal Kitchen, because it has a neutral flavor and a simple ingredient list. It keeps the sauce rich and creamy without changing that classic burger spread flavor.
Ketchup: Ketchup brings the tomato flavor, color, and subtle sweetness that gives this sauce its classic burger spread taste. I like using Primal Kitchen ketchup because it is made with simple ingredients and no high-fructose corn syrup.
Yellow Mustard: A small amount of yellow mustard adds gentle sharpness and depth without overpowering the sauce. It is subtle, but it helps round everything out.
White Vinegar: Just a teaspoon brings the acidity that balances the creamy and sweet elements. Distilled white vinegar works perfectly here.
Dill Relish: Dill relish is my Simple & Fraîche twist. Sweet relish is closer to the original, but dill relish gives this sauce a brighter, fresher tang. I like using Grillo's Pickle de Gallo when I can find it because it has cucumber, bell pepper, onion, and a fresh briny flavor that works so well in this sauce.
Honey: A touch of honey balances the tangy relish and gives the sauce the subtle sweetness you expect from a classic burger spread. Start with the amount listed, then taste and adjust if you like it a little sweeter.
Fine Sea Salt and Black Pepper: A little salt and pepper pull the sauce together and give it that finished, well-seasoned taste.

See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.

Substitutions And Variations

To Make It Closer To The Original: Sweet relish is closer to the classic In-N-Out spread. If you use sweet relish instead of dill relish, reduce the honey to 1 teaspoon so the sauce does not get too sweet.
Honey: Maple syrup works as a 1:1 swap and is just as good. The flavor is slightly different but still delicious and still refined sugar-free.
Adjust the Sweetness: If you want a touch more sweetness, add an extra half teaspoon of honey and taste as you go. The balance of sweet to tangy is easy to dial in to your preference.
Yellow Mustard: If you only have Dijon on hand, use half the amount. Dijon is more assertive than yellow mustard and a full teaspoon will overpower the sauce.
Make It Spicy: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a small dash of hot sauce to give it a kick. This is especially good when serving alongside fries or chicken tenders.
Make It Smoother: If you want a smoother burger spread, finely chop the relish before mixing or give the sauce a quick pulse in a small food processor.
Thin It Out: If the sauce gets too thick after chilling, stir in ½ teaspoon of vinegar or pickle juice until it reaches your desired consistency.

How To Make In-N-Out Sauce

This is an overview with step-by-step photos. Full ingredients & instructions are in the recipe card below.

This copycat In-N-Out Sauce comes together in one bowl with just a few minutes of prep.

A white bowl containing mayonnaise, ketchup, chopped pickles, onions, and seasonings, placed on a white countertop.

Step 1: Add the mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, vinegar, relish, honey, salt, and pepper to a medium bowl. Whisk until smooth and fully combined.

A white bow with In-N-Out burger sauce with a green spatula resting inside, sits on a light-colored marble surface.

Step 2: Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving. The sauce thickens, and the flavors come together as it rests. Give it a quick stir before using.

NAdia's Expert Tips & Notes

Let it chill before serving. This sauce tastes good right away, but it is even better after 30 minutes in the fridge. The flavors have time to blend, and the texture thickens into that creamy, spreadable burger sauce consistency.
Make it ahead. If you are grilling or hosting, make this sauce the night before. It keeps well in the fridge and is one less thing to prep when it is time to cook.
Taste and adjust. Honey, relish, and ketchup can all vary slightly by brand, so give the sauce a taste before serving. Add a little more honey if you want it sweeter, or a tiny splash of vinegar or pickle juice if you want more tang.
Use a thick mayo. A good avocado oil mayo gives the sauce the best texture. If your mayo is thinner, the sauce may be a little looser, especially before chilling.
Try Grillo's Pickle de Gallo if you can find it. Regular dill relish works great, but Grillo's adds a fresh, briny flavor from the cucumber, bell pepper, and onion. It gives this sauce a little extra brightness without any chopping.

What To Serve With In-N-Out Burger Sauce

This sauce was made for burgers, but once you have a jar in your fridge you will find yourself reaching for it constantly. Here are some of our favorite ways to use it.
On the Grill: This sauce is the perfect companion to Traeger Smoked Burgers and Grilled Cheeseburgers. Spread it on both sides of the bun right before you build the burger.
In a Bowl: Drizzle it over a Cheeseburger Bowl for all the burger flavor without the bun. It works as both a dressing and a sauce.
As a Dip: Use it as a dipping sauce for Gluten-Free Chicken Tenders, Sweet Potato Truffle Fries, or Traeger Kabobs. It is especially good alongside something crispy.
Alongside Other Sauces: Set out a spread with this sauce next to my Easy Smashburger Sauce and Hot Honey Mustard Sauce for a grilling night or backyard cookout. Let everyone mix and match.

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Storage & Meal Prep

Refrigerator: Store leftover In-N-Out Sauce in an airtight jar or container in the refrigerator for 4-5 days. Give it a quick stir before serving, as it may thicken slightly as it sits.
Freezer: I do not recommend freezing this sauce. Mayo-based sauces can separate after freezing and thawing, which changes the creamy texture.
Meal Prep Tip: This is a great make-ahead sauce for burgers, bowls, wraps, and dipping. Make it at least 30 minutes before serving, or prep it the night before so the flavors have time to blend.

Recipe FAQs

What is In-N-Out Sauce made of?

In-N-Out Sauce, also called spread, is a creamy burger sauce made with a mayo-style base, tomato, vinegar, relish-style pickles, mustard, sugar, and seasonings. This homemade version uses avocado oil mayo, ketchup, dill relish, vinegar, mustard, honey, salt, and pepper to get that same creamy, tangy flavor at home.

Is In-N-Out Burger Sauce the same as Thousand Island dressing?

They are similar, but not exactly the same. Both usually have a mayo and ketchup base with relish, but In-N-Out Sauce is tangier, less sweet, and made to be used as a burger spread.

Is this the same as Animal Style sauce?

Yes. The spread on an In-N-Out burger is the same sauce used when you order Animal Style. Animal Style also includes a mustard-grilled patty, extra pickles, grilled onions, and extra spread.

Can I make In-N-Out Sauce ahead of time?

Yes, and I actually recommend it. The sauce tastes even better after it chills for at least 30 minutes because the flavors have time to blend.

How long does homemade In-N-Out Sauce last?

Homemade In-N-Out Sauce will keep in an airtight jar or container in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days. Give it a quick stir before serving.

Can I use sweet relish instead of dill relish?

Yes. Sweet relish is actually closer to the original In-N-Out spread. If you use sweet relish, reduce the honey to 1 teaspoon so the sauce does not get too sweet.

A bowl of In-N-Out sauce with a spoon in it, surrounded by leafy greens and two heirloom tomatoes on a light wooden surface.

More Dips & Sauces You'll Love!

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