🥇 Best Burger Sauces
SEO Guide Updated June 2026
A burger's sauce does a lot of quiet work: it adds moisture, tang, and richness, and ties the toppings to the beef. These are the best burger sauces, what makes each one great, and which burgers to put them on.
1. Classic burger sauce
The all-purpose champion — mayo and ketchup based, with mustard, pickle and paprika. Goes on everything. Recipe in our Burger Sauces guide.
2. Garlic aioli
Rich, garlicky and a touch fancy. Best on simple, beef-forward burgers like the Garlic Butter Burger.
3. Spicy sriracha mayo
Creamy heat that balances spicy toppings. The natural match for the Spicy Jalapeño Burger.
4. Smoky BBQ mayo
BBQ sauce cut with mayo so it spreads and clings without burning. Made for the BBQ Burger.
5. Caramelized onion jam
Not a sauce exactly, but it plays the same role — savory-sweet and luxurious on a gourmet burger.
Sauce on both buns
Spread sauce on both bun halves, not just one. It keeps every bite flavorful and helps protect the bun from getting soggy.
Burger HQ Picks Recommended Gear
Heavy-Duty Stainless Smash Burger Press
A flat, weighty press is the difference between a real lacy-edged smash burger and a sad steamed puck. Round, broad face for full patty contact.
Check price →Instant-Read Digital Meat Thermometer
Pulls a reading in 2–3 seconds so you can hit 160°F on ground beef every time without cutting into the patty and losing juices.
Check price →Pre-Seasoned 12" Cast Iron Skillet
Holds screaming-hot heat for the deep, even crust that makes a steakhouse-style burger. Lasts a lifetime.
Check price →Outdoor Gas Flat-Top Griddle
A big flat top cooks a dozen smash burgers at once with room for onions and buns. The backbone of burger night for a crowd.
Check price →Thin Flexible Stainless Turner (Smash Spatula)
A stiff, thin, bevelled edge slides under the crust and scrapes up every bit of the browned fond instead of tearing the patty.
Check price →Steakhouse Burger Seasoning Blend
For nights you do not want to measure. Salt-forward with garlic, onion, and pepper — exactly what a burger wants.
Check price →Stainless Grill Accessory Kit
Long tongs, a wide spatula, and a basting brush so you are not fighting your own tools over a hot grill.
Check price →As an affiliate site, I Love Hamburger may earn a commission from qualifying purchases. This does not affect our recommendations.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best sauce for a burger?
Classic burger sauce — a seasoned mayo-and-ketchup base with mustard and pickle — is the most versatile and reliably great. Garlic aioli and spicy mayo are excellent for specific burgers.
What is McDonald's style burger sauce made of?
A close homemade version is mayo, a little ketchup and yellow mustard, sweet pickle relish, white vinegar, garlic and onion powder, and paprika. See our Burger Sauces guide for the recipe.