Smashburger Smash Sauce – CopyKat Recipes

I was skeptical the first time I tried to recreate Smashburger’s signature sauce at home. How could something so simple—mayonnaise, mustard, and pickles—create that unmistakable flavor that makes their burgers legendary? After countless experiments and taste tests, I’ve finally cracked the code.

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Smashburger Burgers

Smashburger’s hamburger patties are not your typical burgers. What makes them unique is how the cooks press the patties thin on the grill and fry them long enough to develop a crispy crust before serving them on a soft bun.

But no Smashburger is complete without a large dollop of Smash Sauce. The sauce’s creaminess, tempered by good acidity, perfectly complements the thin, crispy burger patty. Check out the following Smash Sauce recipe to make your own at home!

What is Smash Sauce?

Smash Sauce is a simple mayonnaise-based sauce with plenty of yellow mustard thrown into the mix, a few chopped dill pickles, and some pickle juice for an additional tang. A splash of vegetable oil helps bring the whole sauce together, and then it goes into the fridge for at least four hours to let the flavors mingle.

This may be the best burger sauce, but is excellent for more than just burgers. Use it instead of ketchup for fries or onion rings. Replace your sandwich mayo with this tangy sauce. It’s a sauce you should have on hand, along with other condiments.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Authentic copycat of the famous Smash Sauce
• Simple ingredients you likely already have
• The perfect balance of creamy and tangy flavors
• Versatile use beyond just burgers
• Complete guide to recreating the signature smashed patty

Ingredients for Smash Sauce

Here’s what you need to make Smashburger smashsauce:

• Mayonnaise – gives you the creamy base of the sauce 
• Yellow prepared mustard – gives you the sharp tang of this sauce 
• Pickle juice – gives just the right amount of acidity to make the flavors shine through 
• Dill pickle – this gives both flavor and texture to the sauce 
• Vegetable oil – this is added so the sauce will have the consistency.

Ingredient Notes

The Smash Sauce recipe calls for prepared yellow mustard, and while you certainly can use any bottle of yellow mustard you have on hand, people have strong opinions regarding which type is the best.

Many believe that French’s brand mustard is essential for the most authentic-tasting sauce. A few insist you can only mimic the taste of the real sauce by using French’s Dijon mustard.

Experiment and see which type of yellow mustard you like the best in this Smash Sauce recipe.

How to Make Smash Sauce

Here are the two simple steps for making smash burger sauce:

1. Place chopped dill pickles, mayonnaise, yellow mustard, and 2 teaspoons of dill pickle juice in a small bowl.

2. Stir well to combine the ingredients and let it rest in the refrigerator for a few hours before serving.

Making a Smashburger-Style Burger

While smash sauce is excellent on ordinary burgers, french fries, or just about anything, it shines when served on top of a Smashburger-style burger. Making homemade Smashburger-style hamburgers goes against every rule of burger-making, but they always make a delicious burger.

If you want to make a Smashburger-style burger at home, follow these smash burger recipe steps:

1. Form the ground beef into 4-ounce pucks. Let the formed patties sit at room temperature for 5 to 10 minutes.
2. Preheat a large skillet, cast iron skillet, or griddle over medium heat as the patties come to room temperature. To get the best results, you need to have enough hot surface area to give yourself enough room to squish the patties without coming into contact with each other.
3. Season the thin beef patties liberally with salt and pepper on both sides.
4. Increase the heat to high, and lay the patties on the cooking surface with at least three inches of space surrounding each one.
5. Use a sturdy big flat spatula, the kind without any slots, to flatten the patty. You can use another spatula to help you to apply enough pressure.
6. Cook for 90 seconds.
7. Use the spatula to scrape the patty cleanly from the cooking surface and flip.
8. Add a slice of American cheese if you want, and cook on the other side for just 30 seconds.
9. Place directly on a prepared bun, I highly recommend a brioche bun if you can find them. 
10. Add your favorite toppings, such as iceberg lettuce and tomato slices if desired.

Pro Tips for Perfect Results

Sauce Success

• Use French’s yellow mustard for most authentic taste
• Finely chop pickles for best texture
• Let sauce warm slightly before serving
• Adjust pickle juice for desired thickness

Burger Success

• Don’t overwork the meat
• Press patties as thin as possible
• Don’t move patties while cooking
• Scrape thoroughly when flipping
• Toast your buns

Variations and Substitutions

Sauce Variations

• Spicy: Add cayenne or hot sauce
• Zesty: Use spicy pickles
• Healthier: Use light mayonnaise
• Extra Tang: Add more pickle juice

Burger Variations

• Turkey Smash: Use ground turkey
• Low-Carb: Serve in lettuce wrap
• Deluxe: Add bacon and caramelized onions
• Vegetarian: Use plant-based patty

Storage and Make-Ahead

Sauce Storage

• Refrigerate up to 2 weeks
• Store in airtight container
• Do not freeze
• Stir before using

Burger Prep

• Form patties up to 24 hours ahead
• Keep refrigerated until needed
• Bring to room temperature before cooking
• Don’t pre-cook patties

Common Questions and Troubleshooting

Sauce Issues

• Too thick: Add pickle juice
• Too thin: Add more mayo
• Too tangy: Add mayo
• Not tangy enough: Add mustard

Burger Issues

• Falling apart: Press firmer
• Not crusty: Higher heat needed
• Too dry: Use fattier beef
• Sticking: Hotter surface needed

Recipe Success Tips

• Start with room temperature meat
• Use a very hot cooking surface
• Press burgers as thin as possible
• Apply sauce generously
• Toast your buns
• Serve immediately

Tips For Serving and Storing Smashburger Sauce

• Spread the sauce directly on the bun. Spread half the sauce on the top bun and the other half on the bottom bun. This trick will not only evenly distribute the flavor but will help protect the bun from getting soggy.
• Keep in the fridge in an airtight container. The sauce should stay fresh for about two weeks.

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