Veggie Burger Sauce

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This 5-minute veggie burger sauce is without a doubt the easiest and best burger sauce you'll try. It works well on burgers, grilled veggies, and even as a salad dressing. The secret ingredient is pickle juice and it really makes this special sauce stand out from the rest.

Hand spooning some burger sauce on a veggie burger patty.

If you are on the hunt for grilling recipes, take a look through my grilling guide and try my ULTIMATE veggie burger recipe made from black beans. You’ll also love these grilled cabbage wedges, these grilled potatoes, and my sweet grilled peppers. I promise your vegan barbecue will be next-level delicious.

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Why you’ll love this recipe
Key ingredients and substitutions
Step-by-step instructions
Serving suggestions
Frequently asked questions
The recipe

Why you’ll love this recipe

Elevates the veggie burger experience: A good sauce can take a veggie burger from ordinary to extraordinary. It brings a deliciously creamy and tangy element that takes your burger to a whole new level.
Super easy to make: This sauce comes together in just 5 minutes, making it a quick and convenient option for adding flavor to a good burger. It requires minimal effort and is perfect when you need a delicious sauce in a hurry.
Secretly vegan: This vegan burger sauce recipe is completely vegan, meaning it contains no animal products. However, with its creamy and flavorful taste, even non-vegans will love it!
Uses simple ingredients: The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity. It can be made with common ingredients likely already in your fridge or pantry. This means you don't have to go out of your way to find unique elements.
Customizable: Adjust the amount of mustard, garlic powder, onion powder, and other seasonings to create a sauce that perfectly matches your flavor preferences. Depending on your liking, you can make it milder or spicier, tangier or sweeter.
Make it your own: Feel free to experiment with additional ingredients to personalize the sauce further. You can add a touch of hot sauce or chili powder for heat, a tiny bit of BBQ sauce for smokiness, or a splash of tomato ketchup or tomato paste to make it taste like a vegan big mac sauce. Chopped fresh herbs like dill or parsley, or even a splash of vinegar for extra tang would work great, too.

Key ingredients and substitutions

Ingredients for a vegan burger sauce with descriptive labels on a marble platter.

Vegan mayonnaise: Make your own cashew-based mayo for a healthy alternative. Alternatively, choose one at the store; so many are available from plant-based ingredients like soy, avocado, or pea protein. Choose one with a creamy texture and mild flavor. If not vegan, feel free to use regular mayonnaise.
Yellow mustard: Adds a little spice and some extra depth of flavor to the sauce. You can use Dijon mustard instead and adjust the amount according to your taste.
Pickle juice: It provides that distinct burger sauce flavor and adds acidity. I use the brine from my homemade quick dill pickles. White wine vinegar can be used instead, but I highly recommend making this veggie burger sauce with pickle juice. No pickle relish needed.
Garlic and onion powder: They add a savory touch to the sauce. You can also use grated fresh garlic if you like.
Paprika: Adds a vibrant red color to the sauce. I prefer sweet paprika as smoked paprika feels a little overpowering.
Maple syrup (optional): You can add it to balance out the tanginess of the sauce and provide a touch of sweetness. You can also use other sweeteners like agave nectar if desired.

Step-by-step instructions

Vegan mayonnaise, mustard, paprika, and pickled cucumber juice in a glass bowl.

STEP 1: Add everything to a medium bowl (the mayonnaise, mustard, pickle juice, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and maple syrup if using).

Hand whisking an orange burger sauce in a glass bowl.

STEP 2: Combine. Whisk everything together until perfectly creamy.

Hand pouring a light orange burger sauce in a small glass jar.

STEP 3: Transfer to an airtight container until ready to use.

Hand spoon an orange veggie burger sauce in a glass jar.

STEP 4: Spread it directly on the burger patty or the burger bun.

Serving suggestions

Try veggie burger sauce with your favorite store-bought veggie burgers or my 4-ingredient black bean burgers. These can be made in a food processor in 10 minutes. Add pickled red onion for the ultimate burger experience.
Drizzle this over grilled Russet potato wedges or crispy baked french fries.
It makes a great addition to vegan wraps, sandwiches, (vegan) hot dogs, and pitas.
Serve it with my whole grilled cauliflower in place of the lemon and ginger sauce.
It makes veggie dipping sauce (e.g., carrot sticks, cauliflower florets, cucumber sticks, cherry tomatoes).
It's also surprisingly delicious on a cold pasta salad or potato salad.

Light orange burger sauce in a small glass jar with a burger in the background.

Frequently asked questions

Is vegan mayo healthy?

While both regular and vegan mayonnaise are high in fat, vegan mayo tends to be lower in saturated fat and higher in monounsaturated fats. However, to replace egg yolks, vegan mayos can contain several thickeners, modified starch and/or gums to give it a similar texture. Plus, it often contains sugar, which is why it should still be consumed in moderation. You can read more about it in this article comparing mayos.

How to store homemade burger sauce?

Transfer the sauce to a clean glass jar or any other airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for 4-5 days.

The recipe