Burger sauce is one of those condiments that can make or break a burger.
It needs enough creaminess to bind everything together, enough acidity to cut through rich meat and melted cheese, and enough sweetness and seasoning to draw you back for more.
But what is burger sauce, exactly?
There isn't one secret burger sauce recipe. Most versions play with a combination of creamy, tangy, sweet and savoury flavours, but the balance varies considerably from one sauce to another. Some lean sweeter, some sharper, some creamier, and some have a more noticeable pickle or mustard character.
So, in the name of very serious sauce research, we're taking a closer look at McDonald's Big Mac Sauce, Wimpy Special Sauce and Heinz Burger Sauce, alongside Harrisons Burger Sauce, to see what makes each style different and help you find the best burger sauce for your burger.
McDonald’s Big Mac Sauce - Creamy, Tangy & Iconic
Few burger sauces are as instantly recognisable as Big Mac Sauce. It's been part of the Big Mac formula for decades, paired with beef, cheese, lettuce, onion and pickles. McDonald's confirms that the sauce shares familiar mayonnaise ingredients including vegetable oil, egg and vinegar.
Flavour profile:
- Creamy
- Tangy
- Slightly sweet
- Savoury
- Pickle-friendly character
Why people choose it
Familiarity is a big part of the appeal. Big Mac Sauce is designed specifically to bring together the richness of beef and cheese with the freshness and acidity of lettuce, onion and pickles.
Best for: Classic beef burgers and anyone chasing that familiar fast-food burger flavour.
Wimpy Special Sauce - Sweet, Tangy & Nostalgic
Wimpy Special Sauce is another British burger institution. Wimpy itself describes its sauce as sweet and tangy, and serves it with burgers including its Original Quarterpounder Cheese.
Flavour profile:
- Sweet
- Tangy
- Creamy
- Smooth
- Classic burger-shop character
Why people choose it
There's a big nostalgia factor here. Wimpy has been serving burgers in Britain for generations, and its Special Sauce has developed a following of its own.
Its sweet and tangy profile makes it an easy match for beef, cheese, lettuce and onion without trying to steal the whole show.
Best for: Classic cheeseburgers and anyone who likes a sweeter, tangier burger sauce.
Heinz Burger Sauce - Creamy, Tangy & Herby
Heinz Burger Sauce brings together a creamy base with tomato, vinegar and a noticeable dill flavour. Its recipe includes 15% tomato purée and 1.1% dill, alongside onion, garlic, mustard, tamarind and spices, giving it a mix of creamy, tangy, sweet and herby notes.
Flavour profile:
- Smooth and creamy
- Tangy with some sweetness
- Tomato notes
- Savoury onion and garlic
- Mustard and spice in the background
Why people choose it
Heinz is a familiar name in the condiment aisle, and its Burger Sauce offers a creamy, tomato-based option with dill playing a prominent role in the flavour.
Best for: Burgers, chicken burgers, fries, BBQ food and dipping.
Harrisons Burger Sauce - Rich, Tangy & Versatile
Then there's Harrisons Burger Sauce.
Our recipe brings together a creamy mayonnaise base with tomato ketchup, vinegar, mustard, onion, and garlic, with dill bringing a fresh, herby edge. The result is smooth and rich, with enough sweetness and acidity to complement a burger.
Flavour profile:
- Smooth and creamy
- Tangy
- Slightly sweet
- Distinctive dill flavour
- Tomato and mustard notes
- Savoury onion and garlic
- Rich, coating texture
Why people choose it
Versatility of course, it belongs on a cheeseburger. But a good Burger Sauce shouldn't have to wait around for burger night.
Harrisons Burger Sauce works with smash burgers, chicken burgers, wraps, loaded fries and sandwiches, as a dip for sides or even as an ingredient in cooking. Despite the name, it doesn’t have to just stay on burgers. For something a little different, try our Burger Sauce Noodle Stir Fry Combo, where its creamy, tangy flavour turns a simple noodle dish into something seriously saucy.
Best for: Anyone looking for one Burger Sauce that can earn its keep across burgers, dipping, drizzling and cooking.
Burger Sauce Comparison Table
|
Sauce |
Creaminess |
Sweetness |
Tang |
Texture |
Overall style |
|
McDonald’s Big Mac Sauce |
High |
Medium |
High |
Creamy |
Iconic fast-food style |
|
Wimpy Special Sauce |
Medium - High |
Medium - High |
Medium - High |
Smooth |
Sweet & tangy classic |
|
Heinz Burger Sauce |
High |
Medium |
High |
Smooth & creamy |
Creamy & tangy |
|
Harrisons Burger Sauce |
High |
Balanced |
Balanced |
Smooth & coating |
Rich, tangy & versatile |
Flavour perception is subjective, so think of this as a guide to the different styles rather than a laboratory scorecard.
Which Burger Sauce Style Suits You?
The best burger sauce isn't necessarily the one with the loudest flavour. It's the one that works with what you're eating.
Want that instantly recognisable fast-food flavour?
McDonald's Big Mac Sauce is built around its famous burger combination, so it's the obvious reference point for that particular style.
Prefer a sweet and tangy classic?
Wimpy Special Sauce leans into the sweet-and-tangy profile the brand itself is known for.
Looking for an everyday squeezy sauce?
Harrisons Burger Sauce gives you a smooth, creamy sauce with tomato, mustard, onion and garlic character that's easy to use across everyday meals.
Why Harrisons is the Best Burger Sauce
Harrisons Burger Sauce is made here in the UK at our Loughborough production facility, where our team manages everything from sauce production through to packing and dispatch. Keeping production close gives us greater control over quality and consistency, particularly important when you're serving the same sauce across hundreds of burgers, not just tonight's dinner.
Our facility also holds a globally recognised BRC certification for food safety and product quality, bringing proper food manufacturing credentials to all that saucy experimentation.
Then there’s the sauce itself - Harrisons Burger Sauce balances a creamy mayonnaise base with tomato, vinegar, mustard, onion, garlic, herbs and spices. It's also Halal certified and gluten-free, giving restaurants and takeaways another practical reason to keep it on the menu.
Burger Sauce FAQs
What is burger sauce?
Burger sauce is generally a creamy condiment designed to complement burgers, commonly combining creamy, tangy, sweet and savoury elements. Recipes vary considerably: tomato or ketchup, mustard, vinegar, pickles, herbs and spices can all play a part.
What sauce is best for a smash burger?
Smash burgers have plenty of rich, browned beef flavour, so a creamy sauce with some acidity works particularly well. Harrisons Burger Sauce brings creaminess alongside tomato, mustard and vinegar, helping cut through beef and melted cheese without overpowering them.
What sauce goes well with a chicken burger?
Burger Sauce isn't just for beef. A creamy, tangy sauce works brilliantly with crispy or grilled chicken, particularly alongside lettuce, pickles and cheese. Garlic Mayo, Peri Mayo and Sriracha Mayo are also worth exploring if you want to take your chicken burger in a different direction.
Is burger sauce healthy?
That depends on the particular sauce, serving size and what you're comparing it with. Burger sauces can contain oil, sugar and salt, so rather than assuming a sauce marketed as “healthy” is automatically better, check the nutritional information and choose a portion that works for your diet.
Is Harrisons Burger Sauce Halal?
Yes, Harrisons Burger Sauce is Halal, making it a great option for burger restaurants, takeaways, cafés and home kitchens catering for Halal diets.
And because Burger Sauce plays nicely with just about everything, try it with beef burgers, chicken burgers, smash burgers, wraps, loaded fries and sides - plenty of ways to put the bottle to work.
What is the secret burger sauce recipe?
There isn't one universal secret recipe, that's half the fun. Burger sauces commonly balance creamy, tangy, sweet and savoury ingredients, but every recipe approaches that balance differently. Harrisons combines a creamy base with tomato ketchup, vinegar, mustard, onion, garlic, herbs and spices to create its own distinctive Burger Sauce.
Still Hungry?
If Burger Sauce has you thinking beyond the bun, shop the Harrisons Burger Sauce collection.
