Author Notes
Let's be frank: Like every other "special" or "secret sauce"—this is doctored-up thousand island dressing. Still, you can't beat it on a cheeseburger. Or with French fries. Or tater tots! I like mincing bread-and-butter pickles—as opposed to sweet relish—to cut down on the sweetness. You could take that a step further and swap in sour gherkins. If you want to amp up the smokiness, use a chipotle hot sauce.
Featured In: What Is Secret Sauce, Anyway? Is It Special Sauce? —Emma Laperruque
Ingredients
-
1/2 cup
mayonnaise
-
2 tablespoons
ketchup
-
2 tablespoons
dijon
-
2 tablespoons
minced bread-and-butter pickles
-
1 teaspoon
caper brine (or white or apple cider vinegar)
-
1 teaspoon
hot sauce
-
1/2 teaspoon
mustard powder, preferably Colman's
-
1/4 teaspoon
smoked paprika
-
1/4 teaspoon
garlic powder
-
Kosher salt, to taste
Directions
-
Combine all ingredients in a bowl and stir until smooth. Store in the fridge. Check your mayonnaise's expiration date to gauge how long it'll be good for!
Emma was the food editor at Food52. She created the award-winning column, Big Little Recipes, and turned it into a cookbook in 2021. These days, she's a senior editor at Bon Appétit, leading digital cooking coverage. Say hello on Instagram at @emmalaperruque.
See what other Food52ers are saying.