Special Sauce for Burgers

The July 3 email newsletter from Bon Appétit caught my eye with its article on How to Build a Better Burger, and its recipe for Special Sauce. Who doesn’t love a good “Special Sauce” on their burgers?

The timing was perfect for Anna’s birthday party we attended today. The menu included grilled hamburgers (beef and veggie burgers) and hot dogs. Guests were asked to bring condiments and/or side dishes. I brought a double batch of the Special Sauce and slices of American cheese.

It has been many, many years since I last purchased American cheese; I actually can’t remember ever buying it. But Bon Appétit insisted that it was the only cheese to use for a proper cheeseburger.

Mikie and Byron did an excellent job manning the grill, so it wasn’t long before everyone was building their burgers or dogs just the way they liked them.

Mary had a bun with melted American cheese, lettuce, tomato, and Special Sauce. She declared that the sauce made it just like her favorite veggie option at In-N-Out Burger!

Laura loved it on her veggie burger, and Byron said it was also fantastic on his hot dog.

And the American cheese? It was perfect! Who knew? It worked especially well with the Special Sauce, a slice of onion, a tomato slice, and iceberg lettuce.

I have always been a big fan of good “special sauces” on burgers. This Special Sauce is truly as good as any I have had. I probably won’t be able to make burgers again without making a batch of this now Not-So-Secret Special Sauce! It’s so easy to make; I highly recommend that you try it on a summer burger soon!

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Special Sauce

(Adapted from a Bon Appétit recipe)

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(print the recipe)

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Makes about 1¾ cups (Halve the ingredients for a smaller batch.)

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1 cup of mayonnaise

¼ cup ketchup

2 tablespoons finely minced onion

2 tablespoons dill pickle relish

4 teaspoons adobo sauce from canned chipotle chiles in adobo*

¼ teaspoon celery salt

¼ teaspoon kosher salt

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*Leftover chiles can be frozen for future use.

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Minced onion

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1. Put all of the ingredients in a bowl.

Adding the adobo sauce

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Everything in the bowl

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2. Whisk or stir until it is all well-blended.

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3. Put in a jar or bowl and refrigerate until ready to use.

Special Sauce in a pint jar