The Secret to Making In-N-Out's Famous Sauce at Home (2024)

If you’re lucky enough to live on the West Coast, you know and love In-N-Out! (As a Midwesterner, I say to my fellow Chicagoans: It’s their Portillo’s.)

For over 70 years, In-N-Out has been a family business—and it’s so popular across six states that there’s often a line. This chain has plenty of well-known items on its menu, and the special In-N-Out sauce makes their signature burgers just that much better. It’s often mistaken (by the naked eye) for Thousand Island dressing, but this spread has its own distinct flavor.

You can learn how to make In-N-Out sauce, which means it’s possible to make copycat In-N-Out burgers at home, with a side of Animal Style fries. Trust us. You’ll thank us for it later!

How to Make In-N-Out Sauce

Ingredients

Jennifer Schwarzkopf for Taste of Home

You likely have all of the ingredients in your pantry and refrigerator. This signature In-N-Out sauce is made with only five ingredients:

• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 3 tablespoons ketchup
• 1/2 tablespoon white vinegar
• 1/2 tablespoon granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons sweet pickle relish

Directions

This is pretty complicated, so try and pay attention. Just kidding! It couldn’t be easier.

1. Put all ingredients in a medium bowl.
2. Stir together by hand with a wooden spoon or rubber spatula.
3. Refrigerate for about an hour so the flavors can meld.

Jennifer Schwarzkopf for Taste of Home

How to Use In-N-Out Sauce

Jennifer Schwarzkopf for Taste of Home

Of course, the most obvious recommendations are to use the sauce as a spread on a burger, and as a topping for a fresh pile of fries.

However, there is so much more you can do! Hopefully, the following list will spark even more ideas for eating this legendary In-N-Out sauce.

• Spread on toasted brioche for a grilled chicken sandwich
• Top a meatloaf sandwich on sourdough
• Use for a baked potato bar
• Replace tartar sauce for a Friday fish fry
• Spread on crackers and top with pastrami or corned beef for hors d’oeuvres
• Top a wedge salad, in lieu of buttermilk dressing
• Spread on bread to elevate a classic grilled cheese
• Eat with eggs and hash browns for breakfast
• Use instead of mayo on a BLT
• Dunk deep-fried mushrooms, jalapeno poppers or chicken fingers

Put this In-N-Out on anything your heart desires. We can’t wait to hear what you come up with! In the meantime, thank you to In-N-Out for existing and inspiring our recipes at home. The real In-N-Out sauce is divine.