Skip to Content

In-N-Out Sauce (Spread) Copycat

This In-N-Out sauce (spread) copycat is one of my favorites. It’s sweet, salty, tangy, and tastes like the original. Better yet, it comes together in minutes!

Do you get your In-N-Out burgers with or without spread? If you’ve ever uttered the words “no spread,” I hate to break the news to you, but you’re seriously missing out. The creamy, uniquely tangy, slightly salty, and sweet sauce is fantastic and can instantly enhance food, whether it’s a burger, fries, or simple carrot sticks. To give you a better idea of the flavor, think thousand island dressing, but better. It is creamier, the tang is more pronounced, and the sauce is slightly sweeter.

In-N-Out Sauce (Spread) Copycat

Why You’ll Love This In-N-Out Sauce Copycat

It tastes like the real thing – There are a lot of copycat recipes, but this one is spot on. If you purchase a few Double-Doubles, put this sauce on them, and ask someone to taste test, they will not know the difference.

Inexpensive recipe – The sauce comprises standard, everyday condiments mixed until well combined. That’s all. You probably have everything you need right now.

Only six ingredients are required – I mean, five is always ideal, but the sixth one is entirely optional.

It pairs well with various foods – Burgers, fries, steak, and veggies; this sauce tastes terrific on so many foods.

In-N-Out Sauce Copycat Ingredients Notes

  • Mayonnaise: Mayonnaise is the ideal base for sauces like this one since it’s a stable emulsion. The spread stays nice and smooth because mayo is stable. Furthermore, mayonnaise has a pleasant flavor that works well with the other ingredients. Select a high-quality mayonnaise since this ingredient is essential (it is the base). Quality indicators include a viscous, custardy consistency (not gelatinous), tangy taste that isn’t overwhelming, and a full-fat flavor.
  • Ketchup: The popular condiment is exceptionally complex and adds flavor to the sauce. It’s sweet, sour, salty, and has a wonderful complexity. It’s also responsible for the signature peachy-orange hue.
  • Sweet pickle relish: This type of relish brings a sweet and vinegary tang; if you’ve ever had In-N-Out spread before, you know that tang is a must. Use your favorite brand.
  • Vinegar: Since the sweet pickle relish brings sweetness and tartness, the recipe calls for a little extra vinegar to ensure that tartness comes through.
  • Sugar: Sugar, specifically granulated, is the aforementioned optional ingredient. You want it on hand in case the sauce needs extra sweetness. This heavily depends on the ketchup and relish used. Some brands have more sugar, while others have less.

Find the complete ingredients list with amounts in the recipe card below!

Copycat In-N-Out Sauce Recipe

How to Make This In-N-Out Sauce Copycat

  1. Measure the ingredients: I measure the ingredients by weight for accuracy and recommend you do the same if you have a food scale.
  2. Stir: Mix until everything is well combined. Stop once you have an even, consistent color.
  3. Adjust if needed: Taste the sauce and add sugar if needed. You may also find that this In-N-Out sauce copycat needs another pinch of salt.
  4. Enjoy: Use the sauce as desired.
Copycat In-N-Out Sauce on Burger and Animal Style Fries

Variations, Substitutions, and Tips

Use vegan mayo – This simple swap will make a vegan copycat of this famous sauce.

Add garlic – Minced fresh garlic will add a hearty dose of flavor to the sauce. However, it will no longer taste exactly like the In-N-Out spread you know and love.

Use lemon instead of vinegar – If you don’t have white vinegar or aren’t fond of the scent, lemon is a viable alternative. The result won’t be precisely like In-N-Out’s, but the flavor will be close. The point of the vinegar is, of course, acidity, and lemon supplies that.

Make it spicy – Replace a portion of the pickled relish with finely chopped pickled jalapeno if you want to create a version of In-N-Out’s spread with heat.

Use superfine sugar (if you have it) – It mixes into the sauce well without running the risk of graininess.

Storage and Freezer Tips

Store leftovers of this In-N-Out sauce copycat in an airtight container and refrigerate it for 4-5 days. Do not freeze anything made with mayonnaise because the freezing temperature will ruin the texture. As mentioned, mayonnaise is an emulsion and added moisture from freezing will compromise that. This recipe is easy to scale up or down, so only prepare what you need for the best result. The sauce takes mere minutes, and you can always make more.

This In-N-Out sauce copycat is a versatile and delicious addition to your go-to condiments. Its simplicity, affordability, and mouthwatering taste make it a go-to sauce to elevate the flavors of various dishes. Whether you’re a fan of In-N-Out or simply looking for a fantastic sauce to enhance your meals, this copycat recipe is a must-try! You can dip bacon strips in this In-N-Out spread copycat, and they would be more delicious.

Copycat In-N-Out Sauce on Burger and Animal Style Fries

In-N-Out Sauce (Spread)

Yield: 7 Ounces
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes

This In-N-Out sauce (spread) copycat is one of my favorites. It’s sweet, salty, tangy, and tastes like the original. Better yet, it comes together in minutes!

Ingredients

  • 4 ounces mayonnaise
  • 2 ounces ketchup
  • 1 ounce sweet pickle relish
  • 1 ½ teaspoons white vinegar
  • 1/8 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • ½ teaspoon granulated sugar, preferably superfine

Instructions

    1. Combine all the ingredients in a bowl except the sugar. Stir until well combined.
    2. Taste and add the sugar if necessary. The reason why the sugar is optional is that sweetness varies by brand of ketchup and relish. Some are less sweet, and some are sweeter.
    3. Use as desired.

Nutrition Information:
Yield: 7 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 125Total Fat: 12gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 7mgSodium: 245mgCarbohydrates: 4gFiber: 0gSugar: 3gProtein: 0g

This data was provided and calculated by Nutritionix.

Try These Recipes Next!

Takis Powder Seasoning
Portillo’s Chopped Salad
Homemade Velveeta Cheese
Olive Oil Coffee (Starbucks Copycat)
Homemade Marshmallows

Monique McArthur
Latest posts by Monique McArthur (see all)

Skip to Recipe