How to Make In-N-Out Spread (Copycat Sauce)

In-N-Out Spread is a creamy, tangy sauce that gives In-N-Out's burgers and Animal Style Fries their signature flavor! It takes 5 common ingredients and a few minutes to make.

If you haven't had In-N-Out, bring a taste of California to your kitchen with this creamy sauce inspired by In-N-Out's secret spread. It's a sweet and savory spread for burgers, fries, salad, and vegetables! It tastes similar to thousand island dressing with a little more tang and sweetness.

Jump to:

• About In-N-Out Sauce
• Ingredients
• Instructions
• What to Serve with In-N-Out Sauce
• FAQ
• Substitutions
• Variations
• Equipment
• Storage
• Top tips
• Did You Like This Recipe?
• How to Make In-N-Out Spread (Copycat Sauce)
• Storage
• Top tips
• Food safety

About In-N-Out Sauce

• Taste - The combination of ingredients create a uniquely tangy, salty, and slightly sweet spread similar to thousand island dressing.
• Texture - The sauce is creamy yet light, with bits of sweet pickle relish.
• Effort - All you need to do is add the ingredients to a small bowl and whisk!
• Time - It takes just a few minutes to assemble and mix the ingredients.

Ingredients

• Mayonnaise - Mayo is the base for the In-N-Out sauce. We prefer kewpie mayo because it has a rich umami flavor and an extra creamy consistency.
• Ketchup - Ketchup adds a sweet and slightly vinegary taste to the sauce.
• Sweet pickle relish - Pickle relish adds pickled flavoring and tartness.
• White vinegar - Vinegar provides tanginess and acidity.
• Sugar - Sugar adds a light sweetness to the sauce.

See recipe card for quantities.

Instructions

• Whisk ingredients - Add mayonnaise, ketchup, sweet pickle relish, white vinegar, and sugar to a small or medium bowl and whisk until combined.
• Chill then serve - Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving.

Hint: If you are making this with a dish like our Animal Style Fries (In-N-Out Copycat), you can mix the ingredients for the In-N-Out sauce while the other dish cooks to save time.

What to Serve with In-N-Out Sauce

This In-N-Out sauce is an easy condiment that can be used as a burger spread, on animal style fries, or as a dipping sauce for classic french fries and veggies. Check out these dishes that pair deliciously with In-N-Out sauce:

• Parmesan Truffle Fries
• Roasted Asparagus with Parmesan
• 10 -Minute Sautéed Broccolini (Broccoletti)
• Pesto Swiss And Turkey Skillet Sliders (replace the Pesto with In-N-Out Sauce)

FAQ

Substitutions

• Regular mayo - Instead of regular mayo, you can use Kewpie mayo. It will have less of an umami flavor but will still be delicious.
• Sweet Jalapeño Pickle Relish - Use sweet Jalapeño pickle instead of sweet pickle relish if you want to make the sauce slightly spicier or just like the taste of pickled jalapeños.
• Vegan - Use vegan mayo instead of regular mayo to make this recipe vegan.
• Truffle ketchup - Use truffle ketchup instead of regular ketchup to add a truffle flavor to the spread.

Variations

• Spicy - Add black pepper, chili powder, or cajun seasoning for a spicy kick.

Equipment

This burger sauce recipe calls for just a few common kitchen essentials, including measuring spoons, a mixing bowl, and a spoon or chopsticks to mix.

Storage

Store In-N-Out sauce in the refrigerator in an air-tight container up to 5 days. Before using it again, stir it softly until it reaches its original consistency. These ingredients don't stand up well to freezing.

Food safety

• Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods

See more guidelines at USDA.gov.