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    The Heirloom Pantry » Dressings and Sauces

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

    Published: Jun 10, 2022 · Modified: Sep 13, 2023 by Kathleen Higashiyama · The following content may contain paid links. When you click and shop the links, we receive a commission.

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    In-N-Out copycat secret spread sauce in a ramekin with animal-style French fries.

    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.

    In-N-Out copycat secret spread sauce in a ramekin with animal-style French fries.

    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
    • Substitutions and Variations
    • Instructions
    • What to Serve with In-N-Out Sauce
    • Recipe FAQs
    • Storage
    • Top Tips
    • Related Recipes
    • Did You Like This Recipe?
    • How to Make In-N-Out Spread (Copycat Sauce)

    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

    Ingredients to make In-N-Out copycat secret spread sauce.
    • 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.

    Substitutions and Variations

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

    Instructions

    Steps to make In-N-Out copycat secret spread sauce.
    • 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.

    Pro tip - If you are making this with a dish like our Animal Style Fries, you can mix the ingredients for the In-N-Out sauce while the fries cook 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 other dishes that also 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)

    Recipe FAQs

    Is In-N-Out sauce gluten-free?

    Yes, all of the ingredients in this recipe are gluten free.

    What is the difference between In-N-Out sauce and Thousand Island Dressing?

    In-N-Out sauce is slightly tangier than thousand island dressing which is likely due to the higher amount of relish in In-N-Out sauce.

    Is In-N-Out sauce vegetarian or vegan?

    This recipe is vegetarian but not vegan because it contains mayo which has egg.

    Why is In-N-Out so popular?

    They have fresh food and fresh ingredients at a reasonable price. For example, their beef patties are 100 percent pure beef, additive free, and are never frozen prior to serving.

    Why is In-N-Out only on the west coast?

    In N Out is only in 6 states: California, Oregon, Nevada, Arizona, Utah, and Texas. The main reason they don't expand to the East coast is because it would require them to freeze their meat, sacrificing the quality.

    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.

    Top Tips

    • Use a baking spatula to scrape all of the sauce from the mixing bowl and eliminate food waste.
    • For fresh sauce, do not leave the sauce out at room temperature for an extended period of time. This sauce contains mayo, which can spoil if not refrigerated.

    Related Recipes

    If you loved this In-N-Out thousand island dressing sauce recipe, please rate and comment below! For more condiment and sauce recipes, check out:

    • Spicy Kewpie Mayo (Sauce for Poke, Sushi, and More)
    • Truffle Aioli (Truffle Mayo)
    • Healthy Greek Yogurt Ranch Dressing
    • Spicy Sriracha Aioli
    • 5 Minute Kale Pesto (with Walnuts)
    • Chipotle Mayo Sauce
    • Yuzu Ponzu Sauce
    • 5 Minute Basil Pesto (Without Pine Nuts)
    • Wasabi Mayo Aioli Sauce
    • How to Caramelize Onions for Burgers

    Did You Like This Recipe?

    Love this In-N-Out Sauce recipe? Please leave a 5-star rating in the recipe card below & consider leaving a comment below. Thanks in advance!

    Sign up for THP's newsletter and keep in touch on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, TikTok, and YouTube. If you make this recipe, tag #theheirloompantry so we can see your homemade sauce!

    In-N-Out copycat secret spread sauce in a ramekin with animal-style French fries.
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    5 from 5 votes

    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. 
    Prep Time2 minutes mins
    Refrigerate Time30 minutes mins
    Total Time32 minutes mins
    Course: Condiment
    Cuisine: American
    Servings: 4
    Calories: 112kcal
    Author: Kathleen Higashiyama

    Equipment

    • 1 Measuring spoons
    • 1 Mixing bowls

    Ingredients 

    • 4 tablespoon mayonnaise
    • 2 tablespoon ketchup
    • 1 tablespoon sweet pickle relish
    • 1 teaspoon white vinegar
    • 1 teaspoon sugar
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions

    • Whisk ingredients - Add mayonnaise, ketchup, sweet pickle relish, white vinegar, and sugar to a bowl and whisk until combined.
      4 tablespoon mayonnaise, 2 tablespoon ketchup, 1 tablespoon sweet pickle relish, 1 teaspoon white vinegar, 1 teaspoon sugar
    • Chill then serve - Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving.

    Notes

    Storage
    Refrigerate leftover In-N-Out sauce 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.
    Top Tips
    • Use a baking spatula to scrape all of the sauce from the mixing bowl and eliminate food waste.
    • For fresh sauce, do not leave the sauce out at room temperature for an extended period of time.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 112kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 6mg | Sodium: 187mg | Potassium: 25mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 93IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 2mg | Iron: 1mg
    Keyword: animal style sauce, how to make in and out sauce, how to make in n out sauce, in and out sauce, in n out burger sauce, In N Out Sauce, in n out sauce recipe, in n out secret sauce, in n out spread, in n out spread ingredients, in n out spread recipe
    Tried this recipe?Mention @theheirloompantry or tag #theheirloompantry!

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    About the Author

    Kat Higashiyama and Alec Totto are recipe developers, food photographers, and the authors behind The Heirloom Pantry. Since 2017, they have shared recipes inspired by their Japanese and Italian heritage and California and Hawaii roots. They reside in San Jose with their two dogs, Peeps and Paisley. Read More…

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