The Copycat In-N-Out Sauce Recipe You'll Want to Put on Everything
Prep: 10 mins Chill: 30–120 mins Yield: ~1.5 cups See recipe card for live cost
Anne Rose
I don't live anywhere near an In-N-Out. So I figured out how to bring the sauce to me — and now it goes on more than just burgers.
Okay, we need to talk about In-N-Out sauce. I grew up nowhere near a West Coast In-N-Out, which meant I spent years watching people online lose their minds over “Animal Style” with zero context. Then I finally had it. Then I understood.
It's not really about the burger — it's the sauce. It's on the burger, it's on the fries, and if you ask nicely they'll hand over extra cups of a bright, orange-pink sauce that tastes like Thousand Island got a personality transplant. I don't have an In-N-Out anywhere near me, so I made a batch, handed it to friends who'd had the real thing, and kept adjusting until they all agreed it was right. Turns out it's not a secret restaurant formula — it's five ingredients most people already have in the fridge.
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Five Ingredients, Real In-N-Out Flavor
Full-fat mayo, ketchup, sweet pickle relish, vinegar, and sugar — mix in about ten minutes, chill until the flavors settle, and you've got copycat In-N-Out sauce for burgers, fries, and honestly everything.
- Prep Time 10 mins
- Chill Time 30–120 mins
- Yield ~1.5 cups
- Cost / Serving See card
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My Kitchen Tools
These are the tools I use and love to make this recipe (and life in the kitchen!) easier. You don't need any fancy equipment—just a few favorites that make a big difference!
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Recommended
Mixing Bowl
A roomy stainless bowl makes it easy to whisk mayo and ketchup smooth before the relish goes in — stackable and dishwasher-safe.
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Optional
Whisk
A simple whisk blends the mayo and ketchup with no streaks before the relish, vinegar, and sugar go in — a fork works in a pinch.
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Optional
Squeeze Bottles
Something to store the sauce in while it chills — a wide-mouth jar or squeeze bottle both work, and the squeeze bottle makes serving it on fries a lot easier.
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Sauces & Dips
Recipe Title
Cost: $0.00 recipe / $0.00 serving
Mix, chill, and serve — photos of the finished sauce are above.
Mix, chill, and serve — photos of the finished sauce are above.
Ingredients
Instructions
Notes
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Nutrition Information
Serving:
Calories:
Serving Suggestions
Burgers (animal style), fries, onion rings, grilled chicken, hot dogs, sandwiches and wraps, raw veggies — the honest answer is everything. Keep a bottle in the fridge and you'll find yourself reaching for it more than you expect.
Storing
Chill at least 30 minutes before serving (ideally 1–2 hours). Store in an airtight container or squeeze bottle in the fridge for about 5–7 days. Stir before serving.
This is a cold dipping sauce — no reheating needed. Give it a quick stir if it has been sitting a few days.
FAQ & Substitution Tips for This Sauce
Quick answers to the questions that come up every time someone makes this copycat In-N-Out sauce at home:
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Can I use light mayo or Miracle Whip? Skip both — light mayo and Miracle Whip throw off the balance. Use real, full-fat mayo (Duke's or Hellmann's/Best Foods).
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Can I swap the relish? Don't sub plain chopped pickles or pickle juice — sweet pickle relish is what gives the signature tang-sweet balance.
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Do I have to chill it? It's edible right after mixing, but 30 minutes to 2 hours in the fridge makes a noticeable difference.
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Want it tangier and less sweet? Swap the relish and sugar for 1/4 cup mustard plus 1 diced dill pickle — a legitimate TikTok variation.
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