If you’re craving that iconic California burger joint flavor at home, this Copycat In and Out Sauce Recipe is your perfect kitchen secret weapon. With just a few simple pantry staples, you can whip up a creamy, tangy, utterly craveable sauce that transforms any burger or fry night into a special event. Trust me—once you taste it, you’ll never settle for plain ketchup again!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Fast & Fuss-Free: Just stir a handful of ingredients together, chill, and you’re ready to sauce up your burgers and fries in minutes.
- Spot-On Authentic Flavor: This Copycat In and Out Sauce Recipe nails that unmistakable tangy, creamy, sweet-yet-savory taste everyone loves.
- Easy to Customize: Make it sweeter, tangier, or even a little spicy—your house, your rules!
- Crowd-Pleasing Versatility: Pair it with burgers, fries, onion rings, or even as a dip for veggies—there are endless ways to enjoy it.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You’ll be amazed how a few kitchen staples join forces to create sauce magic. Every ingredient in this Copycat In and Out Sauce Recipe is essential—the creamy base, tangy zip, and sweet crunch all contribute to that unmistakable flavor and gorgeous pink-orange hue!
- Mayonnaise: For ultra-creamy texture and rich, smooth body—Duke’s is my favorite, but use your go-to brand (skip Miracle Whip for best results).
- Ketchup: Lends sweetness, color, and a savory tomato undertone that’s crucial for that signature taste.
- Sweet Pickle Relish: Adds sweet, tangy crunch throughout—classic for the OG flavor, but feel free to try it with dill for a twist.
- White Distilled Vinegar: A touch of acid for brightness and zip that balances the sauce perfectly.
- Sugar: Just a little, to smooth out the tang and bring out that special sweet-savory balance.
- Salt & Pepper (optional): Taste and adjust after mixing—some ketchups and relishes are saltier than others.
Variations
The best part about homemade Copycat In and Out Sauce Recipe? You can totally make it your own! Whether you’re watching your sugar, embracing bold flavors, or catering to dietary needs, a little tweak goes a long way.
- Dill Kick: Swap the sweet relish for chopped dill pickles or dill relish if you love a sharper, more savory bite.
- Spicy Upgrade: Stir in a squirt of Sriracha, a pinch of cayenne, or some diced jalapeño for heat lovers.
- Low-Sugar Version: Use a sugar-free ketchup and reduce or omit the extra sugar to keep things lighter.
- Vegan Swap: Use your favorite vegan mayo to make this sauce totally plant-based—nobody will know the difference!
How to Make Copycat In and Out Sauce Recipe
Step 1: Combine the Ingredients
Find yourself a medium mixing bowl, and simply add the mayonnaise, ketchup, sweet pickle relish, white vinegar, and sugar. No fancy equipment needed—just a good rubber spatula or spoon will do the trick!
Step 2: Mix and Taste
Mix everything together until you have a beautifully smooth and evenly colored sauce. Now’s the moment to taste—add a pinch of salt and black pepper if you feel it needs a little extra zing. Go ahead, dip a fry to make sure it’s just right!
Step 3: Chill and Let the Flavors Mingle
Cover the bowl and pop your Copycat In and Out Sauce Recipe in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes (an hour is even better). This simple step lets all those creamy, tangy, sweet, and crunchy flavors really come together. It’s totally worth the wait!
Pro Tips for Making Copycat In and Out Sauce Recipe
- Don’t Rush the Chill: The flavor payoff is huge—30 minutes in the fridge melds the ingredients until they’re utterly irresistible.
- Go For Quality Mayo: Using a high-quality mayo like Duke’s really ramps up that rich, authentic taste—don’t cut corners with low-fat or Miracle Whip here.
- Balance with Vinegar: If your sauce tastes too sweet or heavy, add another splash of vinegar for a bit more tang—it’s the secret to that fast-food magic.
- Make It Fresh, Use It Often: This sauce is so easy, you don’t need to make giant batches—just whip up what you’ll use in a week for the freshest flavor.
How to Serve Copycat In and Out Sauce Recipe
Garnishes
A sprinkle of chopped chives or a dusting of freshly cracked black pepper looks gorgeous atop this rosy sauce. For burger night, add a few paper-thin slices of fresh onion or an extra dollop of relish on the side for extra crunch and color.
Side Dishes
This Copycat In and Out Sauce Recipe was made for fries of all sorts—crinkle, shoestring, sweet potato, you name it! Of course, don’t stop there: onion rings, tater tots, grilled veggies, or even chicken tenders are all begging for a dunk.
Creative Ways to Present
Spoon the sauce into mini ramekins for individual dipping, or swirl it into little bowls and set out alongside a tray of slider fixings. Hosting a party? Serve the sauce with a platter of roasted potatoes, cut veggies, or drizzle it in zigzags over smash burgers for that “food truck” vibe.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once you’ve fallen in love with this Copycat In and Out Sauce Recipe, you’ll want to keep it on hand! Just transfer leftovers to an airtight container and refrigerate—they’ll taste fresh for about 7 days (if you don’t polish them off sooner).
Freezing
This is one recipe you’ll want to skip freezing—mayonnaise-based sauces just don’t hold up well in the freezer and can separate or become watery when thawed. Thankfully, it’s so quick to make, there’s really no need!
Reheating
No reheating needed—just give your sauce a good stir after its time in the fridge. If it thickens up, let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes and stir again before serving—it’ll be perfect.
FAQs
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Can I make this Copycat In and Out Sauce Recipe ahead of time?
Absolutely! In fact, chilling the sauce for at least 30 minutes (or even overnight) only deepens the flavor and allows the ingredients to meld together beautifully. Just keep it tightly sealed in the fridge.
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What if I don’t have sweet pickle relish—can I substitute something else?
No sweet relish? No worries! Try chopped dill pickles, dill relish, or even a mix of chopped pickles and a tiny pinch of sugar. The flavor will be slightly tangier, but still delicious.
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Is this Copycat In and Out Sauce Recipe gluten-free?
It sure can be! Just double check that your mayo, ketchup, and relish are gluten-free brands (most are, but it always pays to read the label) and you’re all set.
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How long will this sauce keep in the refrigerator?
Your homemade Copycat In and Out Sauce Recipe will keep delicious and fresh, covered in the fridge, for about a week. Just give it a quick stir before serving.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve ever wished that famous burger flavor could come to your kitchen, this Copycat In and Out Sauce Recipe is the answer. It’s fun, easy, and sure to wow your family and friends—give it a try and let your homemade creations shine!
Print
Copycat In and Out Sauce Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Condiment
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Copycat In-N-Out Sauce recipe is a delicious and easy way to recreate the famous burger joint’s iconic spread at home. Creamy, tangy, and slightly sweet, this sauce is perfect for burgers, fries, or as a dipping sauce for your favorite snacks.
Ingredients
Ingredients:
- 1/3 cup mayonnaise
- 3 tablespoons ketchup
- 2 tablespoons sweet pickle relish
- 2 teaspoons white distilled vinegar
- 1 1/3 teaspoons sugar
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients: In a medium bowl, mix together mayonnaise, ketchup, sweet pickle relish, white distilled vinegar, and sugar.
- Taste and season: Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to taste.
- Chill: Refrigerate the sauce for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
- Serve: Use on burgers, fries, or as a tasty dipping sauce.
Notes
- Duke’s mayo is recommended for the best flavor.
- Use sweet relish for authenticity, but dill pickles can be substituted.
- Chill the sauce for at least 30 minutes before serving.
- Avoid freezing the sauce; it keeps well in the refrigerator.
- Enjoy with your favorite snacks!
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 70
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 6g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 0g
- Cholesterol: 5mg
