Dinner

The Best Burger & Secret Sauce Recipe

ByClara Bennett February 16, 2026February 16, 2026

Introduction

There’s nothing quite like a juicy, flavorful burger made from scratch. This recipe combines a perfectly seasoned beef patty with a creamy, tangy secret sauce that will take your burger to the next level. It’s easy to prepare and sure to impress at any meal.

A sesame seed bun sandwich shows five main layers: at the bottom is bright green lettuce with smooth, curved leaves; above it, a thick, dark brown, juicy beef patty with a slightly rough texture; on top of the patty, creamy, light orange sauce dripping down the sides; above the sauce, several greenish-pickle slices with a bumpy texture; next, a thick slice of red tomato with a smooth surface; above the tomato, two slices of purple-red onion rings; all covered by a golden-brown sesame seed bun sprinkled with white and black sesame seeds, slightly shiny and textured. The sandwich is served on a white plate with a subtle round shape, placed on a white marbled surface, with a blurred background showing a jar with wooden pepper grinder. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 pound 80/20 ground beef
½ teaspoon onion powder
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon cracked black pepper
Sesame seed buns, for serving
⅓ cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon ketchup
1 tablespoon sweet relish
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
½ teaspoon seasoned salt

Instructions

Step 1: Heat your grill to medium-high while you prepare the burger patties.
Step 2: In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and cracked black pepper. Mix gently to combine without overworking the meat.
Step 3: Shape the mixture into patties about 1 inch thick. Make a slight indentation in the center of each patty to help them cook evenly and prevent puffing up.
Step 4: Place the patties on the grill and cook for 4–6 minutes on one side, watching carefully to avoid burning. Flip and cook to your preferred level of doneness.
Step 5: While the burgers cook, whisk together mayonnaise, ketchup, sweet relish, Worcestershire sauce, and seasoned salt in a small bowl to make the secret sauce. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
Step 6: Assemble the cooked burgers on sesame seed buns, spread with the secret sauce, and add your favorite toppings before serving.

Tips & Variations

For an extra smoky flavor, add a dash of smoked paprika to the beef mixture.
You can swap out sweet relish for chopped pickles if you prefer a tangier sauce.
Use freshly ground black pepper for the best aroma and flavor.
If you don’t have a grill, cook the patties in a hot cast-iron skillet for a similar result.

Storage

Store any leftover cooked burgers and sauce separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat the patties gently in a skillet or microwave, and stir the sauce before serving as it may thicken when chilled.