America's Test Kitchen LogoCook's Country LogoCook's Illustrated Logo
Recipe Spotlight

How to Make Pub-Style Burger Sauce at Home

 Pack the umami from your pantry into one sauce.
By

Published July 29, 2022.

How to Make Pub-Style Burger Sauce at Home

You might be slathering your burger in ketchup, and there’s nothing wrong with that. From time to time you may even kick things up a notch with a classic ketchup and mayo–based “special sauce.”

But if you’re looking for a way to take your burgers to new heights, look no further than a pub-style burger sauce. 

Whereas a classic burger sauce is sweet and tangy, pub-style burger sauce’s ingredients are far more savory. Ketchup is swapped out for Worcestershire and soy sauce. The result is smoky, umami-rich, and a little sweet. 

Sign up for the Notes from the Test Kitchen newsletter

Our favorite tips and recipes, enjoyed by 2 million+ subscribers!

And wow, does this sauce layer on the flavor.

The pub sauce perfectly complements a great medium burger hot off the grill. It amps up an already-meaty burger or any other sandwich that could use a little more smoke. You could even dip these crispy Easier French Fries in it for a fully indulgent experience.

Best of all, this sauce takes no time to make. Simply mince some garlic and chives and stir the rest of the ingredients together. That’s it. The sauce is ready for the buns. Here’s the full recipe: 

Pub-Style Burger Sauce

Makes about 1 cup of sauce

Ingredients:

  • ¾ cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon packed dark brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tablespoon minced fresh chives
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • ¾ teaspoon ground black pepper


Instructions: 

Whisk all ingredients together into a bowl.

Your Guide to Burger Brilliance

Take a deep dive into achieving burger greatness. This book covers updated classics, regional favorites, homemade everything (from meat blends to pretzel buns), and craft-burger creations, plus fries and other sides and frosty drinks.

This is a members' feature.