Pit beef—a sandwich featuring paper-thin, rosy roast beef heaped onto a fluffy kaiser roll and covered with sliced onions—is a Baltimore classic. But what really makes it shine is the horseradish-mayo sauce that accompanies it: the famous tiger sauce.
Recipes
How to Make Tiger Sauce, a Baltimore Classic with Real Bite
The perfect companion for Baltimore pit beef.
By Published May 23, 2023
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10 ingredients. 45 minutes. Quick, easy, and fresh weeknight recipes.
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Pit beef enthusiasts all have their favorite versions of the iconic tiger sauce, but the authentic recipe—and our easy stir-together version—is simpler than you may think and has become a staple of Baltimore’s food culture.
For our Tiger Sauce, simply whisk mayonnaise, prepared horseradish, lemon juice, garlic, salt, and pepper together in a small bowl while the beef is roasting or even ahead of time—it’ll last for two days in the refrigerator. Watch the video below for the recipe, along with our Baltimore Pit Beef sandwich!
For those true Baltimoreans who may be skeptical that such a simple sauce could emulate their hometown classic, don’t take our word for it; our comment section says it all.
Web user Nicole C said of the recipe, “My husband’s family used to vacation in Ocean City, and he went to college in Baltimore. This sandwich is part of his DNA. We’ve followed the recipe exactly many times, and it’s excellent.”
Whether you’re adding it to a pit beef sandwich; drizzling it on top of a simple roast beef dinner; or using it in a tuna or chicken salad, deviled eggs, or on a tomato sandwich, this regional gem will turn any meal up to the next level.