Perfect Homemade Burger Sauce
The ultimate burger sauce — creamy mayonnaise, tangy tomato paste, sharp mustard, briny anchovy paste, and a touch of apple cider vinegar and sugar, cooked briefly in a bain-marie for a silky, thickened sauce that will elevate any burger from good to unforgettable.
| Amount | Ingredient |
|---|---|
| 3 tbsp (45 ml) | water |
| 4 tbsp (60 g) | mayonnaise |
| 1 tbsp | tomato paste (double-concentrated) |
| 1 tbsp | apple cider vinegar |
| 1 tbsp | granulated sugar |
| 1 tbsp | yellow mustard or Dijon mustard |
| 1 tsp | anchovy paste (or 2 anchovy fillets, mashed) |
| ¼ tsp | garlic powder |
| ¼ tsp | onion powder |
| Pinch | fine sea salt |
This is the sauce that makes you wonder why you ever settled for ketchup and mustard. It is creamy, tangy, slightly sweet, and deeply savory, with the anchovy paste providing an umami depth that you will not identify but will definitely miss when it is not there. The bain-marie cooking method gently thickens the sauce without scrambling the eggs in the mayonnaise, giving it a velvety texture that clings perfectly to burger patties. Make a jar on Sunday and use it all week — on burgers, hot dogs, sandwiches, fries, or as a dip for onion rings.
- In a small stainless steel or heatproof glass bowl, combine all ingredients: water, mayonnaise, tomato paste, apple cider vinegar, sugar, mustard, anchovy paste, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt. Whisk until completely smooth.
- Place the bowl over a saucepan of gently simmering water (bain-marie) — the bottom of the bowl should not touch the water. Cook, whisking constantly, for 5 to 7 minutes, until the sauce thickens to a creamy, spreadable consistency. It should coat the back of a spoon thickly.
- Remove from heat and let cool completely. Transfer to a sterilized jar and refrigerate for up to 1 week.
| Storage | Method |
|---|---|
| Refrigerator | Store in an airtight jar for up to 1 week. |
Per Serving (1 tbsp): Calories 45, Fat 3.5g, Carbs 3g, Protein 0.5g
Recipe from "The Italian Kitchen" by Vita Milanese — Volume 2: Sunday Sauce
Recipe from The Italian Kitchen by Vita Milanese — Volume 2 · Sunday Sauce. Discover all volumes on the ebook page.