Slather your burgers with this homemade, smoky maple burger sauce. The maple syrup adds sweetness to the spicy mustard and bold hickory smoke in a creamy base, pairing perfectly with grilled beef burgers, pulled pork and more. This 4-ingredient sauce takes only minutes to prepare, so keep this recipe in mind when you host your next barbecue.
I came up with the idea for this recipe when experimenting with liquid smoke and it’s become my new, favorite summer condiment.
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Ingredients
This recipe uses 4 simple ingredients:
Mayonnaise. The thicker the better.
Liquid Smoke. To make liquid smoke, manufacturers condense and distill the smoke and steam from a fire into a concentrate.
This liquid infuses your ingredients with the same smoky flavor that you'd get from a smoker or barbecue grill. Concentrates have intense flavors, so add small amounts--you'll probably need less than you think. You can get it online here.
Maple Syrup. Artificial syrup usually comes from high-fructose corn syrup with added flavorings. If you want the full experience with this smoky sauce, it is best to pick up a bottle of real maple syrup made from tree sap.
This syrup comes in light and dark varieties with different tastes. Light syrup will have a more mild flavor whereas amber and dark syrup will have a more pronounced maple flavor. Amber is the type you’ll typically find in the grocery store. I suggest using either amber or dark syrup for this recipe so that the classic maple flavor comes through.
Whole Grain Dijon Mustard. Whole grain Dijon has a 50/50 mixture of yellow mustard seeds (more mild in flavor) and brown mustard seeds (more sharp in flavor). It adds a nice hit of flavor to the sauce.
*Check recipe card for ingredient amounts.
How to Make it
Step 1. Add all of the ingredients to a small bowl.
Step 2. Whisk the mixture until smooth and combined.
Step 3. Transfer to a squeeze bottle or glass jar. Use this sauce to top burgers or as a dip for yam fries etc.
Top Tip
I always use the same brand of mayo, but sometimes the consistency is a little thinner than normal, making the sauce liquidy. My secret ingredient to thicken it up is guar gum. I only use it if the sauce is too runny.
All you have to do is sprinkle ¼ teaspoon of the guar gum into the finished sauce while whisking, until it thickens. Once it's been chilled in the fridge, it thickens up more. Do not use more than called for because it will turn out, well, gummy.
Serving Suggestions
Once you've made your sauce, you can douse it on your typical BBQ mains and sides: burgers (such as bison burgers, beef, chicken, turkey, vegetarian black bean etc.), steaks, hot dogs, ribs, potato fries, yam fries and grilled bread.
I usually break out this sauce for barbecues, but you can experiment with sit-down dishes, such as slow-cooker pulled pork burgers and saucy meatballs.
Storage
Store your finished sauce in a bottle or jar in the refrigerator for up to 2 months.
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📋Recipe
Smoky Maple Burger Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 2 teaspoons whole grain dijon mustard
- 2 teaspoons liquid hickory smoke
- ¼ teaspoon guar gum - optional
Instructions
- In a small bowl or measuring cup, whisk the mayo, maple syrup, dijon mustard and liquid smoke together until combined.
- Transfer to a squeeze bottle or glass jar. Use this sauce to top burgers or as a dip for yam fries etc.
- To Thicken the Sauce (Optional): If you would like a thicker burger sauce, follow this step. Slowly sprinkle the guar gum into the sauce while whisking. Continue to whisk until it thickens. It will become more thick once refrigerated.
Notes
- Store covered in the refrigerator for up to two months.
- I only use the guar gum if the sauce turns out thin. This will depend on the mayo. Don't add more than called for or it will turn out gummy.
- Once you've made your sauce, you can douse it on your typical BBQ mains and sides: burgers (such as bison burgers, beef, chicken, turkey, vegetarian black bean etc.), steaks, hot dogs, ribs, potato fries, yam fries and grilled bread.
Nutrition
Nutrition information on In the Kitch is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. It may not include toppings and/or sauces.
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