What Is Papa John’s Signature Burger Sauce? [Recipe Included]
Did anyone say secret sauce? Well, you are in for a treat, as secret sauces are my kryptonite! Papa John’s is yet another fast-food place that I love. I am not really picky since fast food is the love of my life, but I do know food, and Papa John’s deserves every ounce of respect I have for it.
The secret sauce at Papa John’s is both a mystery and a delight, so it was worth the “grand sacrifice” of having it over and over until I hacked it as much as possible. I am here to tell you that you can make a copycat sauce very similar to this one, so keep reading to find out more.
What Is Papa John’s Signature Secret Sauce and What Does It Taste Like?
Papa John’s is an ingenious culinary as well as business move made by the chain as they have found a way to set their food apart even more with this mystery sauce. The recipe is very low-profile, and the exact quantities and ingredients are known to a privileged few.
Still, it includes flavors that are already familiar to the American palate, so with a little effort, you can extract some info from the sauce.
Papa John’s signature burger sauce has a uniquely creamy texture and a very rich consistency. It balances tanginess, sweetness, and a subtle hint of savory spices, making it an excellent contrast to pizza toppings.
Although the exact sauce composition is heavily shrouded in mystery, it most likely contains mayonnaise, ketchup, dill pickles, garlic powder, and black pepper.
How to Make Papa John’s Signature Burger Sauce at Home?
Even though the exact recipe is a well-kept secret, the taste of Papa John’s secret burger sauce is familiar to the palate, which helped me to create my own copycat recipe. Although it doesn’t taste exactly the same, it is pretty close.
The base ingredients are mayonnaise, ketchup, dill pickles, garlic powder, and black pepper. The making procedure can’t be simpler since it only involves mixing and seasoning. Pop all the ingredients into a mixing bowl and mix until you get a nice smooth consistency.
Once the ingredients homogenize, you are done!
Once the sauce reaches your desired flavor, cover the bowl and refrigerate it for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
Storing Tips
To enjoy your sauce as long as possible and have it safe, fresh, and delicious all the while, proper storage is a must. So, keep it refrigerated at all times.
The best way to store it would be in an airtight container, but when I don’t have one available, I usually just use a glass jar or a regular plastic container with a good lid.
Seal the lid as tight as possible.
When you want to have some sauce, scoop as much as you need and return the rest to the fridge. Don’t contaminate the sauce using unclean utensils, and always check their condition before using them.
Never freeze this sauce, as it will be completely ruined when defrosted.
Papa John’s Signature Burger Sauce
Ingredients
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 1 tablespoon sweet pickle relish
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Mix all the ingredients together. Don't stop stirring until all the ingredients homogenize.
- Cover the bowl and refrigerate it for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
Notes
Nutrition
Before diving into the nutritional details, please review our Nutritional Disclaimer page for important context and clarifications.
