What Sauces Does Shake Shack Have, Taste Test & Pairings

What started as a hot dog stand today is a signature New York place, expanding and thriving — I’m, of course, talking about Shake Shack. I always feel happier after a delicious gulp of their milkshakes, preceded by some of the juicy meals. After the many happy experiences I’ve had with this place, I decided to honor it with an article about its sauces. So, what sauces does Shake Shack have?

Shake Shack has six sauces, including the Shack Sauce, Black Truffle Sauce, Cheese Sauce, BBQ, Honey Mustard, and Herb Mayonnaise Sauce. Since pairing them with just anything isn’t the best way to go, here are the best pairs for each.

To me, Shake Shack isn’t just a fast food place but also an inspirational story, which compelled me to dedicate an article to their sauces. Here, I’ll tell you all about their sauces and what to pair them with, so read on to enjoy your Shake Shack adventures more. 

List of Shake Shack Sauces

Below is a ranking list of their sauces from the best one onward. I have been as objective as possible, but I do understand that not everyone will agree with this ranking. This is why the details are important — so let’s get into details!

Shack Sauce 

The Shack Sauce is the signature sauce at Shake Shack and the star of Shake Shack’s sauce lineup. I love it for its creamy, tangy, and slightly smoky flavor profile, resembling a BBQ sauce, but at the same time lighter and more complex. I know it sounds odd, but it’s true. 

This sauce combines the richness of mayonnaise with the zesty kick of ketchup and mustard, tasting so good that it is almost addictive. I always like to say that this sauce is as rich and creamy as the Shake Shack shakes, so you be judged. 

It is also slightly sweet, complementing the savory components, which makes it the most versatile Shake and Shack sauce fit to pair with everything on the menu. I recommend it with the classic ShackBurger, the Crinkle-Cut Fries, or the Chicken Shack.

You can make it yourself at home — simply mix mayonnaise, ketchup, and yellow mustard with garlic powder, paprika, dill pickles, and black pepper. Here’s how to do it:

Black Truffle Sauce 

I started describing this sauce a thousand times, and each time, no description was good enough to depict its luxurious richness and depth. Maybe it’s because I am a sucker for truffles and truffle-deriving foods, but I am sure that this sauce will enchant you even if you aren’t so huge of a truffle fan. 

This sauce has the distinct earthy taste of black truffles, abundant with aromas and umami notes. It is a juicy and savory sauce featuring refined flavors and a silky texture; I’m not exaggerating. 

The only reason it is second and not first is because the black truffle sauce doesn’t pair with so many menu items as the Shack sauce. Even though it is delicious, the pronounced earthy and umami notes are a little restrictive. I recommend you pair it with ShackBurger or the Shack Stack. To make things easier, combine this sauce with beef, so this sauce should go wherever there’s beef on the Shake and Shack menu. 

Making your own truffle sauce at home is expensive and challenging. Unless you are an expert, I advise you to buy the sauce instead of making it.

Cheese Sauce 

Ranked third on this list, the Shake Shack Cheese Sauce is not bronze but pure gold medal sauce. Still, it can be a little restrictive in terms of pairing, and also, not everybody is crazy about cheese. 

Still, if you are a cheese lover, you have to try this sauce. It is smooth and velvety, combining various cheeses, resulting in a rich flavor and thick and full consistency. Still, be prepared that it may sit heavy on the stomach, so if you are a newbie, take it slow. 

I like to have it as a dipping sauce for the crinkle-cut fries, bacon cheese fries, or as an addition to my shack burger.

To make cheese sauce melt at least two types of cheese, preferably cheddar and another one, and mix with milk or cream and garlic powder. 

Honey Mustard 

I like to describe this sauce as a classic honey mustard sauce, but more mustardy, if that makes any sense. This Honey Mustard Sauce is a classic combination of tangy mustard and sweet honey, creating an excellently balanced flavor. 

What separates this honey mustard sauce is the more pronounced mustard savory note, making it a bit edgier and a whole lot more fun. It has a refreshing zing, made even more noticeable by the contrast of the honey. 

Long story short, you can combine it with everything chicken at Shake Shack. The fries are, of course, a given here. 

Mix equal parts honey and Dijon mustard and adjust the sweetness and tanginess to your preference for a homemade version of this sauce.

Herb Mayonnaise

If it were up to me, I’d make this sauce a regular member of any store. You don’t have to have a Shake Shack meal to be able to enjoy this sauce, as it can turn a plain slice of bread into a feast. 

The Shake Shack’s Herb Mayonnaise is a creamy and aromatic sauce that makes your meal lighter and richer at the same time. The mayo silkiness and creaminess make the meal incredibly tender and rich.

The herbal component adds a splash of freshness and an extra layer of an entirely different flavor. I don’t know which herbs are in this sauce, but I think that there are dill and parsley at play here. 

The herbs also make this sauce incredibly savory and vibrant, making each meal even more delightful. The herb mayonnaise sauce goes great with chicken and mushroom burgers as well as a dip for fries. I ranked it in fifth position because it can taste a little odd to people who don’t practice herbs in their food. 

To make it at home, mix mayonnaise, fresh herbs, minced garlic, perhaps some lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Here’s how Shake Shack does it:

BBQ Sauce 

At the last position, Shake Shack’s BBQ sauce is far from last place. Still, I ranked it this way with a heavy heart because it is the most restrictive in terms of pairing compared to the rest of the sauces on this list. 

This sauce offers a sweet and smoky taste with a hint of tanginess and a pronounced meaty dimension. I love it for the luxurious mouthfeel and the way it makes my food taste. This sauce works best when paired with Shake Shack’s fries, burgers, and chicken sandwiches, but not all of them. 

Even though selecting what to pair it with is ultimately personal, the shroom sandwiches are probably not the best place to put this sauce in. Still, if you are a fan of the smoky BBQ flavor, you will probably end up adding this sauce to all of your Shake Shack meals. 

For a homemade version, mix ketchup, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, and a blend of spices such as paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne pepper. 

I would love to know how your Shake Shack sauce ranking goes! You can write down your thoughts in the comments below.