A great smash burger is only half the story. The other half is the sauce. At Benny’s Smash Burgers in Plantation, FL, guests regularly ask what gives our house sauce its tangy, creamy, slightly smoky finish. Some want to recreate it at home. Others just want to know what they are tasting. This guide walks you through the exact secret sauce recipe we use as our base, why each ingredient matters, and the small details that separate a good burger sauce from a great one. The recipe follows the same food safety standards we use for house-made condiments in our restaurant kitchen.
Before you mix your first batch, it helps to understand the smash burger itself. The thin, crispy patty, melted cheese, and soft toasted bun create a specific flavor profile. The sauce has to cut through the richness, add acidity, and bring everything together. If you are new to the technique, start with our guide to what a smash burger is, then come back and finish the sauce.
What Makes Benny’s Sauce Special
The Benny sauce recipe is not complicated, but it is balanced. We use a short list of everyday condiments and one or two accents that most home cooks already have. The goal is a sauce that tastes familiar the first time you try it and interesting enough that you want it on every bite. After years of adjusting the ratios in our Plantation kitchen, we have settled on a version that works on smash burgers, fries, chicken sandwiches, and even as a dipping sauce for onion rings.
The base is mayonnaise, which gives the sauce body and helps it stick to the bun. Ketchup adds sweetness and a little tang. Yellow mustard brings sharpness. Dill pickle brine cuts the richness and adds brightness. A small amount of smoked paprika gives a subtle, earthy depth. A pinch of garlic powder and onion powder rounds out the savory notes. Finally, a dash of hot sauce is optional but recommended if you like a gentle kick on the finish. We keep our batches small and refrigerate them immediately, following standard food safety practice for house-made condiments.
What you will not find in our sauce is a long list of preservatives or stabilizers. Because we make it in small batches and use it quickly, the flavor stays bright. At home, the same recipe will keep well in the refrigerator for up to one week. For the best quality, store it in a sealed container at 40 degrees Fahrenheit or below, just as we do behind the counter at 1023 S. University Dr. The safe storage temperature and short shelf life are part of what keeps the sauce tasting fresh.
Benny’s Secret Smash Burger Sauce Ingredients
This recipe makes about one cup of sauce, enough for four to six burgers with a little extra for fries. The ingredient list is short and the measurements are flexible enough to adjust to your taste:
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise (full-fat works best for texture)
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
- 1 tablespoon dill pickle brine (or finely minced dill pickles)
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- A few dashes of your favorite hot sauce (optional)
Use dill pickle brine for the cleanest texture. If you prefer a chunkier sauce, finely mince a tablespoon of dill pickles and stir them in at the end. Sweet pickle relish is not the same thing; it adds sugar and a softer pickle flavor that can make the sauce taste more like thousand island than a smash burger sauce. We have tested both, and the dill brine version is the one our customers keep asking for.
Step-by-Step Benny Sauce Recipe
This process takes about five minutes. The hardest part is waiting thirty minutes for the flavors to meld. Here is the method we use in our kitchen:
- Step 1: Combine the base. In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, ketchup, and yellow mustard until the color is uniform.
- Step 2: Add the pickle brine. Whisk in the pickle brine one teaspoon at a time. Stop when the sauce is loose enough to spread but thick enough to cling to a spoon.
- Step 3: Season. Add the smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Whisk until fully blended.
- Step 4: Taste and adjust. Dip a fry or a small piece of bun in the sauce. If it needs more tang, add pickle brine. If it needs more sweetness, add a small squeeze of ketchup. If you want heat, add hot sauce a few drops at a time.
- Step 5: Rest. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least thirty minutes. The sauce improves as the garlic, onion, and paprika bloom in the cold.
- Step 6: Serve. Spread a thin layer on the bottom bun, add another swipe on the top bun if you like, and serve the rest on the side for fries.
Tips for the Perfect Secret Sauce at Home
Small choices make a big difference in this recipe. After testing the sauce in our kitchen at 1023 S. University Dr., these are the tips that matter most:
- Use full-fat mayonnaise. Light mayo separates and tastes thin once the vinegar and pickle brine are added.
- Do not skip the rest time. The sauce right after mixing is good. The sauce after thirty minutes in the refrigerator is noticeably better.
- Season in small amounts. It is easier to add salt or heat than to fix an over-seasoned batch.
- Adjust for your pickles. Some dill brines are saltier than others. Taste the brine by itself before measuring.
- Make it your own. The base recipe is a starting point. Add cayenne, Worcestershire, or a little honey if that matches your preference.
What to Pair With Benny’s Secret Sauce
This sauce was designed for smash burgers, but it works anywhere you want creamy tang. At our Plantation restaurant, guests use it as a dip for fries, a spread on chicken sandwiches, and even a topping for loaded tater tots. The acidity makes it especially good with rich foods. If you want to see the full menu of items that pair well with the sauce, check out the Benny’s menu.
If you are building a full meal at home, pair the sauce with a classic smash burger, seasoned fries, and a cold drink. For the burger itself, visit our Plantation smash burger guide to see how we build our signature Classic Single and Classic Double Smash. The sauce is the same one we use at Benny’s every day.
FAQ: Benny’s Secret Smash Burger Sauce Recipe
What is in Benny’s secret sauce?
Benny’s secret sauce is made from mayonnaise, ketchup, yellow mustard, dill pickle brine, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and an optional dash of hot sauce. The balance of creamy, tangy, and smoky flavors is what makes it unique.
Can I make Benny’s sauce ahead of time?
Yes. The sauce actually tastes better after it sits in the refrigerator for thirty minutes to an hour. Store it in a covered container for up to one week. Stir before serving.
Is Benny’s sauce the same as thousand island dressing?
No. Thousand island is sweeter and often chunkier because of relish. Benny’s sauce uses dill pickle brine instead of relish and relies on smoked paprika and mustard for depth rather than sweetness.
What is the best way to use Benny’s secret sauce on a burger?
Spread a thin layer on the bottom toasted bun, place the patty and cheese directly on top of the sauce, then add toppings. The sauce binds the bun to the burger so every bite has flavor from bottom to top.
Can I buy Benny’s sauce at the restaurant?
We do not sell the sauce by the jar, but you can always ask for extra on the side when you order in person at 1023 S. University Dr. in Plantation, FL. You can also make this recipe at home with common grocery store ingredients.
Final Thoughts
The right sauce does not hide a burger. It completes it. Our benny sauce recipe is simple enough to make at home and balanced enough to use on burgers, fries, sandwiches, and more. If you want to taste the original, stop by Benny’s Smash Burgers in Plantation, order any smash burger, and you will get a swipe of this sauce on every bun. If you want to bring the flavor home, mix a batch tonight and let it rest in the refrigerator while you prep the rest of dinner. For questions, call us at (954) 999-5568.
Last updated: July 31, 2026.
