Every burger joint is known for its famed “secret sauce” recipe that no outsiders are allowed to know, and Shake Shacks “Shack Sauce” is no exception. When I got my hands on the stunning cookbook Shake Shack: Recipes & Stories by Randy Garutti and Mark Rosati, I couldnt help but wonder what secrets theyd divulge. I eagerly flipped through the pages, poring over the drool-worthy photography and reading about the history of the stand, and on page 49 saw its “Shack Sauce” recipe, listed for readers at home.
Now I have a special place in my heart for that classic Shack Burger, having worked at Shake Shack when the first brick and mortar opened in the Summer of 2004. While I dont know the exact measurements for what went into the original sauce, I do know it contained homemade mayo, two different kinds of mustard, tomato paste, pickles, salt, pepper, and chipotle peppers. Since then, I know the recipe has gone through a few iterations, eventually becoming the thick, rich sauce it is today. In the cookbook, the authors even say that this sauce is “close enough” to the original. “Were surely not going to publish THE formula for our secret sauce. (Were not crazy!)” Related:
That said, I do think the sauce theyve decided to share is pretty fantastic. Using pickling brine is a really interesting component to making up a secret sauce, and that pinch of cayenne pepper is sure to spice up any burger. If you do decide to do a little home grilling action, I cannot stress enough how important the smash and grill technique is to creating the burger, as well as finding those soft potato buns, slathering them with butter, and toasting them until golden brown.
If you want to impress the burger-lover in your house, we suggest whipping up this sauce. Get grillin!
From Shake Shack: Recipes & Stories by Randy Garutti and Mark Rosati
Long ago we threw away the key to the secret recipe for Shack Sauce; but we promise to get you really close with ingredients easily found in your kitchen.
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I walked back into the restaurant, went straight up to the manager, and asked point blank: “Is the Shack Sauce a secret, or can you tell me what’s in it?” A little laugh, and then, “It’s mostly mayo, with some ketchup, mustard, a few spices, and pickles blended in.”
Now I have a special place in my heart for that classic Shack Burger, having worked at Shake Shack when the first brick and mortar opened in the Summer of 2004. While I dont know the exact measurements for what went into the original sauce, I do know it contained homemade mayo, two different kinds of mustard, tomato paste, pickles, salt, pepper, and chipotle peppers. Since then, I know the recipe has gone through a few iterations, eventually becoming the thick, rich sauce it is today. In the cookbook, the authors even say that this sauce is “close enough” to the original. “Were surely not going to publish THE formula for our secret sauce. (Were not crazy!)” Related:
If you want to impress the burger-lover in your house, we suggest whipping up this sauce. Get grillin!
Long ago we threw away the key to the secret recipe for Shack Sauce; but we promise to get you really close with ingredients easily found in your kitchen.
That said, I do think the sauce theyve decided to share is pretty fantastic. Using pickling brine is a really interesting component to making up a secret sauce, and that pinch of cayenne pepper is sure to spice up any burger. If you do decide to do a little home grilling action, I cannot stress enough how important the smash and grill technique is to creating the burger, as well as finding those soft potato buns, slathering them with butter, and toasting them until golden brown.
From Shake Shack: Recipes & Stories by Randy Garutti and Mark Rosati
Burger sauce can be such a coveted addition that many fast food restaurants keep their recipes under wraps. Take In-N-Outs famous secret “spread” — although its been replicated using mayo, ketchup, sweet pickle relish, white vinegar, and sugar, the exact recipe is still a mystery to the general public (via The Recipe Critic). In a similar vein, homemade versions of McDonalds scrumptious Big Mac sauce feature mayo, sweet pickle relish, and sugar, among other ingredients, although its essentially just Thousand Island dressing with some added relish (via Top Secret Recipes).
What makes a good burger? Depending on where youre from and how adventurous your taste buds are, that answer can vary. The meat quality, choice of bun, patty thickness, and array of toppings are all factors that can make or break a burger — some argue in favor of thicker burger patties for more moisture while others find toasted burger buns to be of the utmost importance. One polarizing ingredient that heavily impacts the flavor of most burgers, however, is the sauce.
Pickles are a classic burger accompaniment, whether theyre sliced and placed on top of the patty or made into a relish and mixed into the sauce. Shake Shack agrees, although they use pickles in a unique way to give their classic cheeseburgers a little extra oomph. As stated in their cookbook, “Shake Shack: Recipes & Stories,” ShackSauce is made using kosher dill pickle brine, along with mayo, ketchup, Dijon mustard, and cayenne pepper.
While most burger sauces incorporate the sweetness from sweet pickle relish, or just plain sugar, ShackSauce contains neither. Instead, the dill pickle brine brings saltiness and tanginess, while the cayenne pepper kicks up the heat. Could simple ingredients like these explain how Shake Shacks revenue grew by over $200 million in 2022 (via Zippia)? While the jurys still out on that one, theres no doubt that Shake Shack is an innovative force in the burger sauce arena.
Dill pickle brine will give you that same sour, salty taste that comes from eating a real dill pickle, as its essentially the juice the pickle was made in. According to Southern Living, pickle brine is the liquid in a jar of canned pickles that preserves the cucumbers inside, although it can also be used to pickle carrots, tomatoes, and more. Dill pickle brine is generally made with a combination of water, salt, dill seeds, garlic, and white vinegar, but some recipes may call for extras like mustard seeds or red pepper flakes (via Food.com).
The ShackBurger As Made By Mark Rosati • Tasty
FAQ
Is Shake Shack sauce good?
Does Shack sauce have pickles?
What is Shake Shack cheese sauce made of?
What is Shack sauce made of?
Shack sauce is made from a combination of mayonnaise, mustard, ketchup, dill pickling brine and cayenne pepper. It is also made up of other ingredients too, however, the full list of ingredients is kept a company secret and is not publically shared or made available.
What is Shake Shack sauce?
Well, here is everything you should know. So, what is Shack sauce? Shack sauce is the signature burger sauce of restaurant chain Shake Shack. It comes in most burgers, as standard and unless ordered otherwise. It is a yellow/orangey color, relatively thick in consistency, and has a creamy, sweet flavor with a hint of heat.
Can You Make your own Shake Shack sauce?
Sure, it won’t be as good as the original, but you can get pretty close with a few ingredients and some easy-to-follow directions! Below, I will walk through all the ingredients needed for making your own version of Shake Shack’s signature sauce from scratch. Read on for more details about each step in the process!
What is shaking beef sauce made of?
Shaking beef sauce made of fish sauce, oyster sauce, sweet soy sauce, sugar and sesame oil. Dipping sauce made of lime juice, kosher salt and black pepper. Red onion, watercress and tomatoes as vegetable sides. How to Make Shaking Beef?