The creamy, tangy sauce on Waffle House Texas melts is the part people try to copy most. It is simple: mayo, a little ketchup, mustard, relish and a few pantry spices. You can mix it in 5 minutes and keep it in the fridge for a week.
Waffle House does not share its official recipe, so this is our copycat version. It tastes close on a Texas patty melt, a burger or a plate of copycat hash browns.
| Prep time | 5 minutes |
| Cook time | None |
| Servings | About 1 cup (16 tablespoons) |
| Calories | About 90 calories per tablespoon |
Ingredients
- ¾ cup mayonnaise (Duke’s or Hellmann’s)
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
- 1 tablespoon sweet pickle relish
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika
- Pinch of black pepper
- 1 teaspoon pickle juice or white vinegar (optional, for more tang)
How to Make Waffle House Sauce
- Add the mayo, ketchup and mustard to a small bowl and whisk until smooth and evenly pink.
- Stir in the relish, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika and pepper.
- Taste it. Add pickle juice for more tang or a little more ketchup if you like it sweeter.
- Cover and chill for at least 30 minutes. The flavors blend and the sauce gets thicker.
- Spoon it into a squeeze bottle so it is easy to use on sandwiches.
Tools We Use for This Recipe
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- Squeeze bottles: Keep the sauce ready in the fridge and add a neat line to every melt.
Check price on Amazon → - Glass mixing bowls: A small bowl for mixing and a bigger one for burger meat.
Check price on Amazon → - Silicone whisk: Blends mayo and ketchup fast without lumps.
Check price on Amazon →
How to Use It
- Spread it on both slices of Texas toast for a copycat Waffle House patty melt.
- Use it as a burger sauce or a dip for fries and onion rings.
- Drizzle it over scattered hash browns with cheese.
- Add it to a grilled chicken sandwich or a BLT.
Tips for the Best Flavor
- Use full-fat mayo. Light mayo makes the sauce thin.
- Let it rest. Sauce made a few hours ahead tastes better than sauce used right away.
- Store it in a sealed jar or squeeze bottle in the fridge for up to 7 days.
FAQ
What is Waffle House sauce made of?
Waffle House has not shared its recipe. Most copycat versions, including ours, use mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, relish and spices like garlic powder and paprika.
Is Waffle House sauce the same as Big Mac sauce?
They are close cousins. Both are mayo-based with relish. Our Waffle House version has more mustard and a little smoky paprika.
Can I buy Waffle House sauce?
As far as we know, the melt sauce is not sold in stores. Making it at home is the easiest way to get it.
How long does homemade Waffle House sauce last?
Up to 7 days in a sealed container in the fridge.
Want more copycat recipes? See our copycat Waffle House waffle recipe and the full Waffle House lunch and dinner menu.
