Homemade Wendy’s Wednesday Sauce Recipe

But what exactly makes Wednesday Sauce so crave-worthy and can you recreate it at home? In today’s post, we’ll unveil the secrets behind Wendy’s Wednesday Sauce, break down the key ingredients, and show you how to whip up a delicious homemade version that captures all of the flavor you love.

What Is Wendy’s Wednesday Sauce?

Wendy’s Wednesday Sauce is part of a special collaboration between Wendy’s and Netflix’s “Wednesday” series, released with the “Meal of Misfortune.”

Ingredients:

• ½ cup mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons ketchup
• 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
• 1 tablespoon sweet pickle relish
• 2 teaspoons white vinegar
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• ¼ teaspoon onion powder
• ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
• Pinch of salt
• Pinch of black pepper
• (Optional: For a spicy kick, add a dash of hot sauce or a pinch of cayenne pepper.)

Instructions:

1. Mix the base: In a medium bowl, combine mayonnaise, ketchup, and mustard. Whisk until smooth.
2. Add the tang and sweetness: Stir in sweet pickle relish, white vinegar, and sugar. Mix well to incorporate all flavors.
3. Season it up: Sprinkle in onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Stir until evenly distributed.
4. Taste and adjust: Sample the sauce and adjust any of the ingredients to your preference. More relish for extra tang, more sugar for added sweetness, or hot sauce for heat.
5. Chill and serve: Cover the sauce and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. This allows flavors to meld and deepen. Serve with burgers, fries, sandwiches, or as a dip!

Tips For A Pro Wendy’s Wednesday Sauce:

• Use real mayonnaise for the creamiest texture: Avoid low-fat substitutes for the best flavor.
• Sweet pickle relish is key: don’t substitute dill relish, as it changes the taste profile.
• Balance sweetness and tang: Adjust the sugar and vinegar gradually until it tastes just right.
• Let it chill: Refrigeration is crucial for the flavors to blend—don’t skip this step!
• Get creative: Try adding a splash of Worcestershire sauce or a hint of smoked paprika for depth.
• Store properly: Keep any leftover sauce in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.

What To Serve Wendy’s Wednesday Sauce With

• Burgers: This sauce is a game-changer for any hamburger or cheeseburger. Slather it on the bun, layer on your patty, lettuce, tomato, and onion, and watch those flavors pop! It also works great for turkey or veggie burgers.
• Chicken Sandwiches: Spread Wednesday Sauce on your chicken sandwich crispy or grilled. It’ll add richness and tanginess that complement both the juicy chicken and fresh toppings like lettuce and pickles.
• Fries & Potato Wedges: Say goodbye to boring ketchup. Dip crispy French fries, potato wedges, or even sweet potato fries into Wendy’s Wednesday Sauce for a delicious twist.
• Onion Rings & Mozzarella Sticks: The creamy and tangy notes cut through the fried goodness, balancing the savory crunch.
• Wraps and Tortillas: Jazz up wraps stuffed with grilled chicken, veggies, or even leftover meats. A drizzle of Wednesday Sauce ties all the flavors together.
• Salads: Try it as a dressing for simple salads especially those with grilled or fried chicken. Mix a few tablespoons with a dash of milk or buttermilk for a thinner consistency, if desired.
• Breakfast Sandwiches: Add Wednesday Sauce to egg and bacon breakfast sandwiches or English muffin breakfast burgers for a savory morning kick.
• Fish or Seafood: Pair it with fried fish fillets, fish sticks, or shrimp for a creamy dipping option that rivals tartar sauce.
• Roasted or Grilled Vegetables: Use it for dipping grilled zucchini, peppers, or roasted potatoes.
• As a Dipping Sauce: Keep a bowl handy for nuggets, tenders, or even veggie sticks like carrots and celery.

Ingredient Substitutes:

Mayonnaise Substitutes:

• Greek Yogurt: For a lighter, tangier, and slightly healthier base. Use full-fat for creaminess.
• Sour Cream: Offers richness with a sharper tang.
• Vegan Mayo: Perfect for an egg-free or dairy-free option.
• Cashew Cream: Blend soaked cashews with a dash of lemon juice and water for a creamy vegan alternative.

Ketchup Substitutes:

• Tomato Paste & Honey/Sugar: Mix a tablespoon of tomato paste with ½ teaspoon of honey or sugar, and a splash of vinegar for tang.
• BBQ Sauce: This adds a smoky touch, but reduce or skip the sugar in the original recipe.
• Tomato Sauce: Use unsweetened tomato sauce and add sugar and vinegar to taste.

Yellow Mustard Substitutes:

• Dijon Mustard: Brings more heat and a sharp, complex flavor.
• Spicy Brown Mustard: For a more robust, zesty kick.
• Honey Mustard: Adds sweetness; balance by reducing sugar elsewhere.

Sweet Pickle Relish Substitutes:

• Chopped Bread and Butter Pickles: Dice finely to mimic relish texture and flavor.
• Dill Pickle Relish + Sugar: Adds the right texture, but you’ll need to increase the sugar for sweetness.
• Chopped Gherkins or Cornichons: Provide a tangy, crunchy alternative.
• Chopped Pickled Jalapeños: For a spicy note and similar tanginess.

White Vinegar Substitutes:

• Apple Cider Vinegar: Slightly sweeter and milder, with a fruitier finish.
• Rice Vinegar: For a softer, less biting tang.
• Lemon Juice: Adds freshness but less sharpness; you may want to use half the amount.

Sugar Substitutes:

• Honey or Maple Syrup: Offers a natural, deeper sweetness.
• Agave Syrup: Mild and dissolves easily.
• Stevia or Monk Fruit Sweetener: Use in small amounts for a sugar-free version.

Onion Powder Substitutes:

• Minced Shallots or Onions: Sauté in a little oil to mellow the taste, then add to the sauce.
• Chopped Green Onions: For a fresh, mild onion flavor and a hint of crunch.

Garlic Powder Substitutes:

• Fresh Garlic (minced): Use about ¼ teaspoon per teaspoon of powder; let the sauce rest so the Garlic can mellow.
• Roasted Garlic: Adds a sweeter, deeper flavor.

Salt & Pepper Substitutes:

• Seasoning Salt: Adds another layer of flavor, but use less as it may be saltier.
• Garlic Salt or Onion Salt: Use in place of both salt and one of the powdered ingredients.

Hot Sauce or Cayenne Substitutes:

• Chili Powder: For a smoky heat.
• Paprika or Smoked Paprika: For color and mild warmth.
• Sriracha: For a garlicky, spicy kick.

Health Benefits

• Lycopene from Ketchup: Ketchup, a key ingredient in many copycat recipes, is a source of lycopene, an antioxidant linked to reduced risk of certain cancers and heart disease. However, ketchup is also high in sugar and salt.
• Capsaicin from Hot Sauce: If your recipe includes hot sauce or chili powder, you’ll get a dose of capsaicin. This compound has been associated with boosting metabolism, reducing inflammation, and even lowering the risk of certain diseases. However, spicy foods can trigger heartburn in some people.
• Vinegar for Blood Sugar Control: The small amount of vinegar in the recipe may offer minor benefits for blood sugar control, as vinegar has been shown to improve insulin sensitivity.

Final Thoughts

The beauty of making Wednesday Sauce at home lies in its adaptability. You can tweak the ingredients to suit your tastes or dietary needs, swap in healthier alternatives, and experiment with add-ins to make it your signature blend. Alongside its irresistible flavor, homemade versions can offer surprising health benefits, especially if you use wholesome bases and minimize sugar and salt.

More Sauce Recipes:

• Homemade Tia Lupita Hot Sauce
• Copycat Torani Pumpkin Pie Sauce Recipe
• Prego Cheese Sauce Recipe
• Copycat Prego Traditional Italian Sauce Recipe
• Dustin Poirier’s Hot Sauce Recipe

Wendy's Wednesday Sauce

Print

Serves: 7 Prep Time: 5 Minutes Cooking Time: 15 Minutes 15 Minutes

Nutrition facts: 1140 calories 58 grams fat

Rating: 5.0/5

( 1 voted )

Ingredients

• ½ cup mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons ketchup
• 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
• 1 tablespoon sweet pickle relish
• 2 teaspoons white vinegar
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• ¼ teaspoon onion powder
• ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
• Pinch of salt
• Pinch of black pepper
• (Optional: For a spicy kick, add a dash of hot sauce or a pinch of cayenne pepper.)

Instructions

1. Mix the base: In a medium bowl, combine mayonnaise, ketchup, and mustard. Whisk until smooth.
2. Add the tang and sweetness: Stir in sweet pickle relish, white vinegar, and sugar. Mix well to incorporate all flavors.
3. Season it up: Sprinkle in onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Stir until evenly distributed.
4. Taste and adjust: Sample the sauce and adjust any of the ingredients to your preference. More relish for extra tang, more sugar for added sweetness, or hot sauce for heat.
5. Chill and serve: Cover the sauce and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. This allows flavors to meld and deepen. Serve with burgers, fries, sandwiches, or as a dip!