White Castle is known for its small, square hamburgers called sliders. The fast food chain offers a variety of sauces that customers can add to their food, including ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, and White Castle’s signature “everything sauce.” But what exactly is everything sauce?
Everything sauce is a creamy, tangy condiment that contains a blend of flavors. It was created by White Castle to allow customers to add just one sauce to get a variety of tastes on their slider. The sauce combines the flavors of onions, pickles, ketchup, mayo, and a secret blend of spices.
History of White Castle Everything Sauce
White Castle was founded in 1921 in Wichita, Kansas. The founders aimed to provide a clean, efficient fast food option at an affordable price. The signature small square burgers were an innovative idea for the time.
In the 1980s, White Castle began experimenting with a special sauce that contained a mixture of flavors. The goal was to create a flavorful sauce that customers could add to burgers instead of needing several separate condiments.
After going through multiple iterations, White Castle launched its “everything sauce” in 1987. The sauce quickly became popular on sliders and other menu items. Everything sauce gave customers the flavors of onions, pickles, ketchup and mayo all combined into one convenient sauce.
Creation of the Everything Sauce Recipe
White Castle has not publicly revealed the exact recipe and formula for its everything sauce. The original idea was to take the most popular condiments that customers added to their food and combine them into one sauce.
Product developers started with a mayonnaise base and incorporated pickle juice, ketchup, onions and a blend of spices. Over time, the proportions and seasoning was tweaked to create the signature zesty flavor White Castle customers have come to love.
The everything sauce recipe remains a well-guarded secret today. Only a few select employees at White Castle know the exact amounts and ingredients that go into this popular special sauce.
Ingredients in Everything Sauce
While the full everything sauce recipe is kept confidential, White Castle has shared some of the main ingredients contained in the condiment:
- Mayonnaise – Mayonnaise is the base that gives everything sauce its creamy, smooth texture.
- Pickle juice – Adds a tangy, briny flavor.
- Onions – Onion powder provides a kick of onion flavor.
- Tomato ketchup – Ketchup provides sweetness and a tomato taste.
- Vinegar – Helps balance out the creaminess of the mayo.
- Paprika – A dash of paprika contributes a savory, slightly spicy note.
- Garlic and onion powders – More onion and garlic flavors.
- Secret blend of spices – The mystery mixture of herbs and spices gives everything sauce its signature flavor.
The combination of mayonnaise, pickle juice, ketchup and spices makes everything sauce thick, creamy, and tangy. The flavor profile hits all the right notes – sweet, salty, savory and sour.
Nutrition Information
Everything sauce is high in calories and fat due to its mayonnaise base. A single serving of 1.5 oz (2 tablespoons) provides:
| Calories | 180 |
|---|---|
| Total Fat | 20g |
| Sodium | 420mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 2g |
The high sodium and saturated fat levels are due to the mayonnaise, ketchup and seasoning used to create this sauce. Everything sauce packs a flavor punch, but is best consumed in moderation.
Uses for White Castle Everything Sauce
Everything sauce was specifically created by White Castle to complement their sliders. The tangy, creamy sauce goes well with beef patties and chars-grilled tastes. But it can also be used to add flavor in other ways:
On French Fries
Drizzle or dip everything sauce on hot French fries for a taste sensation. The sauce adds creaminess and zing to balance the salty, starchy fries.
As a Sandwich Spread
Use everything sauce as a spread on sandwiches in place of traditional condiments like mustard or mayo. Try it on burgers, grilled cheese, deli meat sandwiches and more.
As a Dip
Everything sauce thick texture makes it perfect for dipping various foods. Use it for chicken nuggets, mozzarella sticks, potato wedges and other finger foods.
In Cooking and Marinades
Add a spoonful of everything sauce to boost flavor in recipes like meatloaf, salad dressings or burger patties. You can also use it combined with oil and herbs as a marinade sauce.
As a Topping
Drizzle everything sauce over cooked foods to add a tangy kick. Everything sauce works great on eggs, pizza, nachos, baked potatoes and veggies.
Availability of White Castle Everything Sauce
Everything sauce can be found at White Castle restaurant locations across the country. Customers can request everything sauce cups to add to their meal in-restaurant.
White Castle also sells bottles of everything sauce in grocery stores so people can enjoy the flavor at home. It is often stocked in the condiment aisle at stores in regions where White Castle restaurants operate.
The sauce is not available for nationwide shipping direct from White Castle at this time. The product is regional based on White Castle’s restaurant locations covering various states mostly across the Midwest, Mid-Atlantic and Northeast.
Grocery Stores Where Everything Sauce is Sold
Some grocery store chains where you can find bottles White Castle everything sauce include:
- Kroger
- Walmart
- Meijer
- Target
- Food Lion
- Safeway
- Cost Plus World Market
- Albertsons
Check your local listings to see if everything sauce is carried at chains in your area. Selection varies by location. Everything sauce bottles are usually in 12-14 oz sizes retailing for $3 to $4.
Copycat Recipe for Clone of Everything Sauce
White Castle’s actual everything sauce recipe is a well-protected company secret. But copycat recipes have been created to clone the flavor at home. Here is one popular copycat everything sauce recipe to try:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1⁄4 cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoons sweet pickle relish
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- 2 teaspoons white vinegar
- 1 teaspoon yellow mustard
- 1⁄2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1⁄2 teaspoon paprika
- 1⁄4 teaspoon salt
- Dash of pepper
Instructions:
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together all ingredients until well blended.
- Taste and adjust seasonings if desired.
- Transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before using to allow flavors to meld.
- Store leftover sauce in the refrigerator for up to 10 days.
This copycat version approximates the tangy, creamy flavor of White Castle’s everything sauce. Feel free to tweak ingredients to your taste.
Conclusion
White Castle’s everything sauce has become a popular signature item, adding flavor to the chain’s iconic sliders and sides. This special sauce combines mayonnaise, pickle juice, ketchup, onion, and a secret blend of spices for a creamy, zesty condiment. Customers love its versatility as a sauce, spread and dip.
While the actual recipe remains a secret, everything sauce ingredients include mayo, vinegar, tomato ketchup, onion, garlic, paprika and other spices. The sauce can be purchased in restaurants or found bottled at select grocery stores. With its one-of-a-kind flavor, everything sauce has earned its reputation as a White Castle favorite enjoyed by customers for over 30 years.