Celebrity chef Curtis Stone has spilled the beans on his secret ingredient for crafting the ultimate burger sauce – and it's not what you'd expect. The Australian-born culinary star, known for his Michelin-starred expertise, revealed his game-changing trick during a recent interview.
The Unexpected Twist
While most home cooks reach for the usual suspects – ketchup, mustard, and mayo – Stone swears by adding one surprising element to elevate his burger sauce: fish sauce. Yes, you read that right.
Why Fish Sauce Works
'It's all about that umami depth,' Stone explains. 'A few drops of fish sauce adds incredible savoury complexity without making your burger taste fishy at all.' The chef recommends using just half a teaspoon per cup of sauce to avoid overpowering other flavours.
Stone's Complete Burger Sauce Recipe
Here's how to recreate Curtis Stone's famous burger sauce at home:
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon sweet pickle relish
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon fish sauce (the secret weapon)
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- Pinch of smoked paprika
Pro Tips for Burger Perfection
Stone also shared his top burger-making advice:
- Use 80/20 ground beef for optimal juiciness
- Form patties gently to avoid tough burgers
- Make a slight indentation in the centre to prevent bulging
- Season liberally with salt and pepper just before cooking
- Don't press down on the patties while cooking
Whether you're firing up the grill for a weekend BBQ or just craving a restaurant-quality burger at home, Stone's unexpected sauce ingredient might just become your new secret weapon.
