If you’re a southern Californian, you probably know all about Board and Brew sauce. But how can you make it at home? Is it even possible? Turns out, it is! And the best part is you only need a few key ingredients to whip it up, most of which we are willing to bet you already have stashed in your kitchen. As a plus, if you aren’t from southern California but still want something saucy and delicious to top your next sandwich, keep reading… We’re willing to bet you’ll love it, too!
Table of Contents
- What Is Board and Brew?
- The Board and Brew Sauce
- Board and Brew Sauce Copycat?
- Board and Brew Sauce Storage
- Board and Brew Sauce Calories
- Board and Brew Sauce A Secret? Not Anymore…
- FAQs
What Is Board and Brew?
Board and Brew is an American food chain restaurant known for serving up delicious eats in southern California. The restaurant features fresh ingredients at low prices, something that has made this restaurant chain very popular over the years.
They are best known for their sought-after sandwiches. And also, for their “Secret Sauce” referred to as “Board and Brew Sauce”.
The restaurant was first started back in the late ‘70s and business has been booming ever since. Coincidence? Board and Brew thinks not.
By serving up yummy sandwiches and offering a cup or two of their Secret Sauce on the side, Board and Brew has quickly won the hearts of many. Their popularity shows no signs of slowing down any time soon.
The Board and Brew Sauce
The Board and Brew sauce, or “Secret Sauce”, as it has now been coined, has been around since the late 1970s. This deliciously tangy sauce was first known as their “Sweet and Sour” sauce, as the original recipe, created by Tom Power’s grandmother, had more of a vinegary aftertaste than it does now.
At the time, the sauce topped Board and Brew’s Turkey Deluxe sandwich and was not used on any other foods sold by the establishment. It wasn’t until the sauce began to become a crowd-favorite amongst customers that the company started to add the sauce to more sandwiches and food items. It eventually became as popular as it is today.
Now, Board and Brew serves up its delicious “secret” sauce to hungry customers for only $5 a bottle. They also offer the sauce free with any purchase for dipping galore.
But the sauce today isn’t what it was years ago. As other stores opened, and Board and Brew began to expand, the company made a series of changes to the sauce that allowed it to become what it is today.
Though Board and Brew’s sauce isn’t as vinegary as it was back then, the Board and Brew team came together to create a sauce so tasty that it is now one of the most craved and sought-after sauces in southern California… just ask one of the locals!
Board and Brew Sauce Copycat?
Just like Jimmy Johns Kickin Ranch Recipe or HelloFresh Tex Mex Paste Recipe, a Board and Brew sauce copycat probably seems too good to be true. But despite the Board and Brew crew being super secretive about what goes in their popular sauce recipe, we actually believe we’ve cracked the code!
Board and Brew Sauce Recipe
Ready to learn how to make this incredibly popular sauce? We bet you are! Using only a few basic ingredients, you can achieve a sauce with a very similar taste to Board and Brew Secret Sauce that you can add to virtually anything.
Some like to add the sauce to their eggs, hot dogs, burgers, pizza, sandwiches, and even macaroni salad. The choice is yours!
Let’s get started with the recipe.
Board and Brew Sauce Ingredients
- 3 tbsp sweet relish
- 1 ¼ cup pickle chips finely diced
- 1 tbsp finely minced onion
- 3 tbsp Tomato paste
- ¾ cup fresh mayonnaise
- 1 tbsp garlic powder
- ½ tbsp onion powder
- 1 tbsp chili powder
- 1 ½ tbsp Dijon mustard
- 2 tsp lemon juice
- 2 tsp pickle juice (use the juice from your pickle chips)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Board and Brew Sauce Directions
How to Make Board and Brew Sauce
Dice
Finely dice your onions and pickle chips.
Combine
In a small bowl, add the mayonnaise, onion, pickles, relish, tomato paste, and dijon mustard.
Add flavor
Next, add your garlic powder, chili powder, salt, black pepper, and onion powder to the mix.
Combine juices
Combine your lemon juice with the pickle juice derived from your pickle chips jar, and add this to your bowl.
Mix and season
Mix all ingredients until well combined. Season with salt and pepper.
Board and Brew Sauce Storage
To store your fresh homemade Board and Brew sauce, keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. Separation is normal; simply mix the sauce to reincorporate. After two weeks, the taste of the sauce may be altered a bit. Throw out any sauce that shows signs of mold, consistency change, change in color, smell, or any other sign of spoilage.
Board and Brew Sauce Calories
The Board and Brew copycat sauce above contains about 61 calories. It also includes about 11 grams of fat, 1 gram of sugar, and about 304 mg of salt.
Bear in mind that these statistics only apply to our listed recipe. At the moment Board and Brew does not have nutritional information for their sauce. However, it appears that this is something they are working on providing customers in the future!
Board and Brew Sauce A Secret? Not Anymore…
Now that you know how to whip up delicious Board and Brew’s Secret Sauce sauce on your own, you can use it whatever ways your heart desires! Pizza, burgers, fries, subs, you name it! All are fair game when slathering on this delicious goodness and we’re willing to bet you’re happy you went through the effort of making it.
Crafted with mayo, spices, onion, pickle, and flavorings, this simple but satisfying sauce can be made from pantry staples and will have you, and anyone you share it with, begging for more.
We hope this satisfies your craving for Board and Brew…See you next time!
Other “copycat” recipes to try:
- Yard House Garlic Noodles Recipe
- Bourbon Street Chicken and Shrimp
- How to Make Red Lobster’s Butter Sauce
- Does Mayo Need to Be Refrigerated
FAQs
What is the board and brew sauce called?
Once upon a time, Board and Brew sauce was called ”Sweet & Sour”. Today it is simply called the “Board and Brew” sauce or “Secret Sauce” but is also affectionately referred to as the “tears of a unicorn” by enthusiastic fans.
Does Board and Brew sauce need to be refrigerated?
Yes, you should refrigerate any Board and Brew bottled sauce you purchase after opening. If you try our homemade recipe, you’ll also want to refrigerate it, as the ingredients in the sauce are perishable..
Is Board and Brew secret sauce vegan?
Yes! Board and Brew sauce is both vegan and gluten-free which means it can be used for a guilt-free chow down. Hooray!
Is Board and Brew healthy?
It can be! But like anywhere else, it’ll depend on what you order. Try the Chicken Club, Baja Beef, or Baja Wrap for lighter options over other more calorie-dense choices.
Are there other Board and Brew locations other than California?
As of right now, it appears that Board and Brew is stationed only in California, but it does host one lucky spot in Arizona as well! Californian locations include Orange County, San Diego County, and Inland Empire. But don’t let that stop you from trying our Board and Brew sauce recipe. You can get a similar flavor to what Board and Brew offers without ever having to leave your home!
What does Board and Brew serve?
Board and Brew is known mainly for their large and filling sandwiches, however, you can also order salads from the Brew. All ingredients are high-quality and fresh, which is part of the reason Board and Brew stands out from other sandwich shop competitors. The other component to their ongoing popularity? Their sauce of course! Now you know…
Board and Brew Sauce Recipe
Using only a few basic ingredients, you can achieve a sauce with a very similar taste to Board and Brew Secret Sauce that you can add to virtually anything.
Type: sauce
Cuisine: American
Recipe Ingredients:
- 3 tbsp sweet relish
- 1 ¼ cup pickle chips, finely diced
- 1 tbsp finely minced onion
- 3 tbsp tomato paste
- ¾ cup fresh mayonnaise
- 1 tbsp garlic powder
- ½ tbsp onion powder
- 1 tbsp chili powder
- 1 ½ tbsp dijon mustard
- 2 tsp lemon juice
- 2 tsp pickle juice (use the juice from your pickle chips)
- Salt and black Pepper, to taste
