special sauce
Burger's mystery topping
Special sauce is a condiment—typically a creamy, tangy blend used on burgers and sandwiches.
McDonald's Big Mac sauce popularized the term.
Figuratively, special sauce is whatever secret ingredient or unique element makes something work: Their special sauce is the algorithm that matches buyers with sellers.
The phrase often implies proprietary knowledge or competitive advantage.
Tomato-based condiment
- mayonnaiseEmulsified egg-oil spread
- mustardTangy seed-paste condiment
- relishKeen pleasurable appreciation
- thousand islandCreamy pink salad dressing
aioli · sriracha mayo · chipotle mayo · garlic aioli · remoulade
Sharp and lively-tasting
smoky · garlicky · peppery · pickled · vinegary · umami · spicy · herbal
Boundary or sharpness
- advantageFavorable position or circumstance
- differentiatorWhat makes one distinct
- magicSupernatural or illusory power
- x-factorNameless quality conferring appeal
ingredient · twist · touch · flair · mojo · spark · chemistry · genius
Cooking preparation instructions
- ingredientElement in a mixture
- proprietaryLegally owned, restricted use
- trade secretHidden business knowledge
- guardedWary and restrained
undisclosed · hidden · formula · blend · mystery · exclusive · signature · original
ketchup
Tomato-based condiment
- mayonnaiseEmulsified egg-oil spread
- mustardTangy seed-paste condiment
- relishKeen pleasurable appreciation
thousand island · aioli · sriracha mayo · chipotle mayo · garlic aioli · remoulade
tangy
Sharp and lively-tasting
sweet · smoky · garlicky · peppery · pickled · vinegary · umami · spicy · herbal · pungent
edge
Boundary or sharpness
- advantageFavorable position or circumstance
- differentiatorWhat makes one distinct
- magicSupernatural or illusory power
x-factor · ingredient · twist · touch · flair · mojo · spark · chemistry · genius · brilliance
recipe
Cooking preparation instructions
- ingredientElement in a mixture
- proprietaryLegally owned, restricted use
- trade secretHidden business knowledge
guarded · undisclosed · hidden · formula · blend · mystery · exclusive · signature · original · legendary
- star qualitiescharisma, presence, star power, star quality, magnetism
- Burgershamburger, cheeseburger, double burger, bacon burger, veggie burger
- fast foodMcDonald's, Burger King, Wendy's, Taco Bell, KFC
special saucecommodity
Fungible traded good
nothing special · plain vanilla · ordinary · run-of-the-mill · bog standard
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