If you’ve ever enjoyed a sandwich from Mr. Submarine (or Mr. Sub as it’s now known), you know the secret is in the sauce. This iconic Canadian sub shop opened in Toronto in 1968 and has grown to over 200 locations. What makes their sandwiches stand out is their distinctive, tangy sauce, which perfectly complements the meats, cheeses, and vegetables. Thanks to this simple copycat recipe, you can now recreate that signature flavor at home in just 5 minutes with only five ingredients!
Table of Contents
History of Mr. Submarine
Mr. Sub, or Mr. Submarine as it was initially called, opened its doors back in 1968 in Toronto, Canada. It started small but has grown to over 200 shops.
Mr. Sub is known for its submarine sandwich featured on a long baguette-type roll. The sandwich is filled with meat, cheese, and veggies. The sub sauce is what put this sandwich on the map.
What Makes Mr. Sub Secret Sauce so Sood
The magic of this sub sauce lies in one special ingredient: pepperoncini pepper juice. This mild yet flavorful liquid gives the sauce its signature tangy kick, elevating any sandwich from ordinary to extraordinary. Combined with a careful balance of oils and seasonings, this sauce creates that authentic sub shop flavor without any special equipment or cooking skills required. Just shake the ingredients together, and you’ll have the perfect sauce for sandwiches, salads, and more.
Ingredients
Here’s what you will need to make this copycat sub dressing recipe:
- Soybean oil – Creates the smooth base for the sauce and carries the flavors
- Olive oil – Adds richness and a subtle fruity flavor
- Hot pepper juice – Provides the signature tangy kick (from jarred pepperoncini)
- Oregano – Contributes classic Italian herb flavor
- Garlic – Adds savory depth and aromatic complexity
What is a Pepperoncini Pepper, and How Hot is It?
Pepperoncini peppers are not that hot at all. The pepper originates from Italy and is known by many different names. It resembles a banana pepper and can be found in most grocery stores.
If you were to compare it to a jalapeno pepper on the pepper scale, a pepperoncini pepper is 5-80 times milder. The juice that comes from this pepper is perfect for this sub sauce.
How to Make Sub Sauce
There are only two simple steps to make this copycat recipe:
- Combine all the ingredients in a shaker or mason jar.
- Close the lid and shake it vigorously until the sauce is well combined.
Recipe Tips
- If you don’t have soybean oil, you can substitute canola oil or saffron oil for it.
- A shaker is the best way to combine a salad dressing or sauce. But if you don’t have one, you can use a mason jar or anything else with a tight lid. You can also whisk it in a bowl.
Copycat Mr. Submarine Secret Sauce
Ingredients
- 4 cups soybean oil
- 1 cup olive oil
- 1 1/2 cup juice from a jar of hot peppers (such as pepperoncini)
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1 teaspoon garlic
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a shaker and shake well.
Notes
- If you don’t have soybean oil, you can substitute canola oil or saffron oil for it.
- A shaker is the best way to combine a salad dressing or sauce. But if you don’t have one, you can use a mason jar or anything else with a tight lid.
- Use Mr. Sub Secret Sauce on your favorite sandwich or for a salad.
- Keep refrigerated in an air-tight container when not using.
Nutrition
Serving Suggestions
- Marinade: Use to marinate chicken or vegetables before grilling
- Classic Sub: Drizzle over sliced meats, cheeses, and vegetables on a submarine roll
- Salad Dressing: Use as a zesty vinaigrette for green salads
- Pasta Salad: Toss with cooked pasta and vegetables for a quick side dish
- Sandwich Spread: Brush on bread before adding other ingredients
What Side Dishes Can You Serve with a Sub Sandwich?
At Mr. Sub, there are plenty of sides you can pair with the sandwiches, such as baked cookies or brownies, pickle spears, or chips.
However, when you make it at home, you can always serve your sub with something else, like Dill Potato Salad or a fresh Cucumber Onion Salad. Lastly, you can’t go wrong serving the subs with your favorite soup!
Storage and Shelf Life
- Separation: Natural separation may occur; simply shake before using
- Room Temperature: Store up to 1 week in a cool, dark place
- Refrigerator: Keeps for up to 2 weeks in an airtight container
- Note: Oil may solidify when refrigerated; allow to sit at room temperature for 30-60 minutes before using
Other Popular Sauce Recipes
Mr. Sub does not have a monopoly on unforgettable sauces; here are a few copycat sauces you must try!
Popular Fast Food Sandwiches
- Arby’s Buffalo Chicken Sandwich
- Copycat Chick-fil-A Sandwich
- Chicken Fried Steak Burger
- Crispy BBQ Chicken Sandwich
- Frisco Sandwich
- Grilled Chicken Salad Sandwich
- Subway Chicken Salad
- Big Mac
- Whopper
- How to Make White Castle Hamburgers
Be sure to check out my easy sauce recipes and the best fast food copycat recipes.
What’s your favorite sandwich sauce? Let me know in the comments below. And don’t forget to follow me on Facebook or Instagram or subscribe to my mailing list for the latest CopyKat recipes!
I haven’t had Mr Sub in a while but I was inspired by this recipe to make a slacker’s version on a small scale using Zesty Italian dressing and pepperoncini brine (2:1). It tasted pretty good.
awesome!!
Never Heard Of Mr Submarine. Mr Tony’s Was What I Remember And Was Was Very Good Sub I Miss That Place. Just Saying.
You’re obviously not from Canada if you’ve never heard of Mr. Sub.
Didn’t have pickled pepperoncini’s on hand so I used pickled jalapeno juice and I also used vegetable oil instead of soya bean. Turned out as a very decent substitute.
This sub sauce rocked back in the day … long before Subway and the ‘also rans’ got in to the market.
The Fat Albert’s chain in Ontario, Canada also had a very similar sauce that was very close to that of the Mr. Sub Sauce … I can taste it, just thinking about it.
do you have the ingredients for Pepi’s pizza,,,, munchie sub sauce?
I am sorry I do not.
Thanks for the recipe 😁
How long will it last in the refrigerator?
I would use this for a couple weeks after I made it.
Gotta save this recipe for later, thank you so much for the recipe!
The trick I said to let the spices infuse with the oil overnight or at least 4hrs in the fridge! Thx for the recipe 🙂
Can anyone help me find out how to make sobiks subs famous submarine sauce? I would love a copycat recipe.
i used about a tbsp of olive oil, tbsp pickled pepper juice, some dried, crushed oregano, and barely 1/4 tsp garlic powder and it was amazing 🙂
I don’t know what Soya Oil is either.
My family just used Vegetable Oil and it turned out fantastic.
Great recipe, thanks Kat!
It was soy bean oil.
What is Soya sauce, where can this be found in your local supermarket
Ms Mari
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soybean_oil
This is what you’re looking for, soya Sauce is a different condiment.