secret sauce

American  

[see-krit saws] / ˈsi krɪt ˈsɔs /

noun

1. a secret element, strategy, procedure, etc., that accounts for or increases the chances of success.

   The app's secret sauce is its simple interface.

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Etymology

Origin of secret sauce

From a so-called sauce for hamburgers whose ingredients are a closely held secret

Example Sentences

In the 2000s, derivatives created from subprime mortgages were accorded top credit ratings; now, the so-called illiquidity premium on portfolios of loans to small and midsize private companies is considered their secret sauce.

From Barron's

"The major differentiator was starting with a clean sheet of paper. That was the secret sauce," explains Mr Hogan.

From BBC

“We recognized on day one that command-and-control was going to be our secret sauce,” Guetlein said at a recent industry conference.

From The Wall Street Journal

Whereas big events can be "hidden" in a huge city like London, she says, the "fun secret sauce" that Manchester brings - including art trails and pop star tram announcements - "really came out".

From BBC

Your secret sauce involved a plate full of fish.

From MarketWatch