This Big Mac Sauce copycat recipe is so close to the McDonald’s special sauce, you won’t be able to taste the difference!
A while back I tried being humble for a day, and I can proudly say, I was the greatest humble person ever. Now that I got that horrible experience out of the way, I need to brag that I developed, quite possibly, the best Big Mac Sauce recipe on the web. All with one hand tied behind my back just to make it fair.
Ok, truth be told, I cheated a little bit. I actually watched a video of one of McDonald’s executive chefs making the Big Mac Sauce and did my best to replicate the ingredient ratios. It took a bit of trial and error, so I am still taking credit for it!
Is Big Mac Sauce the Same as Thousand Island Dressing?
I spent most of my life believing McDonald’s Special Sauce was simply Thousand Island dressing. Big Mac Sauce is not Thousand Island dressing. Thousand Island dressing requires tomatoes, which isn’t actually an ingredient in authentic Big Mac Sauce.
For this same reason, I also make my Big Mac Sauce without French dressing. You will find 95% of the Big Mac Sauce recipes on the web call for French dressing. Don’t be fooled. Though, I will admit the flavor is in the right ballpark, but, *spoiler alert*, it still tastes like French dressing.
What is in Big Mac Sauce?
How do I know there are no tomatoes in McDonald’s Special Sauce? Because, I looked up the ingredient list. This is what is in McDonald’s Big Mac Sauce:
Soybean Oil, Pickle Relish (Diced Pickles, High Fructose Corn Syrup, Sugar, Vinegar, Corn Syrup, Salt, Calcium Chloride, Xanthan Gum, Potassium Sorbate (Preservative), Spice Extractives, Polysorbate 80), Distilled Vinegar, Water, Egg Yolks, High Fructose Corn Syrup, Onion Powder, Mustard Seed, Salt, Spices, Propylene Glycol Alginate, Sodium Benzoate (Preservative), Mustard Bran, Sugar, Garlic Powder, Vegetable Protein (Hydrolyzed Corn, Soy and Wheat), Caramel Colour, Extractives of Paprika, Soy Lecithin, Turmeric (Colour), Calcium Disodium EDTA (Protect Flavour)
How to Make Big Mac Sauce
I’m going to go out on a limb and assume you don’t have a pantry full of preservatives and chemical binders, so let me break this down into ingredients you understand. Based on the above ingredient list, you will need sweet pickle relish, mayo, vinegar, mustard, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika. That sounds a lot more reasonable, doesn’t it?
How to Make a Big Mac
Once you craft your own Big Mac Sauce, you are well on your way to earning your children’s undying love and affection by making them homemade Big Macs! You will want to brush up on my fast food burger recipe to really hit these out of the park. Though I have been known to slather this sauce on larger homemade burger patties too!
To make a Big Mac, light toast a sesame seed bun, and grab an extra bottom bun to use as the middle piece. Spread the special sauce on the bottom bun, sprinkle with diced onion, shredded lettuce, and top with a slice of American cheese. Place one burger patty on the cheese, then add the middle bun, top with more sauce, lettuce, and add pickles. Finally add the second burger patty, top with the crown of the bun and enjoy!
This Big Mac Sauce copycat recipe is so close to the McDonald's special sauce, you won't be able to taste the difference!
- 1 cup Mayo
- ¼ cup Sweet Pickle Relish
- 1 ½ tablespoons Prepared Yellow Mustard
- 1 teaspoon White Wine Vinegar
- ½ teaspoon Paprika
- ¼ teaspoon Garlic Powder
- ¼ teaspoon Onion Powder
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Place all ingredients together in a bowl and whisk to combine.
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Can be enjoyed immediately, but the flavor is best when allowed to sit in the refrigerator overnight. Store in an air-tight container.
If Yellow Mustard isn't common in your country, click here to see what is being referenced. (affiliate link)
IF YOU LIKED THIS RECIPE you need to check out my McDonald's Egg McMuffin copycat recipe too!
If you enjoyed my Big Mac Sauce recipe then you should probably like me on Facebook and follow me on Pinterest too. That’s what I would do at least, because if you don’t get to know me but you still use my recipe it is kind of like taking candy from a stranger, and your mom taught you not to do that. Don’t disobey your mom, subscribe to Fox Valley Foodie today.
Lynn says
Tried this. Too “mustardy “ and really yellow in color. Wondering if it’s a typo. Maybe should be a teaspoon and a half? That’s what I’m going to try next time. It’s not too bad tho.
Fox Valley Foodie says
I double checked the recipe and did a side by side comparison with Big Mac Sauce from McDonalds and 1 1/2 tablespoons is correct. Initially I tried just 1 tablespoon of mustard and the real sauce had a noticeably stronger mustard flavor. I encourage you to get some sauce from your local McDonalds and let me know what you think after tasting them side by side.
Jim says
Is it 1.5 tablespoons of dry yellow mustard or regular mustard from a bottle
Fox Valley Foodie says
Mustard from the bottle, there is a link below the recipe that shows exactly what is being referenced if you are unsure.
Nancy says
OMG this tastes EXACTLY like big mac sauce! My kids love you now haha
Jim says
This recipe was spot on to McDonals!
Line says
I really want to try this I have searched for a recipe for sweet pickle relish but there is a lot of different ones. Do I need cinnamon, mustard seeds and special sugar to make the relish? I have some pickled cucumbers so I don’t need to start from scratch. Do you have a simple recipe?
Fox Valley Foodie says
I hope you enjoy it. Unfortunately, I have not created a sweet pickle relish recipe yet, but it sounds like a really good idea though!
Kareem says
You can always go buy a jar of sweet relish out the condiments aisle in the grocery store.
janet lanham says
I made this it is amazing didnt have onion powder so i used seasoning salt instead & it still turned out amazing
M. Oniker says
Is the mustard dry mustard powder or prepared mustard condiment?
Fox Valley Foodie says
The condiment
Diane says
What brand of sweet pickle relish do you use?? Plus do you use smoked paprika or regular paprika??
Fox Valley Foodie says
I don’t buy any specific brand of sweet pickle relish. Purchase the seasoning simply labeled as “Paprika” in the store, paprika is regular paprika. Recipes will typically specify “smoked paprika” if it is needed.
Alisha says
I have been eating big mac’s for almost 10 years now I never ordered anything else from McDonald’s I am going to try this . It will be my holly grail if it turned out the same! This has a high expectation to meet. Will let you know how I like it 🙂
Geoff says
Has anyone tried using a greek yogurt combo instead of just mayo? Just looking for a healthier way to enjoy this!
Fox Valley Foodie says
Plain Greek yogurt is a good substitution for mayo. It wouldn’t be perfect, but it would work well.
Geoff says
Thanks for the quick reply, that’s on my list for tonight!
Fabio says
“Yellow mustard”. I feel so sorry you live in such a sad place that all mustards taste alike and you need not be more specific about the kind of mustard to get this right 😀
Sarina says
There is a thing such as STANDARD YELLOW MUSTARD…so no feeling sorry for us wherever you are…we have TONS of mustards to choose from. French’, Heinze or Plochman’s is standard in most states…
Camalita Lee Daniels says
I feel sorry you live in such a sad place you talk sh*t about things you know nothing about. Now, I’m going to my fridge, where I have yellow mustard, brown mustard, spicy brown mustard, Chinese hot mustard, Dijon mustard, champagne mustard, horseradish mustard, honey mustard, and whole grain mustard. I bought my condiments from standard old Safeway, not even a fancy import shop where they would have an even bigger selection.
Charlie says
Is yellow mustard ‘american mustard’? In the UK we do not have anything called yellow mustard.
Fox Valley Foodie says
Yellow mustard is occasionally also referred to as Ballpark mustard and/or American yellow mustard.
Erik says
You say its 12 servings, but what is the size per serving? I need to carb count so I was just wondering. I plan on making a Big Mac salad and stumbled across your recipe.
Brandon says
Spot on. Thank you!