This copycat Big Mac Sauce recipe is so close to the McDonald's special sauce, you won't be able to taste the difference! Use this homemade sauce to recreate your own homemade Big Macs, or as a topping for your favorite foods.
Big Mac Sauce has wonderfully creamy, tangy, and sweet. This flavor combination cuts through the richness of a fatty cheeseburger, making it a perfect burger topping. The secret sauce is said to taste very similar to Thousand Island dressing, despite not being tomato-based.
What are the Ingredients?
Contrary to many copycat recipes, Big Mac sauce is not the same as Thousand Island dressing nor does it even contain ketchup (muchless French dressing). 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)
https://www.mcdonalds.com/us/en-us/product/big-mac-sauce.html
To replicate the tangy flavor of the real thing, you need the following ingredients for the homemade version:
- Mayo
- Sweet Pickle Relish
- Prepared Yellow Mustard
- White Wine Vinegar
- Paprika
- Garlic Powder
- Onion Powder
How to make it
Make your own Big Mac sauce simply by mixing the ingredients in a small bowl, then store it in the refrigerator overnight in an airtight container to allow the flavors to meld. You can enjoy it immediately if you are impatient, but letting it meld makes a big difference.
How to store it
Store your homemade Big Mac sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator. As a mayo-based sauce, it will spoil at room temperature if left outside of the fridge. It will also develop off-flavors when not sealed properly in a covered container. I do not recommend freezing it. Leftover sauce can be kept for weeks in your refrigerator when using fresh ingredients.
How to Use This Sauce
Serving McDonald's Special Sauce on savory homemade burgers isn't the only way it can be enjoyed. Try these new ideas as well:
- Homemade Big Macs - To make McDonald's Big Mac, lightly 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, and shredded lettuce, then top with a slice of American cheese. Place one thin burger patty on the cheese, then add the middle bun, top with more sauce, lettuce, and add pickles. Finally add the second beef patty, crown with the top bun, and enjoy!
- Chicken sandwich - In India, Mcdonald's sells a Chicken Maharaja Mac, which is essentially a chicken Big Mac. Use this creamy condiment on your own chicken burger, or even chicken patties.
- Burger bowls - Skip the sesame seed bun, this condiment is a great way to whip up some delicious low-carb creations.
- Salads - This makes a delicious salad dressing to enjoy your own Big Mac Salad bowls.
- Cheeseburger Sloppy Joes - These sloppy Joes are great without sauce, but can certainly be enjoyed with it as well!
- Fries - Use this as a dipping sauce for French fries, sweet potato fries, onion rings, and steak fries
- Potato Salad - This is the perfect sauce to add an exciting twist to any potato salad!
Big Mac Sauce
Equipment
- Bowl
Ingredients
- 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
Instructions
- Place all ingredients together in a small bowl and whisk to combine.
- Can be enjoyed immediately, but the flavor is best when allowed to sit in the refrigerator overnight. Store in an air-tight container.
Video
Notes
Nutritional Information
This recipe was originally published April 20, 2018.
J.P.
This is seriously wrong. The real recipe was leaked from an 80s manager manual. You need sweet and dill relish. You also need Mayo and miracle whip. Every now and then it gets reposted. Look for the real thing don't use this awful copy cat recipe.
KC
I worked at McDonalds in 1975 & 1976. Back then, the special sauce came pre-made in 1 gallon containers. We never made it from scratch.
Nikola
Not true!!
Jennifer Rolland
Love this, was so happy when I made it, my Son and I loved it. I was sooo impressed with myself ( you too for posting !! ). I called my husband at work and told him all about it and that we were having these burgers for dinner. After a LONG pause my husband (whom I have been married to for 30 years and together as teenagers for 5 ) said " Don't you know me at all ? I hate big macs, I have never ordered one in the 35 years we have been together !!! AGHHH I really didn't know that. My Son and I had Big Macs and Mr. Party Pooper just had a burger... Have a great year, gonna have to watch my weight with this one. Having them again tonight.
Gordon
I tried it and something was missing. I added a tablespoon of French dressing and now it is much closer to the Big Mac flavor. It is worth noting that other online recipes call for either Thousand Island dressing or French dressing.
Chris
Absolutely perfect. The only thing that wasn't quite right for me was the color. So I added about 2 drops of red food coloring. It was spot on. I let it marinade in the refrigerator for about 6 hours. You can't get more perfect than that. Thank you!!!!!!
AJ
Wow, this sauce is AMAZING...the whole family devoured these burgers because of the sauce. I only refrigerated the sauce for one hour but I can just imagine how much more amazing it could be marinating for longer. We are truly in awe and so incredibly pleased with the results. thank you so much!! God Bless
Marlene
Sooo good!
Jr
How long will it store in a mason jar in refrigerator thanks
Chris
Probably as long as mayo keeps
Rick
This recipe is perfect! I have tried many other copycats and they are not even close. Great job!
Fox Valley Foodie
Thanks so much, I am glad you enjoyed it. I appreciate the feedback.
Brandon
Spot on. Thank you!
Erik
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.
Fabio
"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
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
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
Is yellow mustard 'american mustard'? In the UK we do not have anything called yellow mustard.
Fox Valley Foodie
Yellow mustard is occasionally also referred to as Ballpark mustard and/or American yellow mustard.
Jessica
Use the mustard in the picalilly .. same stuff
marlene
Ha! Your fridge sounds just like mine. You just left out the tarragon mustard - which is pretty great, by the way!
Geoff
Has anyone tried using a greek yogurt combo instead of just mayo? Just looking for a healthier way to enjoy this!
Fox Valley Foodie
Plain Greek yogurt is a good substitution for mayo. It wouldn't be perfect, but it would work well.
Geoff
Thanks for the quick reply, that's on my list for tonight!
Alisha
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 🙂
Diane
What brand of sweet pickle relish do you use?? Plus do you use smoked paprika or regular paprika??
Fox Valley Foodie
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.
M. Oniker
Is the mustard dry mustard powder or prepared mustard condiment?
Fox Valley Foodie
The condiment
janet lanham
I made this it is amazing didnt have onion powder so i used seasoning salt instead & it still turned out amazing
Line
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
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!
Miguel
Would sweet gherkin relish be alright substitute for sweet pickle relish as jars of sweet pickle relish is not avaliable to buy in my country.
Fox Valley Foodie
Yes, that sounds like it may be the same product! 🙂
Kareem
You can always go buy a jar of sweet relish out the condiments aisle in the grocery store.
Jim
This recipe was spot on to McDonals!
Nancy
OMG this tastes EXACTLY like big mac sauce! My kids love you now haha
Lynn
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
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
Is it 1.5 tablespoons of dry yellow mustard or regular mustard from a bottle
Fox Valley Foodie
Mustard from the bottle, there is a link below the recipe that shows exactly what is being referenced if you are unsure.
lisa zietz
can i use another type of vinegar if i dont have white wine vinegar
Fox Valley Foodie
The flavor will be off if you substitute another type of vinegar, but in a pinch I would use rice wine vinegar or a lesser amount(half?) of white vinegar.
Ur mom
In a bottle that’s what we did
Brendan
They missed the paprika to redden it. And I thought it was supposed to be Dijon.
jessie adams
I just eyeblld it andkept tasting
DRMiller
I thought it was too strong on the mustard as well. So I tried it with less and it really rated off. I found some dill mustard, and now my son thinks I’m a super hero! Lol! Thanks for the recipe Valley Foodie!
Nikola
This is the best copy of the bigmac sauce ever! Exactly the same taste, there's no difference between this and original. Most important thing is to let the sauce in refrigerator overnight for best results!