I am the Fox Valley Foodie and this is the culinary journal of my life. Always informative, honest, authentic, self–deprecating, and most importantly, fun!
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:
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!
Burger Condiments
Looking for more great toppings to craft the perfect burger? Try these ideas:
Place all ingredients together in a 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
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!
Loved this recipe?
Be sure to rate it and share you thoughts below!
*Calories listed are a vague estimate and accuracy should not be assumed.
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I have been trying to find a good copycat recipe for this sauce for a long time. I made this sauce last night for a “Big Mac cheeseburger salad” recipe I have. This sauce was fabulous and I will make it again and again. I also am enjoying the new Beyond Beef and will use this sauce when making burgers. Thanks for posting this and figuring it all out for us.
This is MONEY! I tried it after only sitting for 2 hours but it’s as close as you’re going to get making this from home. I did add some course ground black pepper to mine but we all just love it. Thanks for sharing this with all of us!! Props!
Do you know if this is the same sauce they put on the new burger from Spain? We loved it and are trying to make it at home. I mixed mayo, spicy sauce and a little ketchup but it’s missing something. Thanks!
I know that McDonalds in the UK uses different mustard. It’s kind of spicy compared to North American prepared mustard. Maybe that’s why it tastes different?
My hubby is a big Big Mac fan so I made this for him. Great recipe! It has just the right amount of tang and sweetness and topped off our homemade Big Macs perfectly.
This recipe is so good and I mostly followed it except I had to use the rice wine vinegar. And I increased the paprika to get a Pinker color. My husband tasted it and said it tastes the same; we’re going to makes big macs with beyond meat burgers when my daughter visits tomorrow . She will be the judge because that’s her fav food 😊 thank you
Hellman’s is mayo, however, Miracle Whip is not. Miracle Whip contains less oil than required to be called mayo and also has additional seasonings that alter the flavor further.
This was good, and whenever I have gotten a big mac, I say no sauce, or extra piece of bread. used to make my dad so impatient waiting. well, extra bread can go to dogs or ducks now but I don’t go to mcds much. but this recipe I can do, but I like spice so I did add cayenne along with the paprika for burgers tonight. husband knows how to cook a good burger! and I really don’t prefer red meat but I bought and sounded good. probably sriracha on mine, forgot. honestly, I like a1 and yellow mustard on my burgers. and always pickle. and white cheese, just not swiss. guess I am a little picky, eh? lol. 😂
We can’t believe how much this tastes EXACTLY like Big Mac sauce. We have made this a few times now, (using vegan mayo and I keep forgetting to buy white wine vinegar so have used apple cider vinegar). Oh and also using veggie burgers. But wow, the sauce is amazing! It is true, let it sit overnight and it will have just the right colour and flavour. Thank you for sharing this recipe! From an appreciative Canadian family 🙂
I make my own mayo (bit of garlic and dash of sugar) with my own chicken egg yolks, and THEN make this sauce. goes on all my sandwiches. it is num num….
Add about 1/4 tsp of accent/msg to this and it’s perfect. That’s the reason why this doesn’t taste exact. McDonald’s will never tell you that they add MSG to it, that’s just listed as spices in their recipe along with the others.
I found a Big Mac Salad recipe I wanted to try but didn’t have all the ingredients for the dressing so looked for a recipe that fit the ingredients I had. This was it and it’s AWESOME!! My husband loved it!!! A few days later we had a Big Mac and both agreed the salad with this sauce tops it, no question!! Thank you!!
I didn’t realise we were out of onion powder. I made it anyway but I want to add it later. Is that alright? It’s sitting in the fridge and I am going to the store tomorrow. I tasted it and it was really delicious, so similar to the real thing!
I follow the instructions but mine always taste like thousand islands. Like the vinegar flavor is to strong what am I doing wrong. I also added a little ketchup and accent/msg. I don’t know if is the Mayo maybe? I used 1 cup from those key chains measuring cups I filled it with mayo ( the 1 cup obviously ) unused the brand Hellman’s real Mayo, great value yellow mustard….help?
Kurt Holzmuller says
I have been trying to find a good copycat recipe for this sauce for a long time. I made this sauce last night for a “Big Mac cheeseburger salad” recipe I have. This sauce was fabulous and I will make it again and again. I also am enjoying the new Beyond Beef and will use this sauce when making burgers. Thanks for posting this and figuring it all out for us.
Kim says
This sauce is awesome! Also tastes great on tacos.
Jason says
This is MONEY! I tried it after only sitting for 2 hours but it’s as close as you’re going to get making this from home. I did add some course ground black pepper to mine but we all just love it. Thanks for sharing this with all of us!! Props!
Jerrie says
Do you know if this is the same sauce they put on the new burger from Spain? We loved it and are trying to make it at home. I mixed mayo, spicy sauce and a little ketchup but it’s missing something. Thanks!
Fox Valley Foodie says
I don’t, and I have wondered if Big Mac Sauce is different overseas than in America. Perhaps a traveler can chime in if they know the answer.
Kam says
As an American living in Germany, it tastes the same. It’s mostly the meat quality and oils that vary.
Fox Valley Foodie says
Thanks!
Desiree says
I know that McDonalds in the UK uses different mustard. It’s kind of spicy compared to North American prepared mustard. Maybe that’s why it tastes different?
Colin says
Do you know if I can use honey mustard instead
Fox Valley Foodie says
No, that would not work as a substitution.
Marie says
My hubby is a big Big Mac fan so I made this for him. Great recipe! It has just the right amount of tang and sweetness and topped off our homemade Big Macs perfectly.
Chris says
This recipe is so good and I mostly followed it except I had to use the rice wine vinegar. And I increased the paprika to get a Pinker color. My husband tasted it and said it tastes the same; we’re going to makes big macs with beyond meat burgers when my daughter visits tomorrow . She will be the judge because that’s her fav food 😊 thank you
Simba says
You nailed it…Best recipient out there 👌🏾🤘🏾🤘🏾🤘🏾
peter says
can i use bramson pickle relish for sweet pickle relish (it has a more redish colour)
Fox Valley Foodie says
I am not familiar with that type of pickle relish. The flavor matters more than the color, so if it has a sweet flavor you should be good to go.
Kris says
Loved this. Did take the mustard down to 1 tsp, and added a heaping Tbsp of ketchup, fam loved it, and will definitely make again, thank you!
Dee says
By mayo do you mean Hellman’s or Miracle Whip?
Fox Valley Foodie says
Hellman’s is mayo, however, Miracle Whip is not. Miracle Whip contains less oil than required to be called mayo and also has additional seasonings that alter the flavor further.
Cheryl Willaman says
This was good, and whenever I have gotten a big mac, I say no sauce, or extra piece of bread. used to make my dad so impatient waiting. well, extra bread can go to dogs or ducks now but I don’t go to mcds much. but this recipe I can do, but I like spice so I did add cayenne along with the paprika for burgers tonight. husband knows how to cook a good burger! and I really don’t prefer red meat but I bought and sounded good. probably sriracha on mine, forgot. honestly, I like a1 and yellow mustard on my burgers. and always pickle. and white cheese, just not swiss. guess I am a little picky, eh? lol. 😂
Desiree says
We can’t believe how much this tastes EXACTLY like Big Mac sauce. We have made this a few times now, (using vegan mayo and I keep forgetting to buy white wine vinegar so have used apple cider vinegar). Oh and also using veggie burgers. But wow, the sauce is amazing! It is true, let it sit overnight and it will have just the right colour and flavour. Thank you for sharing this recipe! From an appreciative Canadian family 🙂
vicki says
great recipe. just a little less mustard. any idea how many carbs or servings?
kathy says
I make my own mayo (bit of garlic and dash of sugar) with my own chicken egg yolks, and THEN make this sauce. goes on all my sandwiches. it is num num….
michael sadlak says
Add about 1/4 tsp of accent/msg to this and it’s perfect. That’s the reason why this doesn’t taste exact. McDonald’s will never tell you that they add MSG to it, that’s just listed as spices in their recipe along with the others.
Kyle Anne says
I found a Big Mac Salad recipe I wanted to try but didn’t have all the ingredients for the dressing so looked for a recipe that fit the ingredients I had. This was it and it’s AWESOME!! My husband loved it!!! A few days later we had a Big Mac and both agreed the salad with this sauce tops it, no question!! Thank you!!
JayZee says
Finally! You nailed it! Until now, no one has come close… Thank you!
Amy says
I didn’t realise we were out of onion powder. I made it anyway but I want to add it later. Is that alright? It’s sitting in the fridge and I am going to the store tomorrow. I tasted it and it was really delicious, so similar to the real thing!
Fox Valley Foodie says
Yes, that will be just fine.
Susana Ostrowski says
Hello,
I’m excited to try this recipe!
Have you tried experimenting with using just distilled vinegar instead of white wine vinegar? Do you think it would alter the taste a lot?
thank you for your time!
Fox Valley Foodie says
It would have a sharper flavor, but still taste good.
Ricardo says
I follow the instructions but mine always taste like thousand islands. Like the vinegar flavor is to strong what am I doing wrong. I also added a little ketchup and accent/msg. I don’t know if is the Mayo maybe? I used 1 cup from those key chains measuring cups I filled it with mayo ( the 1 cup obviously ) unused the brand Hellman’s real Mayo, great value yellow mustard….help?