Big Mac Sauce

Creamy and decadent, this homemade Big Mac sauce recreates one of McDonald’s signature condiments. Made with simple ingredients, I love how it tastes like the original.

Love sauces and spreads? Try my spicy mayo, eel sauce, and garlic yogurt sauce.

Everyone knows the best part of the McDonald’s Big Mac burger is the creamy and dreamy sauce. It’s so good, I would always order a side of it whenever I was there! Luckily, my copycat recipe is pretty much foolproof, and you won’t know the difference.

Table of Contents

1. What is Big Mac sauce?
2. Ingredients needed
3. How to make Big Mac sauce
4. How to use Big Mac sauce
5. Storage instructions
6. More delicious sauces you’ll enjoy
7. Big Mac Sauce (Recipe Card)

What is Big Mac sauce?

Also known as the ‘Secret Sauce,’ McDonald’s Big Mac sauce consists of mayonnaise, sweet pickle relish, and Thousand Island dressing. This sauce is the signature sweet and tangy element in the iconic Big Mac Burgers.

It’s actually one of the easiest sauces to make at home! Here are some reasons why I LOVE this recipe:

• It’s ready in seconds. Just add everything to a bowl, mix it together, and enjoy. 
• It tastes like McDonald’s. Even die-hard fans can’t tell the difference between this homemade version and the classic from the Golden Arches! 
• Easy to customize. If you love some spice or want the sauce a little sweeter, you can adjust it to suit your taste buds. 
• Better ingredients. Let’s face it: McDonald’s isn’t known for using the best ingredients in its food, and the sauce is no exception. In our homemade version, we use just FIVE ingredients.

Ingredients needed

• Mayonnaise. Provides a creamy base. I recommend using a full-fat yolk-based mayo, which has the best flavor and thicker texture.
• Pickle relish. A key ingredient in the burger sauce. It adds the perfect sweetness to the and creates a nice texture. If you don’t like sweet pickle relish, use dill pickle relish or gherkin relish instead. 
• Vinegar. Adding a small amount of vinegar to the sauce will brighten up all flavors and make them come together nicely. I prefer using white vinegar for a more delicate flavor. 
• Mustard. You’ve got the sweet, you’ve got the creaminess, and now you need the tartness. Stick with mild or yellow mustard.
• Smoked paprika. A little smokiness is what you need to bring all the tart, tangy, sweet, and savory flavors together. 
• Optional spices. While not essential, you can add some garlic powder and onion powder to amp up the savory notes. You can also add some turmeric for the extra color.

How to make Big Mac sauce

I’ve included step-by-step photos below to make this recipe easy to follow at home. For the full printable recipe instructions and ingredient quantities, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Step 1- Combine: Add all ingredients into a bowl and whisk until fully combined. 

Step 2- Adjust: Taste the sauce. Add more mustard if it’s too sweet or more relish if it’s too tangy.

Step 3- Serve: Slather the sauce over your burgers (in this order- bottom bun, beef patties, slice of American cheese, sauce, iceberg lettuce, pickles, top bun), or store away to enjoy later.

How to use Big Mac sauce

Serving McDonald’s special sauce on burgers alone isn’t the only way to use this. Here are some ideas:

• In burgers: Perhaps the most obvious way, but slather it on air fryer hamburgers, wagyu burgers (a personal favorite), or veggie burgers too.
• As a dipping sauce: Confession- we prefer to use this sauce as a fry dip for air fryer French fries or air fryer sweet potato fries. You can try other foods too, like popcorn chicken, onion rings, chicken nuggets, and crispy chicken tenders.
• Salad dressing: Make my favorite Big Mac Salad and thin out this sauce with 1-2 tablespoons of water or milk. Toss it through the salad and drizzle over the top.
• Sandwich spread: Thanks to the mayonnaise in it, you can swap out the layer of mayo in your sandwiches with this sauce for something sweet and tangy. Try it in a sandwich with grilled chicken or roast beef. You can also balance out the spice in a spicy chicken sandwich with it too.

Storage instructions

To store: Leftover sauce can be stored in the refrigerator, covered, for up to two weeks.

To freeze: Place the sauce in a shallow container or glass jar and store it in the freezer for up to two months. 

More delicious sauces you’ll enjoy

• Katsu sauce
• Potsticker sauce
• Dipping sauce for sweet potato fries
• Peanut sauce
• Hot honey sauce