Big Mac Sauce

Creamy and decadent, this homemade Big Mac sauce is the recreation of one of McDonald’s signature condiments. Made with simple ingredients, it tastes BETTER than the original.

Everyone knows the best part of the Big Mac burger is the creamy and dreamy sauce. It’s so good that we used to ask for it on the side as a dipping sauce.

As the classic Big Mac is a family favorite, it’s a no-brainer to make the signature element, the sauce, at home. This homemade Big Mac sauce recipe is so good you’ll add it to everything!

Table of Contents

1. Why this recipe works
2. What is Big Mac sauce?
3. Ingredients needed
4. How to make Big Mac sauce
5. How to use this sauce
6. Storage instructions
7. More delicious sauces you’ll enjoy
8. Frequently Asked Questions
9. Big Mac Sauce (McDonald’s Copycat)

Why this recipe works

• It’s ready in seconds. All you do is add everything into a bowl, mix it together, and enjoy. 
• Tastes like McDonald’s. Even die-hard fans can’t taste 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 to use the best ingredients in their food, and the sauce is no exception. In our homemade version, we use just FIVE ingredients.

Ingredients needed

Homemade McDonald’s Big Mac sauce is so easy to make and as we mentioned earlier, needs 5 pantry staples to whip up. Here is what you’ll need:

• Mayonnaise. Mayonnaise provides a creamy base. I recommend using a full-fat yolk-based mayo as this has the best flavor and thicker texture.
• Pickle relish. A key ingredient in the burger sauce. It adds the perfect amount of sweetness to the sauce 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 American mustard.
• Smoked paprika. A little smokiness is what you need to bring all the tart, tangy, sweet, and savory flavors together. 

How to make Big Mac sauce

Copycat Big Mac sauce tastes EVEN better than the kind you get at McDonald’s. Ready to whip some up?

1. Combine: Add all ingredients into a bowl and whisk until fully combined. 
2. Adjust: Taste the sauce and add more mustard of it’s too sweet or more relish if it’s too tangy.
3. Serve: Transfer the sauce to a serving dish or store it in the fridge for later use.

How to use this 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 French fries or sweet potato fries. You can try other foods too, like popcorn chicken or corn nuggets.

Salad dressing: Make our 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
• Eel sauce
• Potsticker sauce
• Fry sauce

Frequently Asked Questions