Look no further for the BEST Big Mac Sauce recipe! Wonderfully creamy with the perfect balance of sweet tanginess, this world famous sauce is perfect slathered on your burgers or used for dipping fries, onions rings and much more!
For more favorite homemade sauces be sure to try our Tartar Sauce, Teriyaki Sauce, Sweet and Sour Sauce and Yum Yum Sauce!
Making your own homemade Big Mac Sauce couldn’t be any simpler. There’s no cooking required, there’s virtually no prep work, and the only chopping or slicing involved is simply mincing a bit of onion. All you have to do is add all the ingredients in a bowl, stir to combine, and that’s it! This homemade Big Mac Sauce keeps for up to 2 weeks in the fridge so you can have it on hand whenever that McDonald’s Special Sauce craving comes a-calling!
What is Big Mac Sauce?
With roughly 34,000 restaurants serving nearly 70 million people every day in 118 countries, McDonald’s has certainly made its mark on the world. And no item on its menu is more iconic than the Big Mac that comes slathered with their popular “special sauce,” a sauce made with mayonnaise, pickles, onions, mustard and spices.
Unfortunately the commercially available stuff is packed to the brim with junk ingredients that are as difficult to pronounce as they are to digest. But now you can make your own homemade Big Mac Sauce without the junk ingredients and chances are you already have everything you need in your pantry!
How to Use Big Mac Sauce
Beyond its classic application you can use this versatile sauce in many other ways. Here are just a few ideas:
- Slather it on hamburgers and hot dogs
- Use it as a sandwich spread
- Add it to your pasta / macaroni salad and potato salad
- Drizzle it over your lettuce wraps
- Use it as a salad dressing by adding a tablespoon or two of milk to thin it out
- Heap it onto your baked potatoes
- Use it as a salad dressing
- Serve it as a dipping sauce for your French fries, baked potato wedges, onions rings and veggies
Big Mac Sauce Ingredients
Although it’s also called secret sauce, the we’re revealing the secret right here, right now! Big Mac Sauce contains only a few ingredients: Mayonnaise, pickle relish, onion, mustard, white vinegar, sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and paprika. Optional: For some added flavor I also like to add some ketchup. For another yummy, smoky flavor variation you can add a dash of barbecue sauce.
Big Mac Sauce Recipe
Let’s get started!
To make this sauce simply combine all of the ingredients in a bowl, cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving, preferably overnight to allow the flavors enough time to meld.
Store your sauce covered in the fridge where it will keep for up to 2 weeks. Give it a shake before serving.
Enjoy!
For more delicious homemade sauces be sure to try our:
- BBQ Sauce Recipe
- Tartar Sauce
- Teriyaki Sauce
- Sweet Chili Sauce
- Sweet and Sour Sauce
- Hoisin Sauce
- Black Bean Sauce
- Tahini
- Tzatziki Sauce
- Curry Ketchup
- Kecap Manis
Big Mac Sauce
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup quality mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons dill pickle relish (you can also use sweet pickle relish and omit the granulated sugar)
- 1 tablespoon finely minced onion
- 2 tablespoons natural ketchup or barbecue sauce , optional for a different flavor variation
- 2 teaspoons yellow mustard
- 1 teaspoon white vinegar
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
Instructions
- Place all of the ingredients in bowl and stir to combine. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving. Shake or stir before serving. Will keep for up to 2 weeks. Makes approximately 3/4 cup of sauce.
Video
Nutrition
Originally published on The Daring Gourmet June 9, 2020
Ellie says
Terrific sauce! Just the right amount of tang and sweetness and I love the creamy texture.
Kimberly Killebrew says
Thank you, Ellie, I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
Dan Murdoch says
Great sauce! This was my second time making it and the only thing I did differently was just add a splash of hot sauce because I like a little heat. This will definitely be a regular from now on.
Kimberly Killebrew says
I’m so glad, Dan, thank you!
Nathan says
This was excellent. Made it as written and wouldn’t change a thing. Thank you for sharing your recipe.
Kimberly Killebrew says
Thank you, Nathan, I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
Julie says
I’m just wondering what the vinegar is for? I saw one with pickle juice.
Kimberly Killebrew says
Hi Julie, the acidity is for balance and flavor.
Donalyn says
Delish – this is my go-to when I am making burgers in a bowl. No fast food for us, but this sauce tasted just like we remember!
Kimberly Killebrew says
Yay, I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Donalyn, thank you!
dana says
Seriously one of the best sauces for a burger ever!! When I was a kid I wished you could buy Big Mac sauce in a jar. Little did I know making it yourself is possible. DELISH.
Kimberly Killebrew says
Woohoo, that’s awesome, Dana, thank you so much!
Stephanie says
Oh la la! This Big Mac sauce is so good – perfectly seasoned, creamy and blows away other recipes I’ve tried. Nice I can make this at home and use in a variety of dishes.
Kimberly Killebrew says
Fantastic, Stephanie, I’m thrilled that you enjoyed it, thank you!
Dina and Bruce says
Love this sauce! Made a Big Mac in a Bowl and extra sauce! Yum!
Kimberly Killebrew says
I’m so glad, Dina and Bruce, thank you very much for the feedback!
Erica F says
I think my first love, 30 years ago, was the big mac & by far, this is the best copycat I’ve tried! Still in love & this will now be my go-to. Thanks <3
Kimberly Killebrew says
Thank you so much for the compliment, Erica, I’m thrilled that this has become your go-to!
gunjan says
Made this for our dinner last night and I must say it’s the best we have had. My family was super happy with this and I will definitely make it again.
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Yay! Thank you, gunjan, I’m so happy it was a hit!
dana says
Love this recipe! Where was this when I was a kid? We didn’t get McDonald’s too often but when we did, I obsessed over that mac sauce and always wished we could have it on our burgers at home. Love that grown up me can indulge kid me with this one.
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Wonderful! I’m so glad you enjoyed this, Dana, thank you for taking the time to leave feedback! <3
Ned says
Oh this is sooo good! Tasted just like the original recipe! Thank you!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Ah thank you so much, Ned!
Brian W. says
Look no further for perfection. This is it. Star of the show for dinner tonight.
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Fantastic, Brian, thank you so much!
Marissa says
I am impressed
Dele Wason says
No need to go to Maccie D again, this is a game changer, second time I am makeing this , the family requested it again, thank you so much
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Thank you, Dele, I’m so glad your family enjoyed it! :)
Kelly says
Absolutely amazing, thank you. It’s not like a lot of them that don’t have extra ingredients that really make a difference.
Well done just what I was looking for.
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Thank you so much, Kelly, I’m thrilled that you enjoyed it!