As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. See my disclosure policy.
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!
Watch How to Make It
For more delicious homemade sauces be sure to try our:
Big Mac Sauce
Kimberly Killebrew
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 more!
Prep Time 5 minutes mins
Chill Time 2 hours hrs
Total Time 2 hours hrs 5 minutes mins
Course condiment, Sauce
Cuisine American
Servings 12
Calories 68 kcal
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
Nutrition
Serving: 1tablespoon | Calories: 68kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 4mg | Sodium: 178mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 47IU | Iron: 1mg
Keyword Big Mac Sauce, Special Sauce
Tried this recipe? Mention @daringgourmet or hashtag #daringgourmet
Originally published on The Daring Gourmet June 9, 2020
FAQs
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!
Is Big Mac sauce the same as Thousand Island? ›
Is Big Mac Sauce the same as Thousand Island Dressing? The two are similar, but they have different ingredient ratios. Also, Thousand Island dressing is made with ketchup and diced onions. Big Mac sauce doesn't use either of these ingredients.
What sauce is closest to Big Mac sauce? ›
The chef revealed that Walmart's Great Value Secret Sauce will deliver the most accurate version of Big Mac sauce outside of a McDonald's.
What is the secret to Big Mac sauce according to a former McDonald's chef? ›
According to Haracz, it all begins with one cup of mayonnaise. He specifically said he uses Hellmann's but that you can "use what you want" for your Big Mac Sauce. Next, he adds a quarter cup of sweet pickle relish, followed by two tablespoons of Dusseldorf Mustard and one teaspoon of white wine vinegar.
What is the formula to the secret sauce of McDonald's? ›
1 cup mayonnaise. 2 tablespoons relish (drained) 1/2 teaspoon granulated sugar. 2 tablespoons Thousand Island dressing.
What tastes most like Big Mac sauce? ›
Haracz continued, saying fans of the popular fast food chain's sauce who are looking for something that's both “store-bought” and “already purchased” should try Walmart's Great Value Secret Sauce. The sauce, Haracz said, is “closest” to the Big Mac sauce that is “served in the restaurant.”
Will McDonald's sell you Big Mac sauce? ›
According to McDonald's, you'll have to order exclusively through the restaurant's app to get your hands on the sauce, which comes in blue and white packaging inspired by an early Big Mac wrapper.
Can you just order Big Mac sauce? ›
But the limited-edition Big Mac sauce cups won't stick around forever. Having a special sauce isn't unique to any one burger chain, but for every chain that has one, that sauce has its diehard fans.
Why is Big Mac sauce so good? ›
The reason Big Mac sauce is such a hit is because it's unique. A lot of restaurants have “special sauces,” but few are as beloved as Big Mac sauce. It's the perfect blend of creamy, acidic, savory, and slightly sweet that compliments the rest of the burger incredibly well.
Can you ask for a side of Big Mac sauce at mcdonalds? ›
Whether you're a longtime fan of the iconic Big Mac sandwich or curious to taste its signature sauce, Big Mac sauce is now available à la carte at McDonald's. Customers can order a dipping cup of the special sauce for 50 cents to accompany french fries or nuggets, but don't expect to ask for it at counter.
McDonald's refuses to sell Big Mac sauce and other products in retail outlets because the owners of their restaurants would want a cut of any profits, a top former employee has claimed.
Can you ask for Big Mac sauce on any burger? ›
The fast-food chain, starting April 27, will let you dip or smother whatever you order with the popular sauce. When you order through the McDonald's app, for a limited time, you can get free dipping cups of Big Mac sauce with an order of Chicken McNuggets. You can also order packets à la carte with any order.
What is a poor man's Big Mac at McDonald's? ›
Poor Man's Big Mac: A McDouble with Big Mac Sauce.
What year did McDonald's change the Big Mac sauce? ›
In 2018, McDonald's revamped the sauce by removing potassium sorbate, sodium benzoate, and calcium disodium EDTA.
What is the secret item you can order at mcdonalds? ›
Bababooey Burger
This fun combination throws in everything but the kitchen sink and remains one of the most popular secret menu items at McDonald's. To create this burger, order a McDouble and a McChicken. Remove the chicken patty from the bun and place between the two burger patties.
What is McDonald's signature sauce made of? ›
The exact recipe for McDonald's Signature Sauce is a closely guarded secret, known only to a select few individuals within the company. However, based on its flavor profile and appearance, it's believed to contain a blend of mayonnaise, mustard, sweet pickle relish, and a variety of spices.
Why is the Big Mac sauce so good? ›
The reason Big Mac sauce is such a hit is because it's unique. A lot of restaurants have “special sauces,” but few are as beloved as Big Mac sauce. It's the perfect blend of creamy, acidic, savory, and slightly sweet that compliments the rest of the burger incredibly well.
Does Big Mac sauce taste like mayo? ›
A combination of mayo, mustard, and relish give Big Mac sauce its signature creamy tang. Here's the easiest way to make it at home. We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission.
Will McDonald's give you a side of Big Mac sauce? ›
But the limited-edition Big Mac sauce cups won't stick around forever. Having a special sauce isn't unique to any one burger chain, but for every chain that has one, that sauce has its diehard fans.
