McDonald’s Big Mac Sauce (Copycat Recipe)

Want to recreate McDonald’s legendary Big Mac Sauce? No need for the drive-thru. Make this iconic sauce at home with just a few simple ingredients.

It tastes just like the real deal. Creamy, tangy, sweet and savory. Plus, it is a fantastic dipping choice for fries, onion rings, and more! 

McDonald’s Big Mac Sauce

Big Mac sauce has been the king of burger sauces since 1968. And for good reason. It’s the perfect, zesty counterpart to a juicy burger.

I love this sauce so much that I made it a mission to make my own version. 

After several attempts to get the most accurate recreation, I’ve finally done it. 

This copycat McDonald’s sauce has the perfect balance of sweet, savory, and tangy. It tastes just like the OG but uses only natural ingredients. 

And it’s not just for burgers! Enjoy this “secret sauce” on salads, sandwiches, chicken tenders, and more.

With this copycat recipe, you can impress your family and friends with your very own Big Mac special sauce.  

The Origin of the Big Mac

Jim Delligatti created the world-famous burger in 1967. But “Big Mac” was not its original name.

First, it was “The Aristocrat,” and then “Blue Ribbon Burger.” Later, 21-year-old advertising secretary Esther Glickstein Rose suggested the now-iconic name.

By 1968, the Big Mac was so sought-after that McDonald’s added it to the menu of every U.S. franchise. 

In 1974, McDonald’s launched an advertising campaign for the Big Mac featuring a jingle enumerating the contents: 

“Two all-beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions   on a sesame seed bun.” 

Since then, the sauce has been called the “special sauce.” Some also call it the “secret sauce.”

Big Mac Sauce Ingredients

The original McDonald’s Big Mac Sauce calls for hard-to-pronounce ingredients. However, this tasty copycat recipe uses only pantry essentials. 

Big Mac sauce is a simple blend of condiments and spices:

• Mayonnaise- Mayonnaise is the base of the sauce. It adds tang and makes the sauce super creamy.
• Yellow Mustard- For tanginess and a bit of bitterness.
• Sweet Pickle Relish- For sweetness, tanginess, and crunch.
• Granulated Sugar- For sweetness.
• White Wine Vinegar – For a sour contrast and balance. 
• Paprika, Garlic Powder, Onion Powder- The spices that give the sauce some oomph.

Tips and Tricks

• Want it a little sweeter? Add extra sweetness (and tanginess) to the sauce with some ketchup.
• Make it smoky! You cannot go wrong with adding a little barbecue sauce. Just 1 to 2 tablespoons will do.
• Let the flavors mingle. Let the sauce sit for at least an hour in the fridge to allow the ingredients to meld together. This is not required, but it improves its flavor significantly.

How to Use Big Mac Sauce

Obviously, Big Mac Sauce is perfect for burgers. But it can do so much more!

You will never run out of ways to use it. So, double the batch!

You can use it to add flavor to any savory sandwich:

• Fried Egg Sandwich or Egg Salad
• Tuna Salad
• Chicken (I like it on this fried chicken sandwich.)
• Club Sandwich
• Roast Beef 

It also tastes fabulous on hot dogs!

You can even use it as a salad or pasta dressing. I use it on potato salad, and my whole family cannot get enough!

Drizzle it over lettuce, burrito, or sandwich wraps. 

Or use it to dunk French fries, onion rings, and quesadillas. 

How to Store

Refrigerate the sauce in an airtight container. It should not sit at room temperature beyond 2 hours. 

Keep the sauce in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.

I do not recommend freezing Big Mac sauce as it contains mayonnaise. Once thawed, the consistency of the sauce will be all off.