McDonald's Big Mac Sauce (Copycat Recipe)

This copycat Big Mac Sauce recipe is so close to the McDonald's special sauce, you won't be able to taste the difference! Use this homemade sauce to recreate your own homemade Big Macs, or as a topping for your favorite foods.

Big Mac Sauce has wonderfully creamy, tangy, and sweet. This flavor combination cuts through the richness of a fatty cheeseburger, making it a perfect burger topping. The secret sauce is said to taste very similar to Thousand Island dressing, despite not being tomato-based.

What are the Ingredients?

Contrary to many copycat recipes, Big Mac sauce is not the same as Thousand Island dressing nor does it even contain ketchup (muchless French dressing). How do I know there are no tomatoes in McDonald's Special Sauce? Because, I looked up the ingredient list. This is what is in McDonald's Big Mac Sauce:

Soybean Oil, Pickle Relish (Diced Pickles, High Fructose Corn Syrup, Sugar, Vinegar, Corn Syrup, Salt, Calcium Chloride, Xanthan Gum, Potassium Sorbate (Preservative), Spice Extractives, Polysorbate 80), Distilled Vinegar, Water, Egg Yolks, High Fructose Corn Syrup, Onion Powder, Mustard Seed, Salt, Spices, Propylene Glycol Alginate, Sodium Benzoate (Preservative), Mustard Bran, Sugar, Garlic Powder, Vegetable Protein (Hydrolyzed Corn, Soy and Wheat), Caramel Colour, Extractives of Paprika, Soy Lecithin, Turmeric (Colour), Calcium Disodium EDTA (Protect Flavour)

https://www.mcdonalds.com/us/en-us/product/big-mac-sauce.html

To replicate the tangy flavor of the real thing, you need the following ingredients for the homemade version:

• Mayo
• Sweet Pickle Relish
• Prepared Yellow Mustard
• White Wine Vinegar
• Paprika
• Garlic Powder
• Onion Powder

How to make it

Make your own Big Mac sauce simply by mixing the ingredients in a small bowl, then store it in the refrigerator overnight in an airtight container to allow the flavors to meld. You can enjoy it immediately if you are impatient, but letting it meld makes a big difference.

How to store it

Store your homemade Big Mac sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator. As a mayo-based sauce, it will spoil at room temperature if left outside of the fridge. It will also develop off-flavors when not sealed properly in a covered container. I do not recommend freezing it. Leftover sauce can be kept for weeks in your refrigerator when using fresh ingredients.

How to Use This Sauce

Serving McDonald's Special Sauce on savory homemade burgers isn't the only way it can be enjoyed. Try these new ideas as well:

• Homemade Big Macs - To make McDonald's Big Mac, lightly toast a sesame seed bun, and grab an extra bottom bun to use as the middle piece. Spread the special sauce on the bottom bun, sprinkle with diced onion, and shredded lettuce, then top with a slice of American cheese. Place one thin burger patty on the cheese, then add the middle bun, top with more sauce, lettuce, and add pickles. Finally add the second beef patty, crown with the top bun, and enjoy!
• Chicken sandwich - In India, Mcdonald's sells a Chicken Maharaja Mac, which is essentially a chicken Big Mac. Use this creamy condiment on your own chicken burger, or even chicken patties.
• Burger bowls - Skip the sesame seed bun, this condiment is a great way to whip up some delicious low-carb creations.
• Salads - This makes a delicious salad dressing to enjoy your own Big Mac Salad bowls.
• Cheeseburger Sloppy Joes - These sloppy Joes are great without sauce, but can certainly be enjoyed with it as well!
• Fries - Use this as a dipping sauce for French fries, sweet potato fries, onion rings, and steak fries
• Potato Salad - This is the perfect sauce to add an exciting twist to any potato salad!

This recipe was originally published April 20, 2018.