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.
Makes1 cupPrep5 minutesWe independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing.
It’s no secret that McDonald’s Big Macs are beloved all over the world, primarily for the sweet and tangy sauce that’s slathered onto the burger buns. And while there have been plenty of rumors suggesting the special sauce is simply Thousand Island dressing in disguise, McDonald’s says otherwise.
After watching McDonald’s executive chef’s YouTube video on how to make the world-famous sauce, we headed into our own kitchens to nail down the specifics (the video provided the ingredients, but no amounts). Several tweaks and taste-tests later, we came up with the most delicious Big Mac sauce.
So skip the drive-thru and make a jar of this sauce at home, and you’ll have it ready whenever Big Mac cravings strike.
What’s the Difference between Big Mac Sauce and Thousand Island Dressing?
It turns out that despite tasting similar to Thousand Island dressing, ketchup is nowhere to be found in Big Mac sauce. Instead, the sauce gets its peachy-pink color from a dash of paprika, and signature creamy tang from a combination of mayo, mustard, and relish.
Key Ingredients in Big Mac Sauce
More Copycat Recipes to Try
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Copycat McDonald's Big Mac Sauce Recipe
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.
Prep time 5 minutes
Makes 1 cup
Nutritional Info
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup
mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon
yellow mustard
- 2 tablespoons
sweet pickle relish
- 2 teaspoons
granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon
white wine vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon
paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon
garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon
onion powder
Instructions
Place 3/4 cup mayonnaise,1 tablespoon yellow mustard, 2 tablespoons sweet pickle relish, 2 teaspoons granulated sugar, 1/2 teaspoon white wine vinegar, 1/2 teaspoon paprika, 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder, and 1/4 teaspoon onion powder in a medium bowl. Whisk to combine.
Recipe Notes
Storage: The sauce can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 1 week.
FAQs
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.
Where does McDonald's get their Big Mac sauce from? ›
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.
Is Big Mac sauce just thousand island? ›
The answer is no… but they are similar. Both of the condiments have a creamy consistency and include pickle relish. But, McDonald's Big Mac Sauce includes vinegar and has a bit more pickle relish in it than Thousand Island dressing.
What is the special sauce on a Big Mac made of? ›
Ingredients: Soybean Oil, Sweet Relish (diced Pickles, Sugar, High Fructose Corn Syrup, Distilled Vinegar, Salt, Corn Syrup, Xanthan Gum, Calcium Chloride, Spice Extractives), Water, Egg Yolks, Distilled Vinegar, Spices, Onion Powder, Salt, Propylene Glycol Alginate, Garlic Powder, Vegetable Protein (hydrolyzed Corn, ...
What is the Big Mac sauce dupe at the retail chain? ›
But ultimately, he made his decision. “The one that best replicated Big Mac sauce from McDonald's that you should go buy if you want it is… Great Value Secret Sauce,” he says, holding up a bottle of Walmart-brand liquid gold. “Look at the ingredients statement — it's almost identical,” Haracz adds.
What is the closest store sauce to Big Mac sauce? ›
According to a video posted by TikTok influencer Mike Haracz, a former McDonald's corporate chef, Great Value brand Secret Sauce is the closest thing you'll get to the fast food chain's Big Mac sauce.
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.
Can you ask McDonald's for Big Mac sauce? ›
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.
Can you buy a cup of Big Mac sauce? ›
Sabrina has been with PEOPLE since 2021. Two all beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions on a sesame seed bun — and now, an extra cup of Big Mac sauce. For the first time, fans can order dipping cups of the iconic burger sauce.
Can you order Big Mac sauce by itself? ›
And you can't just walk in and ask for them — the only way to get the cups is by ordering them on the McDonald's app. According to the golden arches, fans have been asking for a side of Big Mac sauce for years on social media and beyond.
In 2018, McDonald's revamped the sauce by removing potassium sorbate, sodium benzoate, and calcium disodium EDTA. The sauce is occasionally available for purchase on its own for a limited time. The first time was in 2015. A 25 ml (0.85 U.S. fl oz) tube was available for purchase but only in restaurants in Australia.
What kind of cheese is on a Big Mac? ›
It's topped off with pickles, crisp shredded lettuce, finely chopped onion, and a slice of American cheese.
What is the closest thing to the Big Mac sauce? ›
Big Mac sauce and Great Value Secret Sauce are nearly identical in terms of ingredients.
Can you get Big Mac sauce on a regular burger? ›
Starting April 27, Big Mac sauce is available in sauce cups (think the barbecue, sweet and sour, or honey mustard containers that come with your McNuggets). That means you can dip any sandwich, fries, hashbrowns, or, what the heck, even an apple pie, directly into a well of Big Mac sauce to your heart's content.
Is Big Mac sauce just burger sauce? ›
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.
Can you order a side of Big Mac sauce at mcdonalds? ›
You can get the sauce with the purchase of Chicken McNuggets at no extra charge or order it a la carte so you can use it on any McDonald's item you wish: fries, hash browns, cheeseburgers — you name it. (You want to put Big Mac sauce on a baked apple pie?
Why did McDonald's stop selling Big Mac sauce? ›
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.
