Homemade Big Mac Sauce (McDonald’s Copycat)
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. When you click on a link and/or make a purchase, I may be paid a small commission at no additional cost to you. Additionally, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Please read my Disclosure page for more information.
Our homemade Big Mac sauce tastes just as good as what you’ll find on your favorite McDonald’s Big Mac burger. This creamy sauce is made with tangy French dressing, mayo, sweet relish and a blend of spices.
And the best part? It takes just 5 minutes to whip up a batch of this homemade McDonald’s sauce.
Enter your email & I’ll send it to your inbox. Plus, get great new recipes from me every week!
We’re sharing tips to help you get the best results with this recipe. If you don’t need the tips, scroll to the bottom for the full recipe and a printable recipe card.
My favorite part of a Big Mac is the sauce (you too?). The iconic special sauce is creamy with the perfect balance of sweet tanginess. No wonder it’s a fast food favorite!
And it’s so easy to make at home. I love how much flavor this burger sauce brings to the party and that you can use it in a variety of ways. While there are many different ways to make it, I prefer to keep it easy peasy and use simple ingredients.
Copycat recipes are some of my favorites to recreate. Making them at home means they are budget friendly, and you don’t have to leave the house when a craving hits. The Taco Bell Crunchwrap Supreme, Taco Bell Baja Sauce and my Chipotle Chicken Bowl are a few favorite copycat recipes worth a try.
We use this secret sauce when making Big Mac Sliders, Big Mac Sloppy Joes, and as a salad dressing for Big Mac in a Bowl. So you might want to make a double batch (just saying!).
Ingredients
- mayonnaise – makes for a creamy base.
- French dressing – I used the creamy version, but the regular works as well.
- sweet relish – balances out the tanginess of the dressing.
- granulated sugar – adds just enough sweetness.
- distilled white vinegar – gives a little more tartness without it being too overbearing.
- minced garlic, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper – adds more flavor.
Get the complete ingredients & directions in the recipe card below.
How to Make Homemade Big Mac Sauce
Combine all of the ingredients except salt and pepper in a small bowl and whisk until combined.
Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Tips for Making
- The recipe ingredients are tailored to pair with regular mayonnaise. If you swap the mayo for Miracle Whip you’ll need to adjust ingredients.
- If the distilled vinegar seems too acidic for your liking, add 1/4 teaspoon of sugar at a time until you reach the desired sweetness.
- We prefer sweet pickle relish versus dill pickle relish because the French dressing adds quite a bit of tanginess.
- This sauce tastes the best after being chilled in the refrigerator for a bit, so the flavors have a chance to get to know each other.
Substitutions
- Ketchup can be used in place of the French dressing. However, it will be slightly sweeter and resemble a Thousand Island dressing.
- Regular paprika can be swapped for smoked.
What to Serve With
While you can use this copycat recipe on a regular burger patty, it’s great mixed in with Big Mac sloppy joes. It can also be drizzled on your favorite salad or used as a dipping sauce with French fries, onion rings, loose meat sliders, and chicken tenders. This famous sauce is also delicious with shrimp and crab cakes(seriously good!).
How to Store
Place the leftover sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 1 week. Mason jars work well for storing dressings and sauces.
Big Mac Sauce vs. Thousand Island
Although both Big Mac sauce and Thousand Island dressings share some common ingredients, such as mayonnaise and pickles, they differ in their precise recipes and flavors. And there are so many variations of both sauces that can cause them to taste very similar.
Homemade Big Mac sauce typically contains additional ingredients like vinegar and spices, while Thousand Island dressing usually includes ketchup, relish, and hard-boiled eggs. Additionally, McDonald’s Big Mac sauce has a mildly tangy and slightly sweet flavor profile, while Thousand Island dressing tends to be sweeter and more tangy.
MORE FAMILY Favorite
Dressings and Sauces
**Save the Homemade Big Mac Sauce Recipe for Later**
Homemade Big Mac Sauce
Equipment
- Mason jar optional for storage
Ingredients
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons French dressing
- 2 tablespoons sweet relish
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon white vinegar
- ½ teaspoon minced garlic
- ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika
- salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a mixing bowl.
- Whisk or stir together until smooth.
- Season with salt & pepper to taste.
Notes
- I used a creamy French dressing buy you can use regular French if that’s what you have on hand.
- If the sauce is too acidic for your taste, increase the amount of sugar by ¼ teaspoon at a time until it’s reached the desired sweetness.
- While you can serve the sauce immediately, it tastes best after it’s been refrigerated for 1-2 hours.
- Store the sauce in an airtight container or Mason jar in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
- Recipe makes 1.5 cups of sauce.
Nutritional Estimate
Nutritional information is provided as a reference, using an online calculator. We recommend verifying the information independently for accuracy.