Easy Big Mac Sauce (That’s Better Than the Real Thing!)

5 from 3 votes

Apr 25, 2024

This must-make-immediately Big Mac Sauce recipe is a 1-step, zero-heat sauce to smother burgers and fries with.

Big Mac Sauce in a glass dish with a spoon.

There are so many ways to use this sauce; layer it on a burger bun or over beef patties, use it as a dipping sauce, or drizzle it over a salad.

Why You’ll Love This Copycat Big Mac Sauce Recipe
Here’s What You Need
Substitutions and Variations
How to Make Big Mac Sauce: An Easy Guide
Make Ahead and Storage
How to Serve this Big Mac Sauce Recipe
Final Notes, Pro Tips + Science-Based Secrets
FAQs About Big Mac Sauce
Easy Big Mac Sauce (That’s Better Than the Real Thing!) Recipe

Why You’ll Love This Copycat Big Mac Sauce Recipe

Check out why you’ll have a permanent stash of this Big Mac sauce going forward:

Iconic taste: This recipe captures the classic taste of special sauce but tastes sooo much better than McDonald’s.
Easy to make: It comes together in minutes to lather onto homemade burgers, French fries, chicken nuggets, veggies, salads and sandwiches.
Make-ahead: You can prepare this sauce ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for several days. I love the way the taste deepens over time.

Here’s What You Need

Let’s get into it: ingredients and tools – here’s what you’ll need:

Ingredients

Its a bunch of basic ingredients for this copycat recipe. Nothing fancy:

Mayonnaise: Use good-quality mayonnaise as the base of the Big Mac sauce. Choose a traditional mayonnaise or a vegan version if you like.
White onion: Finely minced white onion adds texture and a subtle onion flavor to the sauce.
Sugar: This adds sweetness to balance the tanginess of the vinegar and ketchup in the sauce.
White vinegar: It provides acidity and tanginess to the sauce. It helps to balance the flavors.
Ketchup: Choose a high-quality ketchup for the best results.
Sweet pickle relish: This contributes sweetness, tanginess, and texture to the sauce.
Kosher salt and black pepper: Season well, friends!

Substitutions and Variations

Here’s how to adjust the recipe a little:

Honey or maple syrup: Replace the sugar with honey or maple syrup for a natural sweetener.
Apple cider vinegar: If you don’t have white vinegar on hand, apple cider vinegar can be used as a substitute.
Dill pickle relish: Use dill pickle relish instead of sweet pickle relish for a tangier and more savory variation.
Garlic powder: Enhance the sauce’s flavor by adding a pinch of garlic powder.
Sriracha or hot sauce: Add some sass to the sauce by mixing a few dashes of Sriracha or your favorite hot sauce.

Tools to Grab

There is not much to it – grab a bowl and a spoon or whisk to mix the ingredients together.

How to Make Big Mac Sauce: An Easy Guide

It’s a one-step wonder. Hold on to your seat:

Combine the ingredients

Mix all the ingredients in a bowl. Mix well until the sauce is smooth. Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed. Done!

Make Ahead and Storage

You can prepare this Copycat Big Mac Sauce and store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to one week.

If you’ve made a larger batch and won’t be able to use it all within a week, consider freezing the sauce.

How to Serve this Big Mac Sauce Recipe

Phew, there is so much you can use this sauce for; here are a few ideas.

Use Big Mac sauce as a spread in wraps or sandwiches for extra flavor.

It pairs well with grilled chicken, turkey, steak, or vegetarian options like roasted vegetables.

Use it On a Burger

The most classic way to enjoy Big Mac sauce is on burger’s bottom bun.

Spread a couple of teaspoons of your not-so-secret sauce over your favorite burger patties. Add iceberg lettuce, a slice of American cheese, pickles, onions and a sesame seed bun for a better-than-the-original Big Mac experience.

Fav Burger Recipes to Use it Up!

Mushroom Swiss Burgers
Salmon Burgers
Air Fryer Turkey Burgers
Moist Ground Chicken Burgers
Meatloaf Sandwiches (almost a burger, and still delish with big mac sauce)

As a Dip

Big Mac sauce makes a delicious dip for fries, onion rings, chicken nuggets, or even fresh vegetables.

A few dippers to try!

Big Mac sauce can also be used as a creamy salad dressing. Thin it with a little water or vinegar to drizzle over salads like a classic Thousand Island dressing.

I love chopping up leftover hamburger patties for a big mac salad the next day.

You could even make a delicious Hamburger Casserole, pile it high with shredded iceberg lettuce, diced tomato, dill pickle slices and minced white onion, then drizzle it over with this sauce.

Final Notes, Pro Tips + Science-Based Secrets

Big Mac sauce is an iconic condiment known for its creamy texture and tangy flavor. Check out my pro tips and notes:

Shake it up in a Jar: Add all ingredients to a jar, close the lid and give it a good shake and you can store your sauce in the same dish you prepped it in..
Emulsification: Emulsifiers in the mayo help bind the oil and water-based ingredients together, creating a smooth and stable sauce that’ll last in the fridge without separating. Yay!
Flavor enhancers: Add a little dab of yellow mustard and/or stir in a little paprika for more color and complexity in the sauce. I like mustard when I’m using it for burgers but not as a dressing.

FAQs About Big Mac Sauce

Just skimming through? Check out these top takeouts:

Is Big Mac Sauce the Same as Thousand Island Dressing?

While Big Mac sauce and Thousand Island dressing share some similarities, they are not exactly the same. Big Mac sauce typically consists of mayonnaise, ketchup, vinegar, sweet pickle relish, onion powder, and garlic powder, while Thousand Island dressing typically includes mayonnaise, ketchup, sweet pickle relish, and finely chopped hard-boiled eggs.

Can I Make Big Mac Sauce Without Mayonnaise?

While mayonnaise is a key ingredient in Big Mac sauce and contributes to its creamy texture, you can experiment with alternative bases such as Greek yogurt or vegan mayonnaise.

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5 from 3 votes