Enjoy your favorite Big Mac Sauce from the comfort of your own home!
A Delicious Sauce from Pantry Staples
I don’t know about you, but McDonald’s Big Mac Sauce hits different. They stumbled upon something beautiful with that stuff. Here’s why I love this homemade version:
- It uses simple condiments and common spices, all of which you probably have on hand already.
- It’s EASY. No actual cooking required here, folks. Just a quick whisk and a 2-hour chill in the fridge.
- You can store it for up to a week, so make it in advance for a whole week of meals!
Key Ingredients
All the components of this sauce are pretty much essential, but I still want to highlight a few:
- Mayo - This is the base of the sauce. You can use whatever kind of mayo you want; it shouldn’t affect the flavor too much.
- Ketchup - I tested this sauce with both ketchup and French dressing and preferred the ketchup version. Trust me, it’s better.
- Relish - The pickles in relish add some texture and crunch, alongside their signature tangy flavor. You can use dill relish if you prefer, but I'd recommend sticking with sweet relish here, and let the next ingredient do the work of bringing the bite.
- Apple cider vinegar - ACV adds a nice acidity to the sauce.
- Sugar - This one is optional, but I think it adds just the right amount of sweetness.
- Spices - Bring on the flavor! We’re keeping it simple with this one. Just add some paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder. You’re good to go.
How to Make Our Copycat Big Mac Sauce
- In a large bowl, whisk together all of the ingredients until smooth.
- Refrigerate for 2 hours or overnight for the best flavor. Store the sauce in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week. Give it a stir before using.
Tips and FAQS
Is Big Mac Sauce Just Thousand Island?
No. They're similar, but Thousand Island has more tomato, and a different quantity of spices while Big Mac sauce contains more mayonnaise.
Does Big Mac Sauce Have to be refrigerated?
Yes, it should be kept in the fridge when not in use. You can store Big Mac Sauce in the fridge for up to a week.
Should I Refrigerate this Big Mac Sauce Before Using it?
For the best flavor, store the sauce in the fridge for 2 hours or overnight before using it.
Can I Freeze Big Mac Sauce?
Probably don't. Like any dressing it's mostly mayonnaise and acidic ingredients mixed together, so best to enjoy fresh.
Does Big Mac Sauce Expire?
Yes. Acids in the vinegar will break down sugars and fats so we recommend using any leftover Big Mac Sauce within a week.
Can I use French Dressing Instead of Ketchup in this Big Mac Sauce Recipe?
Listen, I’m not gonna tell you what to do. But after testing a version with French dressing and one with ketchup, I think ketchup is the superior choice.
What to Serve Big Mac Sauce With
Okay, you’ve made the sauce…now what? Don’t worry, I have a few recipes to get you started. Use your new favorite sauce in these Big Mac Sloppy Joes, Air Fryer Hamburgers, or Big Mac Salad. You can also check out this entire page dedicated to burgers.
More Sauce Recipes You Might Enjoy
If you’ve made it this far, you’re probably a sauce aficionado like me. Here are a couple more of my favorite sauce recipes: Tomato Bacon Jam and Homemade Pesto are great, but if you're more into dipping, don't miss this copycat Shake Shake cheese sauce, or the sauce from my game day favorite snack, Meat Candy!
Copycat Big Mac Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 cup mayo
- 2 Tablespoons sweet pickle relish
- 1 Tablespoon ketchup
- 2 teaspoons mustard
- 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar ((optional))
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
Instructions
- In a large bowl, whisk together all of the ingredients until smooth.
- Refrigerate for 2 hours or overnight for the best flavor. Store the sauce in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week. Give it a stir before using.