Big Mac Sauce (Quick Copycat Recipe)

This Big Mac Sauce recipe is spot-on to the real deal from McDonald’s! It’s creamy, tangy, and full of that iconic flavor that takes any burger — especially a Big Mac — to the next level. Now you don’t have to hit the drive-thru to get your fix. You can make this famous McDonald’s Special Sauce right at home in just minutes and enjoy it on burgers, sandwiches, or even as a dip for fries. I’ve perfected plenty of copycat burger sauces — like my In-N-Out Sauce and Shake Shack Sauce — and just like those, this one is quick, easy, and tastes even better than what you’d get at the restaurant. Once you make it, you’ll want to keep a jar of this homemade Big Mac Sauce in your fridge at all times.

Why I Love This Big Mac Sauce Recipe

Like most people, I grew up loving McDonald’s, and nothing quite hit the spot like a Big Mac with extra sauce. That creamy, tangy, slightly sweet flavor is what made it special — I’d always try to make sure every bite had a little bit of sauce on it. Years later — when I first got into cooking — I got curious about whether I could recreate that same flavor at home, and after a few rounds of testing (and plenty of tasting), I nailed it with this copycat Big Mac sauce recipe.

It tastes exactly like the original — maybe even better — but it’s made with simple pantry ingredients. The combination of mayonnaise, sweet pickle relish, French dressing, and spices gives it that signature flavor you know and love, and the texture is just as creamy and smooth as the McDonald’s version.

It’s also ridiculously easy to make — I’m talking a few minutes from start to finish. Just mix everything together and it’s ready to serve. And while it’s famous for burgers, I use it on everything: as a dip for McDonalds french fries, drizzled over McDoanlds chicken nuggets, spread on McDonalds spicy chicken sandwich, and so much more.

It’s also surprisingly good as a salad dressing or as a sauce for wraps and burger bowls. Basically, if it’s savory, this sauce makes it better. Every time I make it for a cookout, someone inevitably says, “Wait, did you get this from McDonald’s?” — that’s how close it is to the real thing.

Big Mac Sauce Ingredients

My favorite part about this Big Mac sauce copycat recipe is that it's made with just a handful of ingredients. I even bet you already have all of them in your fridge and pantry right now!

Here's what you'll need to make this world-famous sauce:

• ½ cup Mayonnaise
• 2 tbsp. French dressing 
• 1 tbsp. Onion, grated
• 2 tbsp. Sweet pickle relish
• 1 tsp. White Vinegar
• ½ tsp. Paprika
• ½ tsp. Onion Powder
• ½ tsp. Garlic Powder
• ½ tsp. Salt

By the way, just so you know, you can use a lot of these ingredients to make my McDonald's breakfast sauce recipe. So, you might want to check that one out next!

Ingredient Substitutions and Suggestions

This Big Mac sauce recipe has been carefully tested to match the exact flavor of the real McDonald’s Big Mac sauce, with just the right balance of tangy, sweet, and creamy. That said, one of the best parts of making a copycat Big Mac sauce at home is that you can easily tweak it to fit your own taste preferences.

If you prefer a slightly less sweet flavor, try using dill pickle relish instead of sweet relish. It adds a tangy, briny crunch that cuts through the richness of the mayo and gives the sauce more bite — similar to the tang you get from the pickles on a Big Mac. If you love the sweeter flavor, you can stick with sweet pickle relish or even mix the two for the best of both worlds.

You can also play around with the spice levels to customize the flavor. Add an extra pinch of paprika for a smokier undertone, a touch more garlic or onion powder for boldness, or a small splash of vinegar if you want a sharper, more acidic bite. Each small adjustment can make the sauce uniquely yours while keeping that signature Big Mac flavor.

If you’re feeling creative, you can experiment with different dressings as a base too. While French dressing gives it that authentic McDonald’s taste, Catalina dressing can make the color deeper and the flavor slightly tangier.

Still, I highly recommend making this Big Mac sauce exactly as written the first time around. Once you’ve tried it, you’ll have a perfect reference point for any future tweaks — though, I have a feeling you’ll find it’s already pretty spot-on to the original.

How To Make Big Mac Sauce

This Big Mac sauce recipe makes ½ a cup of the special sauce in just minutes. If you'd like to make more sauce, simply double or triple the recipe. Anyway, here's how to make the best Big Mac sauce copycat recipe.

Step 1: Mix The Ingredients

Take out a large mixing bowl and add the mayonnaise, French dressing, onion, sweet relish, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, vinegar, and salt. Mix all the ingredients thoroughly until they are fully combined to form a smooth sauce.

Step 2: Serve The Big Mac Sauce

Either use the sauce immediately on anything you want, or transfer it to an airtight container, such as a sauce bottle or glass jar, and store it in the fridge. 

Expert Tips for The Best Big Mac Sauce

• Use high-quality mayonnaise for the best flavor. Since mayonnaise makes up most of this Big Mac sauce recipe, using a good-quality full-fat mayo (like Hellmann’s or Duke’s) will give you the creamiest texture and the richest flavor. Light mayo or reduced-fat versions can make the sauce thinner and less flavorful. For a lighter option, you can use avocado oil mayo, but stick to full-fat for the most authentic McDonald’s taste.
• Grate or finely mince the onion. Texture is everything in a copycat Big Mac sauce. Grating the onion ensures that it blends smoothly into the sauce, preventing raw onion chunks and giving the sauce that silky consistency you’re used to from McDonald’s. It also releases natural onion juices, enhancing the overall flavor without overpowering it.
• Don’t skip the French dressing. The French dressing is what gives this homemade Big Mac sauce its distinctive tang and light orange color. It’s the secret ingredient that ties everything together — providing a subtle sweetness and zesty flavor that you won’t get from ketchup or plain vinegar. And it's so much better than just French dressing alone, so it's a win-win.
• Chill before serving for the most authentic flavor. Once mixed, cover the sauce and let it chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes — ideally an hour. This allows the flavors to meld together and the texture to thicken, just like the sauce used at McDonald’s. The difference in flavor between freshly mixed and chilled sauce is night and day — after chilling, it becomes smoother, more balanced, and perfectly tangy.
• Adjust the balance of sweetness and tang to your taste. Taste your sauce before serving and make small adjustments if needed. If it’s too tangy, add a touch more mayo or relish; if it’s too mild, add a few drops of vinegar or a pinch of paprika for more bite. Customizing it this way ensures your Big Mac sauce suits your personal taste — while staying true to the original.

Big Mac Sauce FAQS

Is Big Mac sauce just Thousand Island dressing?

This is one of the most common questions, and while Big Mac sauce is similar to Thousand Island dressing, the two are not the same. Thousand Island dressing is made with ketchup, lemon juice, and finely chopped hard-boiled eggs, giving it a tangier, sweeter flavor. McDonald’s Big Mac sauce, on the other hand, is made without ketchup or lemon juice — it has a French dressing base instead, which makes it smoother, creamier, and slightly more savory. The result is a sauce that’s richer and less tangy than Thousand Island, with a distinct balance of sweetness, smokiness, and spice that sets it apart.

What is Big Mac sauce made of?

The Big Mac sauce gets its iconic flavor from a simple mix of pantry staples — primarily mayonnaise, sweet pickle relish, and French dressing. These ingredients form the creamy base, while a touch of white vinegar adds tang, and spices like paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt layer in savory depth. When mixed together, they create that signature flavor that’s creamy, zesty, slightly sweet, and unbelievably addictive.

Is this the real McDonald’s Big Mac sauce recipe?

While McDonald’s keeps the official formula under wraps, this copycat Big Mac sauce recipe is incredibly close. It’s been tested and refined to match the restaurant version in both flavor and texture. Most people can’t tell the difference — and many say it actually tastes even better since it’s made fresh with real ingredients.

Can I make Big Mac sauce ahead of time?

Yes! In fact, Big Mac sauce tastes even better after chilling. You can make it up to 3 days in advance and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The resting time allows the flavors to meld together, creating a smoother, more balanced sauce that’s even closer to the original.

How long does homemade Big Mac sauce last?

Stored properly in an airtight container or jar, this homemade Big Mac sauce lasts for up to 2 weeks in the refrigerator. Stir well before using to restore the creamy consistency, as some separation may occur over time. For the best taste, use within the first few days.

What can I serve Big Mac sauce with?

This versatile sauce is delicious on a wide range of foods, not just burgers! It's a dip for fries, chicken nuggets, or onion rings, and makes an amazing spread for sandwiches, wraps, or grilled chicken. You can even drizzle it over salads or baked potatoes for a fun twist. Basically, if it’s savory, this sauce will make it better.

Wrapping It Up

Well, that's how to make Big Mac sauce from scratch! This delicious homemade version of the iconic McDonald's Big Mac sauce is one you'll want to have with every meal. It's seriously that good, and it's great to have on hand since you can honestly eat it with almost everything. 

Anyway, I hope you like this McDonald's Big Mac sauce as much as I do. If you make it, leave a comment below and let us know your thoughts!

More Copycat Sauce Recipes To Try

If you enjoyed this McDonald's special sauce, I think you'll also like some of our other sauce recipes. 

Give these a try next:

• McDonald's szechuan sauce
• McDonald's sweet & sour sauce
• Chick-Fil-A sauce
• McDonald's tartar sauce
• Wingstop ranch
• Seafood boil sauce
  

Oh, and for more easy to make recipes - just like this one - be sure to check out our Youtube, Instagram, and Tiktok pages. We post new ones on them every single day.