Copycat Homemade Big Mac (With Secret Sauce Recipe)

If you love McDonald’s Big Mac, just wait until you try this copycat Big Mac recipe. From the sesame seed bun to the juicy double burger patties and that iconic Big Mac secret sauce, this homemade version tastes exactly like the original — maybe even better. If you’ve tried my McDonald’s Chicken Nuggets or McGriddle recipe, you already know I’ve perfected the art of recreating fast-food classics. This homemade Big Mac follows that same formula — easy-to-follow steps, everyday ingredients, and flavor that’s spot-on to the real thing. Once you make it at home, you might never hit the drive-thru again.

Why I Love This Big Mac Recipe

By now, I’ve become a bit of a pro at developing McDonald’s copycat recipes, but recreating the Big Mac felt like the ultimate challenge. It’s not just any burger — it’s an icon. That perfectly balanced combination of two beef patties, melty American cheese, lettuce, pickles, and the secret Big Mac sauce is one of a kind. So, I made it my mission to get it right.

I spent days testing the sauce ratios, toasting buns, layering, and adjusting the seasoning until I finally nailed it. The first bite of this homemade Big Mac instantly brought me back to the real thing — juicy, tangy, cheesy perfection. Honestly, I’d put this version up against McDonald’s any day.

My favorite part? It’s surprisingly easy to make. This recipe uses the same basic steps as a traditional burger, but with just a few tweaks to capture that signature Big Mac taste. The result is a burger that’s crispy on the edges, tender in the middle, and drenched in creamy special sauce — all while being a little healthier and fresher than the original.

Pair your homemade Big Mac with McDonald's french fries or spicy chicken nuggets for the full fast-food experience — and finish with my McDonalds chocolate chip cookies for dessert. It’s an entire McDonald’s menu made right at home!

Big Mac Ingredients

Here's what you need for the Big Mac:

• 0.5lb. ground chuck or ground beef
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 2 burger buns with sesame seeds + 2 extra bottom buns
• 2 tablespoon chopped onion
• 2 slices of American cheese
• 6 dill pickle slices
• Fresh lettuce, shredded

And here's what you'll need to make the Big Mac Sauce:

• ¼ cup mayonnaise
• ¼ tablespoon India relish, drained
• ¼ tablespoon Thousand Island dressing
• 1 good pinch of sugar

By the way, if you want to make another unique burger recipe, you can use a lot of these ingredients to make this Krabby Patty recipe next!

How To Make a Big Mac at Home

Step 1: Season the Beef

First things first, you'll want to season the ground beef with salt and freshly ground black pepper, mixing it into the meat with your hands. Then, place the beef mixture in a large bowl, cover it with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 30 minutes.

Step 2: Cook the Burgers

As soon as the 30 minutes are up, you can proceed to shape the beef into 4 equal-sized hamburger patties. Then take out a cast-iron skillet and put it over medium heat. Once it's hot, cook the hamburger patties for about 3 minutes on each side, turning them once. After you cook all of them to perfection, you can set the hamburgers aside.

Step 3: Make the Big Mac Sauce & Toast the Buns

Add the mayonnaise, India relish, Thousand Island dressing, and a pinch of sugar to a bowl and mix well to combine. Then you can set the sauce aside while you work on the sesame seed buns.

For the hamburger buns, use the same skillet in which you cooked the burgers and place the tops of the buns, cut side down, in the skillet. You'll want to let them cook for a minute or so until golden brown and crispy. Next, repeat this step with the bottom of the buns, cooking them on both sides.

Step 4: Assemble the Burgers

Ok, now that everything is prepared, it's time to assemble the burgers! First, place a bun on the bottom and top it with the Big Mac sauce, followed by the onions, lettuce, cheese, burger patty, and the middle bun (the bottom of the cut bun). Then add more Big Mac sauce, lettuce, and a second burger patty, and finish it off with pickles and the top of the hamburger buns. Serve warm and enjoy!

Expert Tips for The Best Homemade Big Mac

• Use ground chuck for authentic flavor and juiciness. The original McDonald’s Big Mac uses a blend that’s about 80% lean and 20% fat, which keeps the patties juicy and flavorful. Ground chuck is ideal because it has the perfect fat-to-meat ratio and gives your burger that classic, beefy taste. Avoid extra-lean beef — it’ll dry out too fast on the skillet.
• Make thin, wide patties — they’ll shrink as they cook. A signature Big Mac has thin patties that cover the entire bun, so flatten them a little more than you think you should. As they cook, they’ll shrink slightly, creating that McDonald’s-style look and bite. Use a burger press or the back of a spatula to flatten them evenly for consistent cooking.
• Season the beef simply — just salt and pepper. Resist the urge to over-season. McDonald’s burgers get their flavor from simplicity. A generous sprinkle of salt and black pepper on both sides of the patty is all you need. This lets the Big Mac sauce and toppings shine while keeping that classic fast-food flavor balance.
• Toast the buns for texture and flavor. Toasting your sesame seed buns makes a huge difference. It prevents sogginess and adds that lightly crisp bite that contrasts perfectly with the creamy sauce. Use the same skillet you cooked the burgers in so the buns soak up a little of that beef flavor. Don’t skip the extra bottom bun either — it’s what gives the Big Mac its signature triple-layer structure.
• Chill the sauce to deepen the flavor. The secret Big Mac sauce tastes best after it’s had time to rest. Once mixed, refrigerate it for at least 30 minutes before assembling the burgers. This allows the flavors from the mayonnaise, relish, and dressing to meld together, creating that tangy, creamy consistency identical to the original.
• Layer in the classic Big Mac order. McDonald’s has a precise layering formula — and it’s worth following. Assemble your Big Mac in this order for perfect balance: Bottom bun → sauce → onions → lettuce → cheese → patty → middle bun → sauce → lettuce → second patty → pickles → top bun. It’s not just for looks — this layering distributes flavor and texture evenly in every bite.
• Use shredded iceberg lettuce for crunch. Don’t underestimate the lettuce! Finely shredded iceberg gives your homemade Big Mac that fresh crunch and signature fast-food texture. It’s crisp, mild, and holds up well under the sauce. Avoid romaine or leafy greens — they’ll wilt too fast.
• Rest the burgers before assembling. After cooking, let the patties rest for 2–3 minutes to lock in their juices. This prevents the sauce and toppings from sliding off and keeps the buns from getting soggy.
• Keep everything warm for perfect assembly. Work quickly to assemble your Big Macs while the patties and buns are still warm. If you’re making a few at once, keep cooked patties in a 200°F oven while you toast the buns and prep the toppings.

Big Mac FAQS

What are the 5 main ingredients in a Big Mac?

A classic McDonald’s Big Mac is made with five main components: two all-beef burger patties, the signature Big Mac sauce, shredded lettuce, American cheese, pickles, and onions, all layered on a three-part sesame seed bun. The middle bun (or “club” layer) is what gives the Big Mac its signature stacked look and distinct bite. Each layer works together to balance savory, creamy, and tangy flavors — that’s what makes the Big Mac so iconic.

How do you make a Big Mac burger at home?

Making a homemade Big Mac is surprisingly easy once you know the order and technique. Here’s how to do it: Cook two thin burger patties using ground chuck (80/20 fat ratio) seasoned with salt and pepper. Toast three bun pieces — the top, bottom, and one extra bottom bun to serve as the middle layer. Mix the Big Mac sauce (mayonnaise, relish, and Thousand Island dressing work perfectly). Assemble in this classic order: Bottom bun  → Big Mac sauce → onions → lettuce → cheese → first patty. Middle bun → sauce → lettuce → second patty → pickles → top bun. That layering order is key — it’s what ensures every bite tastes like the real thing. 

What is Big Mac sauce made of?

The Big Mac sauce is a creamy, tangy, and slightly sweet condiment that ties the whole burger together. It’s made primarily with mayonnaise, sweet pickle relish, vinegar, sugar, and a few simple spices like paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder. The combination gives it that signature balance of creamy, zesty, and mildly smoky flavor. For a quick shortcut, you can combine mayonnaise, relish, and Thousand Island dressing — it’ll give you the same classic Big Mac flavor in seconds. You can also check out my homemade Big Mac Sauce recipe for a spot-on copycat version that tastes even better than McDonald’s!

How many layers does a Big Mac have?

A traditional Big Mac burger has three layers of bread and two beef patties — separated by the middle “club” bun. This triple-layer structure is what makes it unique compared to other burgers. It helps hold the sauce and toppings in place, adds height, and creates that signature stacked look that’s instantly recognizable.

Can I make a Big Mac healthier?

Yes! You can make a lighter version of the Big Mac by using lean ground beef or ground turkey, light mayonnaise, and whole-grain buns. You can also air-fry the patties instead of pan-frying them, use reduced-fat cheese, and use lettuce wraps instead of buns. It’ll still have the same flavor but with fewer calories and less grease.

How long does homemade Big Mac sauce last?

If you make the sauce ahead of time, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. The flavors actually improve after a day or two as they meld together, so it’s perfect for prepping in advance for burger night.

My Final Thoughts on This Big Mac Recipe

That's how to make a McDonald's Big Mac! This recipe is easy to whip up, a lot healthier than McDonald's, and each bite is filled with incredible flavors. I just know after one bite, you'll be hooked! I hope you enjoy this McDonald's Big Mac copycat recipe as much as I do. As always, if you give it a try, then be sure to leave a comment below and let us know how it went!

More McDonald's Copycat Recipes To Try

If this McDonald's recipe has you craving more easy copycat recipes, you're in luck because we have a ton more on the blog for you to try next! Check them out:

• McDonald's spicy chicken sandwich
• McDonald's breakfast sauce
• McDonald's snack wraps
• McDonald's egg McMuffin
• McDonald's steak bagel

Oh, and as always, be sure to follow us on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. We post new recipes on them every day.