Copycat McDonald’s Big Mac Sauce

This recipe delivers a spot-on copycat of McDonald's iconic Big Mac Sauce. It's a creamy, tangy, and slightly sweet condiment made from common pantry staples like mayonnaise, mustard, relish, and spices. Perfect for burgers, sandwiches, or as a dipping sauce, it's quick to prepare and captures that nostalgic fast-food flavor.

Print Recipe

Course Snack

Cuisine American

Servings 6 people

Calories 1288 kcal

Equipment

1 Mixing Bowl
1 Whisk
1 Measuring Spoons
1 Rubber Spatula (optional, for scraping)
1 Airtight Container for storage

Ingredients

Main

3/4 cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon yellow mustard
2 tablespoons sweet pickle relish
2 teaspoons granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon white wine vinegar
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon onion powder

Instructions

Gather all specified ingredients and necessary kitchen equipment on a clean workspace.
In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine the mayonnaise, yellow mustard, and sweet pickle relish.
Add the granulated sugar, white wine vinegar, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder to the bowl.
Using a whisk, thoroughly combine all ingredients until the sauce is completely smooth and uniform in color. Ensure no lumps remain and all spices are evenly distributed.
Taste the sauce and adjust seasonings if desired; you might prefer a touch more sugar for sweetness or a bit more vinegar for tang.
Transfer the prepared Big Mac Sauce into an airtight container or a jar.
Refrigerate the sauce for a minimum of 30 minutes, or ideally for an hour, to allow the flavors to fully meld and develop.
Serve chilled with your favorite burgers, sandwiches, or as a dipping sauce for fries or nuggets.
Store any leftover sauce in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to one week.

Notes

Achieving the signature Big Mac Sauce flavor hinges on quality ingredients and proper balance. Use a good-quality, full-fat mayonnaise as its base significantly impacts the final product. Ensure all dry spices are fresh for maximum potency. For a truly authentic experience, allow the sauce to rest in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, ideally an hour, before serving. This crucial step allows the flavors to fully meld and deepen, creating a more cohesive and nuanced taste profile. Adjust the sugar and vinegar slightly to your preference for sweetness and tang. For an extra layer of complexity, a very small pinch of cayenne pepper can be added for a subtle warmth without overpowering the classic taste.