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GET IT NOWI Want to Put This Sauce on Everything
My Big Mac sauce is based on the one I’ve been using for Big Mac salad for years, but this time I used honey (specifically, my zero sugar honey) as the sweetener and adjusted the amounts to make a 1/2-cup batch. I originally wanted it for my new Big Mac bowls, but then I remembered why I love this sauce so much (like, on everything). So, it felt very much warranted to publish this Big Mac sauce recipe separately and give you more ways to use it. Here’s why you’ll want to put it on everything, too:
- Flavor just like I remember – It hits all the notes: a little sweet, a little tangy, a little savory, and a whole lot of creamy.
- Just 6 clean ingredients – Have you seen the actual Big Mac sauce ingredients? They won’t tell you the amounts, but they do disclose the list here. It’s got soybean oil, two types of corn syrup, wheat, and a couple things I barely recognize after a decade of reading nutrition labels. My recipe is much cleaner, using only real food. I feel so much better knowing exactly what’s in it.
- Ready in 5 minutes – I’ve timed it, and yes, it really is that fast.
Make this homemade Big Mac sauce with me, and then I’ll explain all the ways I’ve used it!
What Is Big Mac Sauce?
Big Mac sauce is a sweet, creamy, and tangy “secret sauce” from McDonald’s, known for topping their iconic burger. The main flavors come from mayo, pickles, mustard, and paprika. I find it similar to thousand island dressing, but McD’s insists that it’s not quite that because it doesn’t contain ketchup.
Although it’s been years since I’ve eaten there (avoiding processed ingredients and all), I remember the sauce like it was yesterday. I make this copycat Big Mac sauce often, and I think you’ll love it just as much!
Big Mac Sauce Ingredients
Here I explain the best ingredients for my Big Mac sauce recipe, what each one does, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card.
- Mayonnaise – The creamy base that pulls everything together. I’ve made this sauce using my homemade mayo as well as my favorite clean-ingredient brand. Pick your favorite!
- Pickles – I add them for that classic briny flavor. McDonald’s uses sweet pickle relish, but I prefer dill pickles and sweeten the sauce separately.
- Mustard – While I love Dijon in many recipes, I highly recommend yellow mustard for Big Mac sauce. I tried Dijon and it didn’t taste right.
- White Vinegar – This is what McDonald’s ingredient list says, but I also tried apple cider vinegar and it tasted pretty close. Lemon juice would work, too.
- Smoked Paprika – I like the smoky flavor it adds. Feel free to use regular paprika.
- Honey – For a clean touch of sweetness instead of all that corn syrup! I use my Wholesome Yum Zero Sugar Honey. Most of you know I don’t use refined sugar in my recipes, but any sweetener or sugar you like will work.
My Tips For Flavor & Texture
- Don’t have a powerful blender? I have this one and it really makes this Big Mac sauce recipe easy. I use the smaller twister jar with it, pictured below, since a batch only makes 1/2 cup. You can also use a mini food processor, although the texture wasn’t as smooth that way when I tried it.
- If you like some crunchy pieces or want it thicker, stir the sauce by hand. I’ve made it this way before, but found it more time-consuming because it requires mincing the pickles super fine. The blender was so much easier!
- Do you need to add salt? I didn’t because the pickles and mayo I used had enough, but feel free to add some to your taste at the end. It will depend on your preference and the brands of pickles and mayo you use.
- The flavor gets even better in the fridge. I like to let this Big Mac sauce sit for at least an hour, so the flavors can meld together.
- Want extra flavor? I prefer to keep it simple, but sometimes I add a dash of onion powder or garlic powder.
Big Mac Sauce
Make my homemade Big Mac sauce recipe with just 6 ingredients! It's creamy, tangy, a little sweet, and super easy to make in minutes.
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Instructions
Tap on the times in the instructions to start a kitchen timer.
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Combine the mayo, pickles, mustard, vinegar, paprika, and honey in a powerful blender.
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Blend until smooth.
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Use right away, or refrigerate to let the flavors develop.
LAST STEP: Leave a rating to help other readers, or tag me @wholesomeyum on Instagram. I’d love to hear from you!
Maya’s Recipe Notes
Serving size: 2 tablespoons
- Tips: Check out my recipe tips above to help you get the best flavor and texture in your copycat Big Mac sauce, plus alternatives if you don’t have a powerful blender.
- Storage: Keep the sauce in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week. I store it in these jars, pictured on this page.
- Note on nutrition info: I calculated with my Wholesome Yum Zero Sugar Honey. Regular works fine, but sugar will be higher.
I provide nutrition facts as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see my nutrition policy.
Add Your Notes Your Notes
© Copyright Maya Krampf for Wholesome Yum. Please DO NOT SCREENSHOT OR COPY/PASTE recipes to social media or websites. We’d LOVE for you to share a link with photo instead.
Ways I Use It
I’ve used this Big Mac sauce in many different ways, some obvious and some not so much. Try it with:
- Burgers – The classic option! This stuff is amazing on my favorite burgers or even smash burgers. Layer them on your favorite buns with lettuce, pickles, onions, cheese, and homemade Big Mac sauce. It works with lighter lettuce wraps, too.
- Fries & Chicken – I usually dip my air fryer French fries or garlic parmesan fries in ranch, but they’re surprisingly tasty dunked into this special sauce. I’ve even enjoyed it with chicken tenders. It’s creamy, tangy, and way more fun than ketchup.
- Salad & Bowls – Like I said before, this sauce makes a mean salad dressing for my Big Mac salad, but recently made it for my Big Mac bowl, pictured above. You could also drizzle it over my other cheeseburger bowl.
- Casseroles – I drizzle it over my Big Mac casserole for that classic flavor with a little extra zing.
Big Mac Sauce
6 Comments
Maria Micallef Lia
0Fantastic recipe. I always wanted to come across this particular recipe as I don’t find it locally. The best thing is that this is home made.
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0I’m so happy you liked it, Maria! Enjoy!
Pam
0To add extra taste and moisture, love it.
Wholesome Yum D
0Thanks, Pam! I love that you found a way to boost both the taste and the moisture, sounds delicious.
kfloydpr
0This is SO good! Perfect knockoff of the Big Mac sauce!
Wholesome Yum D
0I’m so happy you loved it! Isn’t it wild how close it tastes to the real thing? So glad it hit the spot!