C’mon! Sing it with me: “Two all-beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions on a sesame seed bun.”
That’s the classic McDonald’s Big Mac! But back up for a second… “special sauce”? What does that mean? Let’s take a closer look at the Big Mac sauce recipe to find out how to make it at home.
What’s in the Big Mac Sauce Recipe?
Not surprisingly, many people assume it’s an off-the-shelf salad dressing since the pinkish-orange color and creamy texture bear a strong resemblance to Thousand Island dressing. But even Thousand Island is hard to pin down, since there are dozens of variations, including some with chopped olives and hard-cooked eggs.
Though Big Mac Sauce and Thousand Island dressing have ingredients in common, McDonald’s sauce is their own, unique balance of sweet and savory ingredients. The sweetness comes from ketchup and sweet pickle relish; the savory from yellow mustard, fresh onion and a little vinegar. The ingredients are blended with mayonnaise to create a creamy, piquant sauce that is really delicious on burgers.
How to Make Big Mac Special Sauce
Nancy Mock for Taste of Home
This recipe makes about a half-cup of sauce.
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup real mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon + 2 teaspoons ketchup
- 1 tablespoon finely diced yellow onion
- 1 tablespoon sweet pickle relish
- 2 teaspoons yellow mustard
- 1/4 teaspoon white vinegar
- Tiny pinch cayenne pepper
Instructions
Step 1: Mix the first three ingredients
Stir the mayonnaise, ketchup and diced onion together in a small bowl.
Step 2: Add the pickle relish
Squeeze the excess liquid from the sweet pickle relish, then add the relish to the bowl.
Step 3: Stir
Nancy Mock for Taste of Home
Next, add the remaining ingredients and stir everything well to make a creamy sauce.
Use the sauce immediately or refrigerate it to let the flavors deepen. Store your Big Mac sauce covered in the refrigerator for up to one week. Learn how to make a copycat of McDonald’s sweet and sour sauce at home.
How to Use Big Mac Sauce
Nancy Mock for Taste of Home
Of course, you know that it’s outstanding to top hot-off-the-grill burgers. Use it in your burgers, too: Fold a spoonful of this special sauce into your beef or turkey burger mix before you shape the patties.
This sauce is also delicious drizzled over a fresh wedge salad. (You can add a few more drops of vinegar to thin the sauce, if necessary.) Try it as a spread on sandwiches too, like a turkey club or a Reuben with pastrami and rye. At my house, we use the special sauce as an awesome as a dip for french fries!
Another great way to use this Big Mac sauce is in homemade meat loaf, to add moisture and sweet-savory flavor. Just add a quarter-cup to your standard meatloaf mixture in place of the eggs.
Build Your Own Big Mac
Nancy Mock for Taste of Home
Feeling really hungry? To make a towering, 12-layer Big Mac-style sandwich at home, here is the order for the ingredients, top to bottom:
- Sesame seed bun
- Hamburger
- Pickles
- Shredded lettuce
- Diced onion
- Big Mac sauce
- Bun
- Burger
- American cheese
- Shredded lettuce
- Big Mac Sauce
- Bun
Don't Miss All Our McDonald's Copycats!
Inspired By: McDonald's Cheeseburger
A favorite on
McDonald's dollar menu, these copycat burgers are a blend of ground beef and breadcrumbs. You can cook them on the stovetop on a grill pan or a standard skillet. I like to top these burgers with cheese, lettuce, pickles, onions, ketchup and mustard. —Mike Goldman, Arden Hills, Minnesota
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Nancy Mock for Taste of Home
Inspired By: McDonald's Special Sauce
We cracked the code on one of McDonald's best-kept secrets; the Big Mac sauce! Perfect for topping on burgers, or dipping your fries and nuggets in, this McDonald's copycat recipe is one you'll want to keep on hand. —
Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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Inspired By: Chicken McNuggetsI like to make these golden chicken nuggets because they’re so quick and easy. My whole family loves them. The seasoning can also be used on chicken breast halves to make amazing sandwiches. —Annette Ellyson, Carolina, West Virginia
Inspired By: McDonald's French FriesIt's a
fact that McDonald's fries are one of their best-selling items, so we've created an even tastier way to eat their fries! The addition of Parmesan and garlic is optional, but they make this side dish simply irresistible. —
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Inspired By: Egg McMuffinOn a busy morning, this McDonald's copycat recipe save the day. A hearty combo of eggs, Canadian bacon and cheese will keep you fueled through lunchtime and beyond. —Christine Rukavena,
Taste of Home Senior Editor
NANCY MOCK FOR TASTE OF HOME
When this colorful dessert appears on the McDonald’s menu, you know St. Patrick’s Day is right around the corner. Make your own all year round with this McDonald's copycat recipe. —Nancy Mock, Colchester, Vermont
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The sauces of all sauces to go with a crispy McNugget, this sweet-and-sour sauce recipe tastes just like the franchise's. If you like your sauces spicy, some crushed red pepper flakes give this sauce a little added kick. —
Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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Inspired By: Quarter Pounder with CheeseThis McDonald's copycat recipe is a terrific taste of summer served with tall glasses of lemonade or cola. —Jesse & Anne Foust, Bluefield, West Virginia
Inspired By: Bacon, Egg & Cheese BiscuitI turned classic breakfast sandwiches into something heartier that you could even enjoy for dinner. We pile toppings like salsa and avocado—mayo and ketchup, too—on the homemade biscuits. —Fay Moreland, Wichita Falls, Texas
Inspired By: Honey Mustard SauceThis fast, easy mustard with rice vinegar and honey has more flavor than any other honey mustard dressing I've ever tried. —Sharon Rehm, New Blaine, Arkansas
Inspire By: McChickenAfter trying all the major fast-food chains' chicken sandwiches, I decided to come up with my own McDonald's copycat recipe. I know everyone says theirs is better than the original, but mine really is. —Ralph Jones, San Diego, California
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Inspired By: Chicken SelectsI recently made this recipe of Mom's for my in-laws and they told me it was the "best fried chicken ever." Slicing the chicken breasts into strips cuts down on cooking time and ensures every piece is crunchy and evenly coated. Serve the homemade chicken tenders with your favorite dipping sauce. —Genny Monchamp, Redding, California
Inspired By: Tangy Barbecue SauceI've never cared that much for store bought barbecue sauce. I just like to make things myself from scratch including this spicy, deep red-brown sauce. You'll find it clings well when you slather it on grilled meat. —Helena Georgette Mann, Sacramento, California
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Skip those morning drive-thru stops with this McDonald's copycat iced coffee recipe. Made with only four ingredients, your morning drink necessity can even been made ahead of time so it's ready to go when you are. —
Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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Inspired By: Cinnamon MeltsA slow cooker turns day-old cinnamon rolls into a comforting, old-fashioned dessert. It tastes wonderful topped with lemon or vanilla sauce or whipped cream. —Edna Hoffman, Hebron, Indiana
Inspired By: McRibPerfect for a weekday dinner or cozy weekend meal, this McDonald's copycat recipe makes fall-off-the-bone tender meat with delicious flavor. —Margaret Luchsinger, Jupiter, Florida
Inspired By: Fruit & Maple OatmealI tasted muesli on a trip to Switzerland, and when I came home, I made it my way. Keep things interesting (and avoid midmorning munchies) by adding different fruits and nuts every day. —Maddie Kirk, Springfield, Pennsylvania
Inspired By: Filet-O-FishThe seasoned breading of this hearty sandwich turns mild-flavored cod or halibut into a taste sensation, and the creamy sauce just keeps it going! —Mildred Caruso, Brighton, Tennessee
Inspired By: Tartar SauceYou'll never buy the jarred stuff again once you've tried this homemade tartar sauce recipe! —Michelle Stromko, Darlington, Maryland
Inspired By: Spicy Chicken McNuggetsWe devour these spicy chicken nuggets at least once a week. If you want to tone down the heat, skip the chipotle pepper. —Cheryl Cook, Palmyra, Virginia
Inspired By: Sausage BurritoThis is a great kid-friendly recipe that takes only 20 minutes to prepare and cook. —Sharon Haswell, Cheshire, Massachusetts
Inspired By: Sweet BBQ Bacon BurgerEvery family has a burger of choice, and this McDonald's copycat recipe is ours. It's stacked tall with bacon and crunchy onion rings. —Paula Homer, Nampa, Idaho
Inspired By: Fruit 'N Yogurt ParfaitThe best time for this dessert is midsummer, when the blueberries are thick in our northern woods. Red raspberries can be added to the mixed berries, too, to brighten the patriotic colors. —Anne Theriault, Wellesley, Massachusetts
Inspired By: Fish McBitesMy husband and I love fried fish, but we're both trying to cut back on dietary fat. I came up with this oven-baked version. He likes it as much as deep-fried fish, so I know it's a winner. —LaDonna Reed, Ponca City, Oklahoma
Nancy Mock for Taste of Home
Enjoy the flavors of Christmas all-year-round with this McDonald's Eggnog Shake recipe. Simply add eggnog, vanilla ice cream, rum extract and nutmeg to a blender and blend it all together for that perfect milkshake. Don't forget the cherry on top! —
Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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