Big Mac Sauce Recipe

Unlock the secret of the Golden Arches with this authentic Big Mac Sauce Recipe. By combining creamy mayonnaise, sweet pickle relish, and a precise blend of savory spices, you create a tangy condiment that tastes exactly like the real thing. It is the missing link to making your homemade burgers taste legendary.

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Big Mac Sauce Ingredients

1 cup Mayonnaise: Use a high-quality real mayonnaise (like Hellmann’s or Best Foods) for the correct base texture. Avoid sweet salad dressings like Miracle Whip, which will skew the flavor.
1/4 cup Sweet Pickle Relish: This provides the chunky texture and the necessary sweetness. Insider Tip: The recipe specifically suggests “Heinz India” relish if you can find it for the most authentic flavor profile.
2 tbsp Brown Mustard: Adds a deeper, spicier tang than yellow mustard.
1 1/2 tsp White Vinegar: Cuts through the heavy mayo with a sharp acidic zip.
The Spice Blend: 1 tsp onion powder, 1 tsp granulated garlic, and 1 1/4 tsp paprika (for color).
1/4 tsp Ground White Pepper: The secret ingredient that adds a distinct earthy heat different from black pepper.

How To Make Big Mac Sauce

Combine Ingredients: In a medium mixing bowl, dump in the mayonnaise, sweet pickle relish, brown mustard, and white vinegar.
Season: Add the paprika, onion powder, granulated garlic, and ground white pepper.
Whisk: Use a wire whisk to beat the mixture vigorously. Do not just stir it with a spoon; whisking ensures the spices are evenly suspended in the emulsion and the sauce becomes smooth and uniform in color (that signature salmon-pink hue).
Chill to Marinate: Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap. Place it in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour, though overnight is superior. Crucial Step: This resting period allows the dehydrated onion and garlic powders to rehydrate and the flavors to meld into a cohesive sauce.
Serve: Spoon onto burgers, use as a dip for fries, or drizzle over a salad.

Recipe Tips

The White Pepper Difference: Don’t swap white pepper for black pepper if you can help it. White pepper has a fermented, slightly barnyard aroma that is characteristic of “secret sauces” and distinguishes this from standard Thousand Island.
Paprika for Color: Standard sweet paprika is best here. Smoked paprika will make it taste like BBQ sauce, which isn’t the goal for a Big Mac clone.
Relish Texture: If your sweet relish is very liquidy, strain it slightly before measuring. You want the chunks of pickle, not the brine, to prevent a watery sauce.
Resting Time: The sauce will taste harsh immediately after mixing. The vinegar needs time to mellow out in the fridge. Plan ahead!

What To Serve With Big Mac Sauce

Double Cheeseburgers: Obviously, the main event.
French Fries: A superior alternative to ketchup.
Iceberg Wedge Salad: Turn this into a “Big Mac Salad” dressing.
Chicken Nuggets: A tangy, creamy dip for fried chicken.

How To Store Big Mac Sauce

Refrigerate: Store in a sealed mason jar or airtight container in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh for up to 2 weeks.
Stir: If some liquid separates after a few days, just give it a quick stir before serving.
Do Not Freeze: Mayonnaise-based sauces do not freeze well; the emulsion will break.

Big Mac Sauce Nutrition Facts

Calories: 120 kcal
Fat: 12g
Carbohydrates: 4g
Sugar: 3g
Sodium: 180mg

Nutrition information is estimated per 2-tablespoon serving.

FAQs

Is this just Thousand Island dressing?

Close, but not quite. Thousand Island typically uses ketchup (making it sweeter and redder) and sometimes hard-boiled eggs. Big Mac sauce relies on paprika and mustard for color and has a more savory, onion-forward profile.

Can I use fresh onion?

You can, but grated fresh onion will release water and make the sauce runnier, and the flavor will be much sharper. Onion powder provides the consistent, mellow flavor associated with fast food.

Is this gluten-free?

Yes, all the ingredients listed are naturally gluten-free. Just check your soy sauce or Worcestershire sauce labels if you decide to add any secret dashes (though this recipe doesn’t call for them)

Recipe by LuluCourse: Side DishCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy

Servings

servings

Prep time

minutes

Cooking time

hour

Calories

120

kcal

The ultimate copycat “secret sauce” for burgers, featuring a creamy, tangy blend of mayo, relish, and spices.

Ingredients

1 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup sweet pickle relish
2 tbsp brown mustard
1 1/2 tsp white vinegar
1 1/4 tsp paprika
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp granulated garlic
1/4 tsp white pepper

Directions

Combine mayo, relish, mustard, and vinegar in a bowl.
Add paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, and white pepper.
Whisk thoroughly until smooth and pinkish-orange.
Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to develop flavor.
Store in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.

Notes

White pepper is key for the authentic aftertaste.
Do not use smoked paprika.
Resting allows the dried spices to bloom.
“Heinz India” relish is the secret weapon if available.