This Big Mac Sauce Recipe is a homemade copycat of the iconic McDonald’s sauce. Made from simple pantry ingredients, it’s creamy, tangy, and full of pickle and onion flavor—perfect for burgers, chicken nuggets, fries, or even as a salad dressing.
Great toppings can elevate any burger or sandwich, and this Big Mac-style sauce does just that. It balances creamy mayonnaise with tangy vinegar and mustard, plus the crunch and brightness of pickle relish and onion. Make it ahead and toast your buns, spread the sauce generously, add the patty and your favorite toppings for an instant upgrade.
Ingredients
- ¾ cup mayonnaise
- 3 tablespoons dill pickle relish (use sweet relish if you prefer sweeter)
- 2 tablespoons minced onion (see note)
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
How to make Big Mac Sauce from scratch
- Measure all ingredients.
- In a bowl, mix the mayonnaise, relish, ketchup, mustard, and apple cider vinegar until combined.
- Add the minced onion, sugar, paprika, garlic powder, and salt; stir until evenly incorporated.
- Cover and chill the sauce for at least 1 hour to let the flavors meld. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed before serving.
How to serve Big Mac sauce
Use this sauce as a burger or sandwich spread, a dip for fries, onion rings, or chicken nuggets, or drizzle it over a cheeseburger salad. It adds creaminess and a tangy, slightly sweet pickle note to many dishes.
Storing
Store the sauce in a sealed container in the refrigerator. It keeps well for up to one week.
Notes
- For texture, grate the onion on the large holes of a box grater or finely mince it. If you prefer a smoother sauce, pulse briefly in a food processor.
- Switch relish type to adjust sweetness: dill for tang, sweet relish for more sweetness.
- Nutrition values vary based on specific brands and quantities used; the listed calories and nutrients are estimates.
Recipe at a glance
- Prep time: 10 minutes
- Chill time: 1 hour
- Total time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Servings: about 10 (depending on portion size)
- Calories (approx.): 126 kcal per serving
Ingredients (detailed)
- ¾ cup mayonnaise
- 3 tablespoons pickle relish (dill recommended)
- 2 tablespoons minced onion
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions (step-by-step)
- Combine the mayonnaise, pickle relish, ketchup, mustard, and apple cider vinegar in a bowl. Stir until smooth.
- Add the minced onion, sugar, paprika, garlic powder, and salt. Mix well to distribute the spices.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow flavors to develop.
- Serve as a spread for burgers or sandwiches, or use as a dipping sauce.
More homemade condiments
- Homemade Ketchup
- Chick-fil-A-style Sauce (copycat)
- Fry Sauce
- Yum Yum Sauce
If you make this sauce, share a photo on Instagram and tag @crunchycreamysweet so the creator can see it!