Homemade Big Mac Sauce
Craving that iconic, tangy, creamy burger sauce? This homemade Big Mac sauce recipe is a spot-on copycat that you can whip up in minutes for a fresher, more vibrant flavor than the drive-thru. The secret is a grated onion trick for an ultra-smooth texture.
Equipment
- Medium bowl
- Whisk or spoon
- Airtight container
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup quality mayonnaise Full-fat is recommended for the best texture.
- 2 tablespoons dill pickle relish
- 1 tablespoon finely minced onion For best results, grate a white onion, let sit, then squeeze out excess water.
- 2 tablespoons natural ketchup
- 2 teaspoons yellow mustard
- 1 teaspoon white vinegar
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar Omit if using sweet pickle relish.
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika Use sweet, not smoked, paprika.
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
Instructions
Mix the Sauce
- In a medium bowl, combine the mayonnaise, dill pickle relish, minced onion, ketchup, yellow mustard, white vinegar, sugar, paprika, salt, garlic powder, and onion powder. Stir or whisk until everything is fully blended and the sauce is smooth and a uniform pale pinkish-orange color.
Let the Flavors Meld
- Cover the bowl tightly and refrigerate the sauce for at least 2 hours, or overnight for the best flavor. This allows the dried spices to hydrate and the flavors to marry together.
Before Serving
- Just before serving, give the sauce a good stir to recombine any ingredients and restore its creamy consistency. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
Notes
Mayo Matters: Use a full-fat, quality mayonnaise like Hellmann’s or Duke’s for a rich, creamy sauce that won't turn runny.
Onion Trick: For an ultra-smooth texture without a raw onion crunch, grate a white onion, let it sit for 5 minutes, then squeeze it in a paper towel to remove excess water before adding to the sauce.
Relish Choice: Dill pickle relish provides the classic tangy flavor. If you prefer sweet pickle relish, use it but omit the 1 teaspoon of granulated sugar to prevent the sauce from becoming too sweet.
Keto Version: To make this sauce low-carb, use sugar-free mayonnaise, sugar-free ketchup, and a powdered sugar substitute like erythritol.
Nutrition information is estimated based on common ingredients and serving sizes and may vary.