Sauces & Condiments · 6 min read
Better Than McDonald's Big Mac Sauce Recipe
A creamy, tangy homemade burger sauce made with mayonnaise, pickle relish, mustard and simple seasonings, with an easy ketchup alternative and a keto option.
By Chef Monika Jensen ·
Forget bottled burger sauces! Once you discover how easy it is to make your own Big Mac-style sauce at home, you may never want to go back to the store-bought version.
This creamy, tangy, slightly sweet sauce has everything I love about a classic burger sauce. It's rich, flavorful, and incredibly versatile. Best of all, you can adjust the ingredients to suit your taste.
My homemade version brings together mayonnaise, pickle relish, mustard, and a few simple seasonings to create a delicious sauce that's perfect for burgers, sandwiches, wraps, and dipping.
And here's one of my favorite shortcuts: you can use ketchup instead of paprika and vinegar if you prefer a slightly sweeter, tomato-based flavor.
Whether you're making homemade cheeseburgers or looking for a delicious sauce to elevate your next barbecue, this recipe is worth keeping in your refrigerator.
Why You'll Love This Homemade Big Mac Sauce
- Quick and easy: Just a few minutes of preparation.
- Simple ingredients: Made with everyday refrigerator and pantry staples.
- Customizable: Adjust the sweetness, tanginess, and seasonings.
- Ketchup alternative: An easy option if you don't want to use paprika and vinegar.
- Keto-friendly option: Choose sugar-free relish and ketchup, if using.
- Versatile: Delicious on burgers, chicken sandwiches, lettuce wraps, and more.
Chef Monika's Ketchup Shortcut
One of the things I enjoy most about homemade sauces is that you can make small adjustments to create different flavors.
For this recipe, ketchup is an excellent alternative when you want a little extra sweetness and tomato flavor. Instead of using paprika and vinegar separately, add a tablespoon or two of ketchup. Keep the mayonnaise, relish, mustard, and remaining seasonings the same.
Ketchup adds tomato flavor, sweetness, acidity, and color in one ingredient, giving the sauce a slightly different character, closer to a classic creamy tomato burger dressing. Both versions are delicious, so choose whichever you prefer!
Chef's Tip: Start with 1 tablespoon of ketchup, taste, and add more if needed. You can always add more, but you can't take it out!
How to Make Keto Big Mac Sauce
If you're following a low-carb or ketogenic lifestyle, this sauce is easy to adapt. Choose:
- Full-fat mayonnaise without added sugar.
- Sugar-free or no-sugar-added pickle relish.
- Mustard without added sugar.
- Sugar-free ketchup if using the ketchup variation.
Serve with a lettuce-wrapped burger, grilled chicken, or a low-carb burger bowl. Remember that regular sweet relish and ketchup may contain added sugars, so check the labels when calculating your macros.
Delicious Ways to Use Homemade Burger Sauce
This sauce isn't just for burgers! Try it with:
- Homemade cheeseburgers and smash burgers
- Grilled chicken sandwiches
- Lettuce-wrapped burgers
- Burger bowls with lettuce, ground beef, pickles, and cheese
- French fries or rutabaga fries
- Chicken tenders
- Sandwiches and wraps
It's also delicious as a creamy dressing for a burger-inspired salad.
How to Store Homemade Big Mac Sauce
Transfer the finished sauce to a clean, airtight container and refrigerate promptly. For best quality, use within 3–4 days. Keep refrigerated at 40°F or below, and avoid leaving it out at room temperature for extended periods.
Use clean utensils when serving to help prevent contamination.
This is an independently developed Big Mac-inspired sauce, not an official McDonald's recipe or affiliated product.
Watch the Recipe Video
YouTube Short · Homemade Big Mac-style sauce with Chef Monika Jensen
Recipe card
Homemade Big Mac-Style Sauce
A creamy, tangy burger sauce made with mayonnaise, pickle relish, mustard, paprika, vinegar and seasonings, with a ketchup alternative and a keto option.
- Prep
- 5m
- Chill
- 30m
- Makes
- About 1⅓ cups
- Net carbs
- Pending
Ingredients · Original Sauce
The classic paprika and vinegar version.
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup sweet pickle relish
- 2 tablespoons yellow or Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon white wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- A pinch of freshly ground black pepper
Nutrition per tablespoon · Original Sauce
Nutrition facts for this version are coming soon. They will be calculated once the exact ingredient amounts, brands, yield and serving size are confirmed.
Method
- Combine the Creamy Ingredients. Add the mayonnaise, pickle relish, and mustard to a medium mixing bowl. Stir until well combined.
- Add the Seasonings. Mix in the vinegar, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, and black pepper (or the ketchup, if making the ketchup alternative). Stir thoroughly until the sauce is smooth and evenly blended.
- Adjust to Taste. Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning to your preference. For a tangier sauce, add a small splash of vinegar. For a sweeter version, use the ketchup substitution instead of the paprika and vinegar.
- Refrigerate. Cover and refrigerate for approximately 30 minutes before serving, so the ingredients blend and the flavors develop.
- Serve and Enjoy. Give the sauce a final stir before serving. Spread it generously over your favorite homemade burger or use it as a dipping sauce.
Discover The Balanced Plate
My cookbook, The Balanced Plate: Healthy Recipes with Keto Alternatives, features over 100 delicious recipes with full-color photography, nutritional information, and practical keto substitutions.
My goal is simple: to help you enjoy delicious, homemade food without sacrificing flavor.
Discover more healthy recipes with keto alternatives.
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Frequently asked questions
- Is Big Mac sauce just Thousand Island dressing?
- No. Although the two sauces share a creamy, tangy flavor, they aren't identical. Classic Big Mac-style sauce generally relies on mayonnaise, mustard, relish, vinegar, and seasonings. Thousand Island dressing commonly includes ketchup or another tomato ingredient.
- Can I use ketchup instead of paprika and vinegar?
- Yes! In my homemade variation, you can substitute 1–2 tablespoons of ketchup for the paprika and vinegar. It creates a slightly sweeter, tomato-forward sauce.
- Can I make this sauce without ketchup?
- Absolutely. The paprika-and-vinegar version doesn't require ketchup.
- Can I make Big Mac sauce keto-friendly?
- Yes. Use sugar-free pickle relish and sugar-free ketchup if making the ketchup variation. Check the carbohydrate content of your mayonnaise and mustard as well.
- How long should I refrigerate the sauce before serving?
- I recommend approximately 30 minutes so the flavors have time to develop.
- Can I use this sauce on chicken?
- Definitely! It's delicious on grilled chicken sandwiches, chicken burgers, and crispy chicken tenders.
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Every recipe here also appears in The Balanced Plate: Healthy Recipes with Keto Alternatives, with a nutrition label and a keto alternative for each dish.