McDonald's Special Sauce (Homemade Big Mac Sauce)

Ingredients

• 1 cup Mayonnaise (Regular full‑fat mayo works best)
• 0.25 cup Sweet pickle relish (Make sure it is sweet, not dill relish)
• 2 tablespoon Prepared yellow mustard (Classic American yellow mustard)
• 1 tablespoon Distilled white vinegar (Adds tanginess)
• 0.5 teaspoon Smoked paprika (Provides a subtle smoky note)
• 0.25 teaspoon Granulated garlic (garlic powder) (Powdered garlic for even flavor)
• 0.25 teaspoon Granulated onion (onion powder) (Powdered onion for smooth texture)

Instructions

1. Gather and measure all ingredients

   Set out a cup of mayonnaise, ¼ cup sweet pickle relish, 2 Tbsp yellow mustard, 1 Tbsp white vinegar, ½ tsp smoked paprika, ¼ tsp garlic powder and ¼ tsp onion powder. Measure each with the appropriate cup or spoon.

   Time: PT2M

2. Combine the base ingredients

   In the mixing bowl, add the mayonnaise, sweet pickle relish, yellow mustard and white vinegar. Stir with the whisk until the mixture is uniform.

   Time: PT2M

3. Add the dry spices

   Sprinkle the smoked paprika, garlic powder and onion powder over the mixture. Fold them in gently.

   Time: PT1M

4. Mix to a smooth sauce

   Whisk the entire mixture for about 30‑45 seconds until the sauce is completely smooth and the spices are fully incorporated.

   Time: PT1M

5. Store and chill

   Transfer the sauce to an airtight container. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before using to let the flavors meld.

   Time: PT0M

Nutrition Facts

Calories

90

Protein

0.5 g

Carbohydrates

2 g

Fat

9 g

Fiber

0 g

Ingredient Substitutions

• Instead of Mayonnaise: Vegan mayo, Greek yogurt
• Instead of Sweet pickle relish: Finely chopped sweet pickles, Store‑bought sweet relish
• Instead of Prepared yellow mustard: Dijon mustard (different flavor), Honey mustard
• Instead of Distilled white vinegar: Apple cider vinegar, Lemon juice
• Instead of Smoked paprika: Regular paprika, Chipotle powder (use less)
• Instead of Granulated garlic (garlic powder): Fresh minced garlic (use 1/2 tsp), Garlic salt (reduce salt)
• Instead of Granulated onion (onion powder): Dried onion flakes, Fresh grated onion (squeeze moisture)

Equipment Needed

• Mixing bowl
• Measuring cups
• Measuring spoons
• Whisk or spoon
• Airtight container (optional)

Critical Steps — Do Not Skip

• Accurately measuring the sweet pickle relish (must be sweet, not dill).
• Mixing the base ingredients until fully combined.
• Incorporating the dry spices evenly to avoid lumps.
• Achieving a completely smooth texture before refrigeration.

Chef Tips from the Video

• For a richer flavor, use a high‑quality mayo such as Hellmann’s or a homemade mayo.
• A pinch of smoked salt can enhance the smoky note without adding extra sodium.

Troubleshooting

Storage

Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for up to 1 week.

Freezer: Freezing is not recommended; texture may change, but can be frozen up to 1 month if needed.

Room temperature: Do not keep at room temperature for more than 2 hours; always refrigerate after opening.

Make-Ahead Tips

• Make the sauce up to 7 days in advance; keep sealed and refrigerated.
• If the sauce looks slightly separated after chilling, give it a quick stir before serving.