Recreate your favourite McDonald's beef burger at home with our Big Mac recipe, including the secret sauce. Now there's no need to line up for your fix of beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles and onions on a sesame seed bun.

What you need to know before you start

This homemade take on a fast food favourite is quick to prepare, and you don’t need any special equipment to recreate it at home. Set aside roughly 30 minutes from start to finish for a no-fuss dinner or a speedy lunch.

Why is this the best McDonald’s dupe for a Big Mac burger and sauce?

Our copycat version of a Big Mac burger with special burger sauce is the closest thing you’ll get to the real thing. The sweet and tangy authentic sauce paired with a juicy double beef patty complete with cheese and pickles is a favourite with our readers. Here’s what some of you had to say about it:

• “This is the closest recipe I’ve found to the real thing.” – Meg
• “Definitely the closest recipe I’ve found to the real Big Mac sauce” – rachlh24
• “Closest Mac sauce recipe I’ve found.” – Clinton Mac

Is Big Mac sauce just Thousand Island dressing?

Not quite. While internet forums and social media might have you believe Big Mac sauce is just a fancier Thousand Island dressing, McDonald’s special burger sauce does not contain tomato sauce, and has a tangier flavour profile.  

What ingredients you’ll need 

Beef mince: Beef forms the basis of this homemade recipe. Mince is a versatile cut that imparts flavour to create a tender, juicy patty. While choosing a lean mince might be healthier, a fattier mince will result in a more juicy and tender burger. 

Extra virgin olive oil: Opt for extra virgin olive oil over other fats to bolster the rich flavours of seared beef while keeping the patty moist and delicious.

Sesame seed burger buns: The bun holds the burger together! Choosing a sesame seed variety mimics the original McDonald’s version while adding a subtle nuttiness.

White onion: The white onions are chopped finely and kept raw in this recipe. It adds a crisp bite to every mouthful while balancing the richness of the beef patty.

Iceberg lettuce: Shredded iceberg lettuce imparts a refreshing burst of flavour and crunch to the burger.

Tasty cheese: Cheese adds a rich creaminess and savouriness to enhance the flavours of our Big Mac recipe. Also known as cheddar, this type of cheese melts well for a deliciously gooey finish.

Dill pickles: Like a traditional McDonald’s Big Mac burger, our version includes thinly sliced dill pickles for lightness, tang and crunch. 

Mayonnaise: Whole egg mayonnaise provides the base for the Big Mac sauce. The creaminess from the mayo also helps to bind the sauce ingredients together.

Gherkin relish: This relish gives the burger sauce its signature tang, with surprise bursts of texture and bite.

White vinegar: Tartness from the white vinegar helps to balance the creamy richness from the mayonnaise in the Big Mac sauce.

White pepper: Unlike black pepper, white pepper imparts subtle earthy heat without the appearance of visual black specks throughout the homemade sauce recipe.

Mild American-style mustard: Mustard adds dimension and zing to the Big Mac sauce while adding a splash of colour.

Onion powder: The use of powder over a whole onion adds a savoury and slightly sweet flavour without the texture to keep the Big Mac sauce smooth and luscious.

Garlic powder: The combination of both onion and garlic powders lends a subtle savouriness without the overpowering notes raw garlic can bring.

Sweet smoked paprika (pimenton): Pimenton or Spanish paprika adds a hint of heat and a sweet smoky flavour as well as a touch of colour to the burger sauce. 

How to make a copycat Big Mac sauce from scratch

One of the most distinct components of a McDonald’s Big Mac is the signature pink-hued burger sauce. It’s easy to prepare and requires pantry staples you may already have. To make it, combine all the sauce ingredients into a bowl and season with fine salt… That’s it! Store it in the fridge to chill until you’re ready to use.

How to store leftover Big Mac sauce

As the burger sauce uses mayonnaise as a main ingredient, any leftovers must be stored in the fridge. Transfer any remaining sauce in an airtight container or jar and store in the fridge for up to one week. 

What to serve with a Big Mac burger

Do you want fries with that? Store-bought oven chips or homemade potato wedges are the ultimate pairing to our Big Mac burger. Other sides you can choose could include grilled corn on the cob, coleslaw, roasted Brussels sprouts or a creamy potato salad. 

Drink pairings for a Big Mac burger with sauce

Spritzes and fizzy cocktails and mocktails are the perfect drinks pairings for a homemade burger. Choose from a Gin fizz, Spiked summer lemonade or a Mango margarita spritz. An ice-cold Diet Coca Cola also goes down a treat. 

If you love our Big Mac burger with sauce recipe, try this 

Burgers don’t have to be restricted to just beef patties. Get creative in the kitchen with some of our favourite handheld fish, chicken and vegetarian burgers: 

• Vibrant chickpea burger
• Salt and vinegar crumbed chicken burger
• Beer-battered fish burgers with tartare iceberg slaw