Special Sauce – Copycat McDonald’s Big Mac Sauce

Special Sauce for Burgers – Copycat McDonald’s Big Mac Sauce

Special Sauce – Copycat McDonald’s Big Mac Sauce. In this episode of Cooking with Milwaukee Community Leaders, host Charlie cooks cheeseburgers and sweet potato fries with Kristopher Pollard, Milwaukee Film’s giving and membership director.

They grill, make a Big Mac–style “special sauce” and a sriracha dipping sauce, and sit down to enjoy the meal.

Between bites, Kristopher talks about his journey to Milwaukee, his work building Milwaukee Film’s membership programs, and the growth and community impact of the Milwaukee Film Festival.

You can also listen to the audio version of this episode here:

Classic Burgers with Sweet Potato Fries –

Here’s the real-deal, at‑home version of McDonald’s Special Sauce (Big Mac Sauce). Prep 5 min      Serves 1 cup

Copycat Big Mac Special Sauce Ingredients

• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 2 tbsp sweet pickle relish
• 1 tbsp yellow mustard
• 1 tsp white vinegar
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp paprika

Copycat Big Mac Special Sauce Instructions

1. Combine mayonnaise, relish, mustard, vinegar, onion powder, garlic powder, and paprika in a bowl.
2. Mix until fully smooth and uniform.
3. Taste and adjust: add a pinch of sugar for sweetness or a splash more vinegar for tang.
4. Refrigerate at least 30 minutes to let flavors meld.

For the Burgers

• Ground Beef, formed into patties
• Montreal Steak Seasoning
• Sesame Seed Hamburger Buns
• Assorted Sliced Cheese – American, Pepper Jack, Swiss
• Famous Dave’s Pickles
• Sliced Onion, Tomato, Avocado, and Lettuce
• Ketchup & Yellow Mustard

Ingredients for Sweet Potatoes

otato Fries

• 2 sweet potatoes
• Olive oil to toss sweet potatoes
• Salt & pepper to taste
• Large bowl to toss

To Make the Sriracha Dipping Sauce

• Equal parts Mayo and Sour Cream
• Sriracha Sauce to taste
• Stir to combine and serve with fries

McDonald’s Big Mac Special Sauce

The Big Mac and its special sauce were created in 1968 by Jim Delligatti, a McDonald’s franchise owner in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He invented the double-decker burger and mixed a tangy, creamy dressing using existing kitchen ingredients to give the burger its famous flavor.

History of the Special Sauce

• 1968: Jim Delligatti introduced the double-decker burger with a custom dressing at his Pittsburgh restaurant.
• 1972: McDonald’s owner Ray Kroc standardized the recipe nationwide to make sure it tasted the same everywhere.
• Modifications: The recipe underwent minor updates over the decades, returning to its classic formulation without artificial preservatives.

What is in the McDonald’s Big Mac Special Sauce

• Base: Mayonnaise
• Tang & Flavor: Sweet pickle relish, yellow or Dijon mustard, and white vinegar
• Spices: Paprika for color, plus onion powder and garlic powder.
• Customers agree that it is distinct from standard Thousand Island dressing because of its specific balance of mustard and vinegar.

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If you like this recipe, Copycat McDonald’s Big Mac Sauce, you will also enjoy trying our other recipes. This is our recipe for Homemade Bolognese Style Pasta.

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