Description
This homemade Big Mac Sauce is a game-changer — creamy, tangy, smoky, and totally irresistible! Paired with juicy, cheesy double-decker beef patties, shredded lettuce, pickles, and sesame buns, it’s a fast-food favorite made even better at home. Every bite brings that nostalgic flavor with an upgraded, homemade feel!
Ingredients
For the Big Mac Sauce:
¾ cup mayonnaise
3 tablespoons ketchup
3 tablespoons pickle relish (dill or sweet)
2 teaspoons extra relish juice (for more tang!)
1 tablespoon minced onion
1 tablespoon yellow mustard
1 teaspoon granulated sugar (optional, depending on relish)
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon onion powder
For 4 Big Macs:
2 pounds ground beef
4 sesame seed hamburger buns (plus 4 bottom buns if you want that center bun magic)
Big Mac sauce (see above!)
8 slices American cheese
1 cup shredded iceberg lettuce
4 tablespoons minced white onion
12+ dill pickle slices
2 tablespoons butter
Salt, pepper, and onion powder
Instructions
Step 1: Make the Sauce
In a medium mixing bowl or large measuring cup, whisk together the mayo, ketchup, relish, relish juice, onion, mustard, sugar (if using), paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder. Stir until it’s smooth and everything is well incorporated.
Cover and chill it. The flavors get even better as they meld in the fridge for at least 30 minutes. But if you’re in a rush? It’s still phenomenal right out of the bowl.
Step 2: Prep the Patties
Divide your ground beef into 8 very thin patties — you want them wider than your buns because they’ll shrink a bit while cooking. Sprinkle each side with salt, pepper, and a little onion powder.
Step 3: Sizzle Time
Heat a large skillet (or two, for efficiency!) over medium-high heat. Melt 1 tablespoon of butter, then sear 4 patties. Press them flat with a wide spatula and cook 2–3 minutes per side.
Just before they’re done, top each with a slice of American cheese and let it melt. That gooey cheese moment? Unreal.
Repeat with the remaining patties and butter.
Step 4: Build Your Big Macs
Split your sesame buns and toast lightly if you’d like. Smear a generous amount of your Big Mac sauce on both the top and bottom buns.
Now, layer like a pro:
Bottom bun
Sauce
Shredded lettuce
A cheesy patty
Pickles
Optional middle bun
More sauce
Lettuce and onion
Second cheesy patty
Top bun
Bite in. Try not to cry. (Tears of joy, obviously.)
Notes
Chill the sauce — even 30 minutes makes it better, but overnight? Heaven.
Thin patties make all the difference! Wider than the buns is the trick.
Smoked paprika is the secret spice that elevates the sauce flavor.
Use dill relish for tang, or sweet relish for that classic fast-food flavor.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Big Mac
- Calories: 620
- Protein: 45g
- Cholesterol: 145mg