Former McDonald's Chef Reveals How To Recreate Big Mac Sauce at Home

Chef Mike Haracz, a former executive chef at McDonald's, has been making waves on TikTok for sharing insider secrets from his time at the fast-food giant. One of his most popular videos include a recipe for the chain's iconic Big Mac sauce. 

To the surprise of many fans, the sauce is actually pretty easy to replicate at home (no secret ingredients needed). The main takeaway? It does not include any ketchup, Haracz reveals, and the well-known orange/reddish tinge comes from adding paprika. He also suggests letting the mixture sit for half an hour before trying it to let all the flavors meld together. 

"This is as close as you are going to get," he says as he combines the ingredients and whisks it all together in a clear bowl. He then holds it up to the camera and, sure enough, it looks just like the real thing. 

Fans responded with equal parts awe and excitement, with one commenting, "You sir are a hero!!," while another adds, "I love you!!! I've needed this sauce in my life for soooo long!" 

While most comments were positive, a few fans pointed out that one of the ingredients, Dusseldorf mustard, might be hard to find at their local supermarkets. "Let me just grab my Dusseldorf mustard out the fridge, it's always on hand," one user writes sarcastically, while another asks, "What mustard should I use if I can't find Dusseldorf mustard? To which Haracz replied, "Use Dijon." 

And don't worry, we've included a full recipe below. 

If you're thinking about recreating the fast-food sauce at home, here's a complete recipe inspired by Haracz's. Aiming to mimic the tangy and zesty flavors of McDonald's famous Big Mac sauce, this creamy and delicious concoction can be used on burgers, sandwiches, or as a dipping sauce for fries and even sliced veggies: 

Copycat Big Mac Sauce Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of mayonnaise
• 1/4 cup of sweet pickle relish
• 2 tablespoons of Dusseldorf mustard (you can substitute with Dijon or another mild mustard)
• 1 teaspoon of white wine vinegar
• 1 and 1/4 teaspoons of paprika (for color and a bit of smoky flavor)
• 1 teaspoon of onion powder
• 1 teaspoon of granulated garlic
• 1/8 teaspoon of white pepper (for a subtle, sharp taste)

Instructions:

1. Combine Ingredients: In a medium mixing bowl, add the mayonnaise, sweet pickle relish, Dusseldorf mustard, and white wine vinegar. Stir these ingredients until they are well combined.
2. Add Spices: Add the paprika, onion powder, granulated garlic, and white pepper to the bowl. These spices will provide the distinct flavors that bring it closer to the Big Mac sauce.
3. Mix Well: Stir all the ingredients together thoroughly to ensure an even distribution of flavors. The sauce should have a smooth, consistent texture and a slightly orange-pink color from the paprika.
4. Let It Rest: Allow the sauce to sit for at least 30 minutes before using. This resting period lets the flavors meld together, enhancing the overall taste of the sauce.
5. Serve or Store: Use the sauce immediately on your burgers or sandwiches, or store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.

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Other Tips to Keep in Mind:

• Adjust to Taste: Feel free to tweak the amounts of spices to suit different taste preferences or dietary restrictions. Some may prefer more or less of certain ingredients.
• No Ketchup: As Haracz points out, there's no ketchup in this version of the sauce, which is true to the original Big Mac sauce's recipe. 
• Serving Suggestions: Use this sauce on homemade burgers, in wraps, or as a dipping sauce for fries and other snacks.

Related: I Ranked 8 McDonald’s Dipping Sauces — Including 2 Brand New Ones