McDonald's Big Mac Sauce Dip Cups Copycat Recipe (I Tried It)
For the first time ever, McDonald's is selling Big Mac Sauce separately via the app and I immediately ordered a cup! The iconic sauce — Thousand Island-style with pickles and onions — is now available to dip your fries, nuggets, or anything else. It's literally the same sauce from the Big Mac in a convenient dip cup. Game changer for sauce lovers.
Ingredients
Main ingredients
- mayonnaise 1 cup
- sweet pickle relish 3 tbsp
- yellow mustard 2 tsp
- white onion, finely minced 2 tbsp
- white vinegar 1 tsp
Seasonings/Sauce
- paprika 1 tsp
- garlic powder 1 tsp
- onion powder 1 tsp
- sugar 1 tsp
- salt 0.5 tsp
Nutrition summary
Carbohydrates
2 g
9%
Protein
0 g
0%
Fat
9 g
91%
Cooking steps
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1
In a medium bowl, combine 1 cup mayonnaise, 3 tbsp sweet pickle relish, 2 tsp yellow mustard, and 2 tbsp finely minced white onion. Blend well until the mixture is creamy and smooth—this creates the tangy, creamy foundation just like McDonald's signature Big Mac Sauce.
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2
Add 1 tsp white vinegar, 1 tsp paprika, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, 1 tsp sugar, and 0.5 tsp salt to the bowl. Stir thoroughly to fully incorporate all seasonings. The paprika gives the classic faint orange tint and subtle warmth found in McDonald's original sauce.
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3
Mix the sauce vigorously for at least 60 seconds to emulsify the ingredients—this step builds that thick, almost spoonable consistency unique to McDonald's dip cups.
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4
Cover the bowl and refrigerate the sauce for at least 2 hours. This chilling phase lets the flavors marry and mellows the raw onion, ensuring the Big Mac Sauce’s signature tang and extra-creamy texture.
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5
After chilling, stir the sauce again and portion about 2 tbsp (28g) into individual small sauce cups—just like the official McDonald's Big Mac Sauce Dip Cups. Serve cold as a dip for fries, nuggets, or use on burgers. Copycat tip: For extra authenticity, use sweet pickle relish with lots of visible pieces, as McDonald's uses diced pickles in their sauce.
Personalized Q&A
Q. Does this actually taste like McDonald's Big Mac Sauce Dip Cups?
Yes! This recipe captures the iconic McDonald's Big Mac Sauce flavor by using the same core mix of mayonnaise, sweet pickle relish, yellow mustard, white vinegar, and signature seasonings like paprika and onion powder. The technique of thoroughly blending and chilling creates the thick, tangy, creamy dip that matches the dipping cups you get at McDonald's.
Q. My sauce turned runny or separated—what did I do wrong?
For the thick consistency just like McDonald's, be sure to blend vigorously for at least a minute so the mayonnaise properly emulsifies the ingredients. Don't skip the chilling step: letting the sauce rest for 2 hours helps all the components bind and develop both flavor and thickness.
Q. Can I substitute dill relish or Miracle Whip instead of sweet pickle relish or mayo?
For the truest McDonald's flavor, use classic sweet pickle relish and a real mayonnaise. Dill relish will make the sauce more tart, while Miracle Whip will give it a sweeter, tangier profile that doesn’t quite match McDonald's. Sticking with the listed ingredients provides the most authentic results.
Q. How many calories and macros per serving?
Each 2-tbsp (28g) serving clocks in at about 90 calories, with 2g carbs (9% of calories), 0g protein, and 9g fat (91% of calories)—right in line with McDonald's creamy, high-fat Big Mac Sauce Dip Cups.
Q. How can I store or make this sauce ahead?
You can make the sauce up to 5 days in advance and keep it in an airtight container in the fridge. Stir before portioning into cups for serving. For the freshest flavor and thickest texture, avoid freezing.
