Sauces
Big Mac Inspired Special Sauce
A creamy burger sauce with sweet relish and mustard.
Inspired by McDonald's
Prep
5 min
Cook
0 min
Serves
8
Difficulty
Easy
Method
- 1
Add mayonnaise to a medium mixing bowl.
- 2
Stir in the sweet pickle relish until evenly distributed.
- 3
Add the yellow mustard, white vinegar, paprika, onion powder, and garlic powder.
- 4
Whisk everything together until smooth and fully combined.
- 5
Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning if desired.
- 6
Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap or transfer the sauce to an airtight container.
- 7
Refrigerate for at least one hour to allow the flavors to develop.
- 8
Stir again before serving.
- 9
Spread generously on homemade burgers or sandwiches.
- 10
Store any leftovers in the refrigerator for several days.
Recipe notes
Drain very wet relish before mixing so the sauce stays spreadable. The vinegar should brighten the mayonnaise without tasting sharp; let the sauce chill before deciding whether it needs adjustment.
Planning, storage, and serving
Storage and reheating
Refrigerate in an airtight container and use within 5 days. Freezing causes the mayonnaise emulsion to separate; discard sauce left at room temperature for more than 2 hours.
Make-ahead tips
Prepare 1 day ahead so the onion and garlic powders hydrate. Stir before serving and use a clean spoon each time.
What to serve with it
- - Double burgers with lettuce and pickles
- - Oven fries or roasted potatoes
- - Turkey or grilled-vegetable wraps
Equipment needed
- - Small mixing bowl
- - Whisk or flexible spatula
- - Lidded storage jar
Difficulty explained
The sauce is easy to mix, but draining the relish and resting the spices produce a better texture.
Nutrition estimate
Calories
95
Protein
0g
Carbs
3g
Fat
9g
Sat. fat
1.5g
Fiber
0g
Sugar
2g
Sodium
190mg
Estimated nutrition per serving. Values are approximate and can change materially with brands, substitutions, optional toppings, portion size, and cooking method.
Alternatives
- Finely minced dill pickles can replace sweet relish, but add a small pinch of sugar if you want the original sweet-tangy balance.
- For a sharper sauce, add vinegar a few drops at a time; too much will thin the mayonnaise.
- Plain Greek yogurt can replace one-third of the mayonnaise for extra tang, although the sauce will be lighter and less restaurant-like.
Pitfalls to Watch Out For
- Undrained relish can make the sauce run off a hot burger; blot or drain it before measuring.
- Powdered spices taste harsh immediately after mixing, so wait through the chill before correcting the seasoning.
- Spreading on a very wet tomato or excessively greasy patty dilutes the sauce; blot toppings and drain the burger briefly.
Nutrition Context
- Most calories come from mayonnaise, and relish adds sweetness while mustard and seasonings add sodium.
- A tablespoon-sized serving supplies plenty of flavor; adding pickles, lettuce, and onion can build volume without another layer of sauce.
FAQ
Can I use dill relish instead of sweet relish?
Yes, but add a small pinch of sugar because dill relish lacks the sweetness that balances the mustard and vinegar.
Why does the sauce taste sharp right after mixing?
The vinegar, mustard, and dried seasonings need time to mellow. Refrigerating the sauce for at least one hour produces a rounder flavor.
How do I make the sauce thinner for drizzling?
Whisk in pickle brine one teaspoon at a time. It loosens the mayonnaise while reinforcing the relish flavor without making the sauce watery.
Can I make it without mayonnaise?
Plain Greek yogurt can replace some or all of the mayonnaise, but expect a tangier, less rich result. Taste before adding the full vinegar amount.
What is the safest way to store it?
Refrigerate it promptly in a sealed container and avoid dipping used utensils into the batch. Use within several days for the freshest flavor.