Easy Lighter Big Mac Sauce McDonald’s Copycat Recipe

This homemade Big Mac sauce recipe is the best-tasting, lighter version of McDonald’s special sauce. It’s made with Greek yogurt, avocado oil, mustard, maple syrup, apple cider vinegar, and seasonings. It’s the perfect condiment, dipping sauce, or dressing for cheeseburgers, french fries, burger bowls, and salads.

ByNicole Bonilla
Gluten-Free diet-friendly recipe
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A jar of healthy big mac sauce.

This homemade Big Mac sauce recipe brings all the flavor of the iconic burger sauce, but with a few simple, wholesome ingredients. Inspired by McDonald’s special sauce, it’s perfect for adding that signature taste to burgers, burger bowls, or even as a dipping sauce for fries. Made with Greek yogurt, avocado oil, mustard, maple syrup, apple cider vinegar, and seasonings, it offers a fresher, more balanced take on the classic without the extra sugar.

This recipe is all about giving you the same satisfaction of fast-food flavors but made in your kitchen with ingredients you can feel good about. Whether you’re craving a burger or looking for a quick dip, this versatile sauce comes together easily and adds a delicious, homemade touch to your meal. It’s a staple in my kitchen, and once you try it, you’ll see why it’s the perfect go-to sauce for elevating everyday dishes.

It also tastes incredible with my Big Mac Nachos and Big Mac Smashburger Tacos.

What makes this easy Big Mac sauce recipe a great option?

This Big Mac sauce is a lighter take on the original with a few simple swaps. It replaces mayo with Greek yogurt for a creamy texture, uses avocado oil, and is naturally sweetened with maple syrup. By making it at home, you can skip the artificial ingredients often found in store-bought versions, giving you more control over what goes into your food.

YouTube video

Why You’ll Love This copycat Big Mac sauce Recipe

  • Creamy and flavorful: Greek yogurt, avocado oil, and seasonings combine for a rich, satisfying sauce.
  • Easy to make: Whip up this Big Mac sauce in minutes with simple ingredients from your pantry.
  • Versatile: Perfect for burgers, burger bowls, fries, or as a dipping sauce for onion rings.
  • No artificial ingredients: Homemade means you control what goes into the sauce, no extras needed.
A jar of healthy big mac sauce.

Ingredients & Substitutions

Here is everything you need to make healthy big mac sauce:

Greek Yogurt: You can also use mayo, whipped cottage cheese, or sour cream.

Mustard Powder: Yellow mustard in a jar will also work instead.

Pure Maple Syrup: You can also use honey, agave nectar, or granulated sugar.

Apple Cider Vinegar: White vinegar can also be used.

Onion Powder: You can omit this or replace it with very finely diced white onion or red onions.

Paprika: You can omit this or replace it with another spice.

Garlic Powder: You can also use a small amount of minced garlic instead.

Plate of big mac nachos with big mac sauce.

How to Make My Homemade Big Mac Sauce Recipe

Here are easy, detailed, step-by-step instructions for making my easy copycat big mac sauce recipe. The instructions are also repeated in the recipe card at the bottom of this blog post.

Step 1: Make the Big Mac Sauce

In a small bowl, combine the 1/2 cup greek yogurt, 2 tbsp avocado oil, 1 tsp mustard powder, 2 tsp maple syrup, 1 tsp apple cider vinegar, 1/2 tsp onion powder, 1/2 tsp paprika, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1/4 tsp salt and dash of pepper and whisk until well combined. You can also mix it together in a food processor or blender.

That’s it! There’s only one step 🙂

Adding garlic powder to the big mac sauce.
Mixing the big mac sauce.
The easiest recipe for healthy & juicy gluten-free Big Mac tacos w/ smash burgers, cheese, corn tortillas, pickles, lettuce, & Big Mac sauce

Delicious Secret Sauce Serving Suggestions

Classic Combo: Drizzle your healthy Big Mac sauce over lean beef patties and serve with crispy French fries for a nostalgic treat. Don’t forget the dill pickle relish for an extra tangy kick!

Burger Bowl: Create a deconstructed Big Mac by layering lean beef patties, cheddar cheese, iceberg lettuce, dill pickles, and a drizzle of Big Mac sauce in a bowl. Perfect for a low-carb option!

Big Mac Salad: Toss together iceberg lettuce, lean beef patties, cheddar cheese, dill pickles, and a generous amount of Big Mac sauce for a satisfying big mac salad recipe. This makes a great lunch or dinner.

Big Mac Casserole: For a hearty meal, layer lean beef patties, cheddar cheese, dill pickle relish, and sauce in a baking dish to create a delicious big mac casserole. Serve with a side of sweet potato fries.

Sesame Seed Bun: Spread a generous amount of Big Mac sauce on a sesame seed bun, add a lean beef patty, cheddar cheese, dill pickles, and iceberg lettuce for a healthier twist on the classic burger.

Onion Rings: Use it as a dipping sauce for crispy onion rings. The tangy flavors complement the crunch perfectly.

Burger Patty Topper: Top your veggie burgers with a dollop of Big Mac sauce, dill pickle relish, and a slice of cheddar cheese for a vegetarian take on the classic Big Mac.

Salad Dressing: Use the sauce as a unique salad dressing. It pairs wonderfully with salads that include iceberg lettuce, lean beef patties, cheddar cheese, and dill pickles.

Big Mac Salad Bowls: Fill a bowl with iceberg lettuce, lean beef patties, dill pickles, cheddar cheese, and a generous drizzle of Big Mac sauce for a quick and easy big mac salad bowl.

Dipping Sauce: Enjoy it as a dipping sauce for crispy chicken tenders or sweet potato fries. The rich, tangy flavors enhance the taste of these sides.

Big Mac Burger: Create a healthier Big Mac by spreading the sauce on a sesame seed bun, adding lean beef patties, cheddar cheese, iceberg lettuce, dill pickles, and a hint of Worcestershire sauce for extra depth of flavor.

Refrigeration: Store leftover Healthy Big Mac Sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.  Be sure to give it a good shake before using again!

Freezer: This recipe isn’t recommended for freezing due to the presence of yogurt. Freezing can cause the yogurt to separate and become watery, affecting the texture and consistency of the sauce. It’s best to make a fresh batch when you need it, as it’s a quick and easy recipe.

What Greek yogurt should I use in healthy special sauce?

For the best texture, use plain whole milk Greek yogurt. It will be thicker and creamier than non-fat yogurt, resulting in a sauce closer to the original Big Mac sauce.

Can I substitute the avocado oil?

Yes! You can use any neutral-flavored oil you have on hand, such as olive oil or vegetable oil.

I don’t have maple syrup, can I use something else to sweeten the big mac sauce?

Absolutely! Honey or agave nectar would be good substitutes for the maple syrup. Keep in mind that honey has a stronger flavor than maple syrup, so you may want to start with a half teaspoon and add more to taste.

Can I make Big Mac secret sauce ahead of time?
Yes! This sauce will keep well in the refrigerator for up to a week in an airtight container.

What can I use this sauce for besides burgers?

This sauce is delicious on anything you would use McDonald’s Big Mac sauce for! Try it on fries, chicken nuggets, or even as a veggie dip.

How do I make this a keto-friendly big mac sauce?
Replace the Greek yogurt with unsweetened almond milk or full-fat coconut milk. Both offer a creamy base without the carbs in yogurt. Replace the maple syrup with keto sweeteners like stevia, erythritol, or monk fruit extract. But keep in mind they won’t add the same depth of flavor as maple syrup.

Can I make this easy recipe vegan?
Yes, swap the Greek yogurt for unsweetened plant-based yogurt. Look for varieties made with cashews, soy, coconut, or almond milk.

Do you love homemade sauces? Check out more of my easy and nutritious sauce recipes:

More Healthy Sauce Recipes

A jar of healthy big mac sauce.

Easy Healthy Big Mac Sauce McDonald’s Copycat Recipe

Gluten-Free diet-friendly recipe
This homemade Big Mac sauce recipe is the best-tasting, healthier version of McDonald's special sauce. It's made with Greek yogurt, avocado oil, mustard, maple syrup, apple cider vinegar, and seasonings. It's the perfect condiment, dipping sauce, or dressing for cheeseburgers, french fries, burger bowls, and salads.
5 from 6 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Servings 6
Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes

Ingredients
  

  • 1/2 cup greek yogurt
  • 2 tablespoons avocado oil
  • 1 teaspoon mustard
  • 2 teaspoons maple syrup
  • 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • dash black pepper

Instructions
 

  • In a small bowl, combine the 1/2 cup greek yogurt, 2 tbsp avocado oil, 1 tsp mustard powder, 2 tsp maple syrup, 1 tsp apple cider vinegar, 1/2 tsp onion powder, 1/2 tsp paprika, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1/4 tsp salt and dash of pepper and whisk until well combined. You can also mix it together in a food processor or blender.

Video

YouTube video

Notes

Sauce Consistency: If you would like the sauce to be thicker you can add more greek yogurt until you reach the desired consistency. You can make the sauce thinner by adding a small amount of milk or more oil.
Seasoning: You can adjust the seasonings and sauce to your taste preference.
Blending: If you add chunkier ingredients like relish or fresh onions, you can mix the sauce in a blender or food processor for a smooth, creamy consistency.

 

Nutrition

Calories: 33kcalCarbohydrates: 2gProtein: 1gFat: 2gSaturated Fat: 0.3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.3gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 1mgSodium: 111mgPotassium: 29mgFiber: 0.1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 83IUVitamin C: 0.05mgCalcium: 15mgIron: 0.1mg
Keyword big mac, cheeseburger, healthy, McDonald’s, special sauce
Did you make this recipe and love it?Please let me know in the comments below how it turned out 🙂
Dietitian Reviewed and Endorsed logo

This recipe has been reviewed by a healthcare professional for its nutritional balance and alignment with healthy eating principles.

13 Comments

  2. This sauce is utterly delicious. I did add a tsp of mayo to add a little more richness. I made turkey burgers with this sauce, lettuce, tomato, pickles, and a slice of gouda cheese. My tummy is very happy!!!

    Reply

  7. I’m so excited to share this recipe with you! It’s a delicious sauce that I have been using on just about everything savory 🙂

    Reply
5 from 6 votes

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