Healthy Special Sauce Recipe (Copycat Burger Sauce)

Level up your favorite burgers, burger bowls, and french fry dipping with this special sauce recipe! Homemade with recognizable simple ingredients, it is dairy-free and super easy to make. Simply the best burger sauce recipe!

Special Sauce Recipe

A homemade secret sauce will level up any burger patty or sandwich, and I can’t think of a better one than my copycat big mac sauce recipe!

A must on any ground beef burger salad (my favorite way to enjoy a burger).

Use it as a dipping sauce for french fries, onion rings, sweet potato fries, or chicken tenders. Instead of thousand island dressing, use it as a dressing for big mac salad, or even on hot dogs!

Try it on a turkey burger, slathered on beef patties, or any of these healthy burgers.

What makes this a healthy big mac sauce?

The better the ingredients, the better the end result in this famous sauce!

We’re making this healthy big mac sauce using recognizable ingredients you could find at the grocery store for a healthier version.

Lots of sauces (like the original McDonald’s big mac sauce) are filled with not-so-clean options, but everything in here is the real deal!

What you need for this perfect sauce

Scroll down to view the recipe card below for the full ingredient list, nutrition facts, and step-by-step instructions.

• avocado oil mayonnaise
• ketchup
• pickle juice
• coconut aminos
• yellow mustard
• garlic powder
• sea salt
• black pepper

How to make hamburger sauce

1. In a small bowl combine all of the ingredients together. Whisk until fully combined.
2. Store your healthy special sauce in the fridge for up to 1 week in an airtight container.

Can you double this recipe?

Absolutely! Make a double or triple batch of homemade burger sauce and mix it up in a medium bowl. You can easily store the extra sauce in a covered container in the fridge for up to 1 week.

Pro tip: You can also make a big batch and freeze it!

I’d suggest freezing smaller portions of the special sauce and then pulling them out individually to defrost as needed.

I love freezing sauces in silicone molds because they come out really easily. If you’ve ever had sauce stuck in a plastic ice cube tray, you’ll appreciate the ease that silicone products offer.

Once your homemade sauce is frozen in a silicone mold, you can pop them out, place it in a freezer bag, label it, and then remove the frozen sauce when you need it.

It will defrost quickly on the counter. Depending on the amount, it should defrost in under 1 hour. You can also warm the sauce slightly in the microwave but do not overheat it.

What should you serve healthy special sauce with?

The next time you have any kind of burger night, prep this single recipe! Here are 5 favorite recipes you should use this creamy burger sauce with:

• BBQ turkey burgers
• Healthy chicken burger recipe
• Mini beef sliders with sweet potato buns
• Healthy burger bowls
• Chipotle chicken sandwich recipe

Substitutions

Below you’ll find a list of substitutions that will work well in this special burger sauce recipe. 

If you try something different out, please leave a comment below letting us all know how it turned out!

Avocado oil mayo – To not use mayo in this recipe, swap it with plain greek yogurt. You can also use sour cream, just know that both of those options will leave you with a more tangy cilantro lime sauce. If you are looking for an egg-free mayo, use vegan mayo. It will work perfectly in this recipe!

Ketchup – If you’d like this recipe to not have any added sugar, use ketchup that has no sugar added to it. An alternative would be to use tomato paste. If you choose that option, increase the coconut aminos slightly. Want to add some heat? Add a touch of hot sauce to the mix! For a smoky twist, try bbq sauce.

Pickle juice – To get that classic pickle flavor in, you can opt to use sweet pickle relish, dill pickle relish, or even finely diced dill pickles. The creamy sauce won’t be as smooth, but it sure will be delicious! White vinegar works as a non-pickle option here, especially if sweet relish is not your favorite.

Coconut aminos – A good substitute would be soy sauce. Omit the sea salt if using soy sauce.

Garlic powder – Granulated garlic or onion powder are good substitutes for garlic powder.

More easy sauce recipes you’ll love

• Cilantro lime sauce
• Kefir ranch salad dressing
• Sunbutter satay sauce
• Pineapple teriyaki sauce
• Healthy spinach artichoke dip

Print Recipe

5 from 5 votes

Healthy Special Sauce Recipe

Level up your favorite burgers, burger bowls, and french fry dipping with this special sauce recipe! Homemade with recognizable simple ingredients, it is dairy-free and super easy to make. Simply the best burger sauce recipe!

Prep Time5 minutes mins

Cook Time0 minutes mins

Servings: 4

Calories: 61kcal

Author: Heather Englund

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp avocado oil mayonnaise
• 2 tbsp ketchup
• 1 tbsp dill pickle juice
• 2 tsp coconut aminos
• 1 tsp yellow mustard
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/4 tsp sea salt
• 1/8 tsp black pepper

Instructions

• In a small bowl combine all of the ingredients together. Whisk until fully combined.
• Store your healthy special sauce in the fridge for up to 1 week in an airtight container.

Did you make this recipe?Be sure to tag me @fitmamarealfood or tag #fitmamarealfood!

Nutrition

Calories: 61kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 0.3g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 3mg | Sodium: 384mg | Potassium: 30mg | Fiber: 0.1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 44IU | Vitamin C: 0.3mg | Calcium: 3mg | Iron: 0.1mg

If you try this homemade big mac sauce recipe, I’d love it if you left a star rating and comment below letting me know how it turned out!

XO

Heather

Originally published September 2022. Updated November 2023.