McDonald's chef shares Big Mac sauce recipe and it doesn't contain ketchup

A former McDonald's employee is revealing the unexpected ingredients that go into the secret Big Mac sauce .

The fast food chain's Big Mac is a fan favorite second only to the chain's iconic French fries . The menu staple is known for its two beef patties, cheese, finely chopped onion, shredded lettuce, pickles, and of course, the Big Mac sauce.

The unique condiment has won over countless fast-food lovers, but few know what goes into it. But now a former employee of the fast-food giant has spilled the beans on the secret recipe by sharing his imitation version on TikTok. Ex-McDonald's corporate chef Mike Haracz revealed the unexpected list of ingredients that makeup the renowned burger sauce in a video uploaded to his account.

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Despite its characteristic pink color, there's no ketchup in the tangy condiment, according to Express. Instead, the mayonnaise-based sauce gets its distinctive taste from a blend of Dusseldorf mustard and white wine vinegar.

Mike said the orange hue comes from a small amount of paprika, which is used as both a dye and a flavor enhancer. Apart from mustard, vinegar, and paprika, the remaining ingredients are pretty standard, he said.

The secret to the Big Mac's iconic taste lies in its special sauce, a blend of mayonnaise, sweet pickle relish, onion powder, granulated garlic, and white pepper. Mike, a former employee, insists that mixing these ingredients and letting them sit for at least half an hour will yield a thick sauce that closely mimics the one used in McDonald's outlets, reports the Mirror .

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Given the ingredient list on McDonald's website, his claim seems plausible. Interestingly, there's no mention of ketchup or any other tomato-based products.

Instead, a slew of stabilisers, preservatives, and spices are listed, which can be omitted when whipping up the sauce at home. While the homemade version may not have the same shelf life, it's a great option for those looking to replicate a McDonald's-style meal without the expense or calorie count.