Unlock the Secret: Crafting the Perfect Copycat McDonald’s Breakfast Sauce at Home
The McDonald’s Breakfast Sauce holds a special place in the hearts of many fast-food enthusiasts. Its signature creamy, tangy, and perfectly balanced flavor profile is an absolute game-changer, elevating any breakfast item it graces. For me, it’s undeniably one of the most irresistible sauces McDonald’s has ever offered.

It’s a bittersweet truth that McDonald’s no longer widely sells this beloved sauce. While it reportedly still makes an appearance on their breakfast bagel in a select few locations (a small comfort for loyal fans!), its general disappearance from menus prompted me to embark on a culinary quest. My mission? To recreate this versatile and distinctively flavorful sauce in my own kitchen. The result is this copycat recipe, designed to bring the iconic taste of McDonald’s Breakfast Sauce right to your home.
This article will guide you through every step of making this sensational sauce, sharing tips, variations, and serving suggestions so you can enjoy this creamy delight whenever the craving strikes.
Why You’ll Adore This Copycat McDonald’s Breakfast Sauce Recipe
Beyond satisfying a nostalgic craving, there are numerous reasons why this homemade McDonald’s Breakfast Sauce recipe will become a staple in your kitchen. It’s more than just a sauce; it’s a versatile condiment that elevates countless meals with its unique blend of flavors and creamy texture.
- Effortlessly Simple: Forget complicated techniques or obscure ingredients. This recipe is designed for ease, taking mere minutes to whip up using common pantry staples. It’s perfect for busy mornings or when you need a quick, flavorful addition to your meal.
- Incredibly Versatile: Don’t limit this sauce to just breakfast! Its balanced flavor profile makes it an excellent dipping sauce or spread for almost anything. Imagine it on breakfast burritos, egg sandwiches, crispy hash browns, golden French fries, chicken nuggets, or even grilled fish. Its cool, creamy texture and zesty tang complement a wide range of dishes, transforming ordinary meals into extraordinary culinary experiences.
- Distinctive and Delicious Flavor: This sauce truly stands out. It’s not just creamy; it possesses a unique tang that sets it apart from other condiments. The combination of savory, zesty, and subtly sweet notes creates an addictive flavor that will have you reaching for it again and again. Recreating this iconic taste at home means you can enjoy that unmistakable McDonald’s magic whenever you desire.
- Freshness You Can Trust: When you make your own sauce, you control the ingredients. This means a fresher taste, no artificial preservatives, and the ability to adjust flavors to your personal preference. It’s a healthier and often more flavorful alternative to store-bought options.
Essential Ingredients for Your Homemade Breakfast Sauce
Crafting this copycat McDonald’s Breakfast Sauce relies on a few simple, accessible ingredients that likely already reside in your pantry or refrigerator. The magic happens when these humble components come together to create a flavor greater than the sum of its parts. Here’s what you’ll need:

For precise measurements, please refer to the recipe card located at the bottom of this post.
- Mayonnaise: The creamy base of our sauce. Good quality mayonnaise will provide the rich, smooth texture and mild flavor crucial for this recipe.
- Yellow Mustard: Adds a characteristic tang and a hint of piquant flavor without being overpowering. It’s essential for replicating that signature McDonald’s taste.
- Steak Sauce: A surprising secret ingredient that contributes depth, savoriness, and a touch of complexity. Look for a classic steak sauce like A.1. for the most authentic flavor.
- Dried Dill Weed: This herb is key to the unique aromatic profile of the breakfast sauce. Dried dill is potent, so a little goes a long way to infuse that fresh, slightly anise-like note.
- Lemon Juice: Provides a bright, fresh acidity that balances the richness of the mayonnaise and mustard. Freshly squeezed lemon juice is always preferred for the best flavor.
- Salt and Pepper: To taste. These fundamental seasonings allow you to fine-tune the sauce to your preference, ensuring it’s perfectly balanced.
Ensuring your ingredients are fresh will yield the best results for your copycat McDonald’s Breakfast Sauce. This simple combination creates a surprisingly complex and utterly delicious condiment.
Easy Recipe Walkthrough: Step-by-Step Instructions
Creating your very own McDonald’s Breakfast Sauce is incredibly straightforward. With just a few simple steps, you’ll have a batch of this creamy, tangy goodness ready to enjoy. This is a brief overview; for more detailed instructions and specific quantities, please consult the full recipe card at the end of this article.


Step 3: (Optional but Recommended) For optimal flavor development, cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least one hour before serving.
Pro Tip: If you plan on making and using this sauce frequently, consider transferring it into a squeeze bottle. This makes for easy dispensing and keeps your sauce fresh.
Elevate Your Sauce: Recipe Variations and Substitute Ideas
While the classic copycat recipe is fantastic on its own, don’t hesitate to customize your McDonald’s Breakfast Sauce to better suit your palate or available ingredients. Here are some creative variations and substitution ideas to explore, allowing you to personalize this versatile condiment:
- Dijon Mustard: For a slightly more sophisticated and less overtly sweet mustard flavor, swap out yellow mustard for Dijon. It will add a sharper, tangier edge.
- Onion Powder: Introduce a subtle depth of savory onion flavor with just a pinch of onion powder. It complements the other ingredients beautifully without being overpowering.
- Hot Sauce: If you enjoy a kick, a few dashes of your favorite hot sauce can add a pleasant level of heat, transforming it into a spicy breakfast sauce.
- Cheddar Cheese Powder: For an extra layer of savory, cheesy goodness, especially if serving with cheesy breakfast items, a touch of cheddar cheese powder could be a delicious addition.
- Cayenne Pepper: Similar to hot sauce, cayenne pepper offers a clean, spicy flavor. Start with a tiny pinch and add more to achieve your desired level of heat.
- Buttermilk Powder: To impart a richer, more complex creamy tanginess, incorporate a small amount of buttermilk powder. This can deepen the sauce’s body and flavor.
- Fresh Dill: For an even brighter, more vibrant dill flavor, use finely chopped fresh dill instead of dried. Remember that fresh herbs are generally less potent than dried, so you might need to use a bit more.
- Sweet Pickle Relish: A spoonful of sweet pickle relish can add a delightful sweet and tangy vinegar note, along with a pleasant textural element. It’s an unexpected twist that works wonderfully.
- Garlic Powder: For those who love the aromatic depth of garlic, a pinch of garlic powder can enhance the overall savory profile of the sauce.
- White Vinegar: If you don’t have fresh lemon juice on hand, white vinegar can be used as a substitute to provide the necessary acidity. Use slightly less initially and adjust to taste.
- Honey Mustard: Instead of regular yellow mustard, honey mustard can introduce a sweeter, more nuanced mustard flavor, adding another layer of complexity.
- Worcestershire Sauce: A small dash of Worcestershire sauce can provide an excellent boost of umami, adding a savory depth that makes the sauce even more addictive.
Experiment with these ideas to find your perfect rendition of this amazing breakfast sauce. Each addition offers a unique way to tailor the flavor to your personal preference.

Sharing is Caring – Connect With Us!
Enjoying this recipe? Spread the word and connect with our community for more delicious creations!
Like Our Facebook Page: The Cagle Diaries
Necessary Gear: Equipment
The following may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases, which helps support this blog at no extra cost to you.
Good news! You won’t need any specialized kitchen gadgets or fancy equipment to whip up this copycat McDonald’s Breakfast Sauce. This recipe truly embraces simplicity. All you’ll need are two basic kitchen tools:
- A Small Mixing Bowl: Any small bowl will do the trick for combining your ingredients.
- A Whisk: Essential for thoroughly blending the ingredients into a smooth, creamy sauce. A balloon whisk works best for aerating and emulsifying.
That’s truly all there is to it! No elaborate machinery or complex setups required. You likely already have these items in your kitchen, making this recipe even more accessible. For specific recommendations on the equipment I use and love, check the affiliate links provided in the full recipe card below.
More Delicious Recipes You’ll Love
If you enjoyed crafting this copycat McDonald’s Breakfast Sauce, you’re sure to find more favorites among our collection of homemade sauces and comfort food recipes. Expand your culinary repertoire with these enticing options:
- Southern Tartar Sauce Recipe
- Cajun Butter Sauce
- Seafood Sauce Recipe
- McDonald’s Cajun Sauce Recipe
- Big Mac Casserole – Recreate another McDonald’s classic in a comforting casserole format.
- Dried Cranberry Sauce Recipe – A delightful and tangy sauce for various occasions.
Explore these recipes and discover new flavors to enjoy with family and friends!
How to Store Leftovers and Maximize Freshness
Proper storage is key to extending the life of your delicious homemade McDonald’s Breakfast Sauce. Because it contains mayonnaise and fresh ingredients, it’s crucial to keep it chilled to maintain both flavor and food safety.
After preparing the sauce, transfer it to an airtight container. A glass jar with a tight-fitting lid or a plastic squeeze bottle works perfectly. Store it in the refrigerator immediately. When properly stored, this sauce will retain its quality and freshness for up to 2 weeks.
It is generally not recommended to freeze this recipe. The mayonnaise base can separate and change texture upon thawing, resulting in a less desirable consistency. For the best experience, always enjoy this sauce fresh from the refrigerator.
Before each use, give the sauce a quick stir or a shake (if in a squeeze bottle) to re-emulsify any ingredients that might have settled. Always use a clean spoon or utensil to prevent cross-contamination, which can reduce its shelf life.
Mel’s Kitchen Notes: Expert Tips for Success
When preparing a breakfast sandwich with this delightful sauce, always remember to toast your bread or bagel lightly first. This simple step creates a slight barrier, preventing the sauce from soaking into the bread too quickly and making it soggy. It ensures every bite maintains the perfect texture and flavor balance.
- Taste and Adjust: Always taste your sauce before serving. Ingredients like mustard and steak sauce can vary in intensity. Feel free to adjust the salt, pepper, or lemon juice to match your preference.
- Chill for Flavor: While you can use the sauce immediately, allowing it to chill in the refrigerator for at least an hour (or even overnight) truly allows the flavors to meld and deepen, resulting in a more harmonious and authentic taste.
- Serving Temperature: This sauce is best served chilled. Its cool, creamy texture contrasts beautifully with warm breakfast items.
- Mayonnaise Quality: The quality of your mayonnaise significantly impacts the final taste. Opt for a brand you enjoy, or even make your own for an extra fresh touch.

About The Author
Melanie Cagle
Melanie is a professional cook, passionate food photographer, and a true Cajun food connoisseur. Since 2020, she has been dedicated to sharing rigorously tested recipes and insightful culinary tutorials right here on her blog.
Her expertise and delicious creations have garnered recognition, with her work being featured on prominent platforms such as Fox News channels, Yahoo news, Southern Living, and many more. Melanie’s commitment to quality and flavor shines through in every recipe she shares, ensuring you get the best results in your own kitchen.

Frequently Asked Questions: FAQs About McDonald’s Breakfast Sauce
Officially, McDonald’s has discontinued selling the Breakfast Sauce as a standalone condiment. However, some individual locations may still use it on specific breakfast items, most notably their breakfast cheese bagel. The availability can vary significantly by region and restaurant.
The sauce is characterized by its creamy texture, combined with a unique tangy and slightly savory flavor profile. It has hints of mustard, herbs (like dill), and a subtle zest that makes it distinctive and incredibly versatile for breakfast items.
This sauce is incredibly versatile! It’s perfect for breakfast sandwiches (bagels, muffins, biscuits), burritos, hash browns, French fries, chicken nuggets, grilled chicken, fish, or as a dipping sauce for almost any savory snack.
When stored properly in an airtight container in the refrigerator, your homemade McDonald’s Breakfast Sauce will stay fresh for up to 2 weeks.
Absolutely! In fact, making it ahead and allowing it to chill for at least an hour (or even overnight) significantly enhances the flavor as the ingredients have more time to meld together.
If you’ve had the pleasure of trying this Copycat McDonald’s Breakfast Sauce Recipe or any other fantastic recipe from our site, we would absolutely love to hear from you! Please share your experience in the comment section below and let us know how it turned out.
If you adore this recipe, please consider giving it a 5-star rating! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
For more amazing recipes and culinary inspiration, make sure to follow us on PINTEREST, FACEBOOK and INSTAGRAM!

Print Recipe
Pin Recipe
Copycat McDonald’s Breakfast Sauce Recipe
2
1
1
2
1
Cup
Copycat Recipes
Melanie Cagle
Equipment
- OXO Good Grips 11-Inch Balloon Whisk
- Glass Mixing Bowls
Ingredients
- ½ Cup Mayonnaise
- 1 Tablespoon Yellow Mustard
- 1 Tablespoon Steak Sauce
- 1 teaspoon Dried Dill Weed
- 1 teaspoon Lemon Juice
- Salt and Pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a small mixing bowl, combine all listed ingredients: mayonnaise, yellow mustard, steak sauce, dried dill weed, lemon juice, and season with salt and pepper to your taste.
- Whisk vigorously until all ingredients are thoroughly blended and the sauce is smooth and creamy. Ensure there are no lumps of dried dill or mustard.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for a minimum of one hour. This allows the flavors to meld and deepen, resulting in the best possible taste.
Notes
Did You Make This?
Please consider Leaving a Review in the comments section!
Nutrition Information (Estimated per serving)
Serving:
1
g
|
Calories:
49
kcal
|
Fat:
5
g
|
Saturated Fat:
1
g
|
Polyunsaturated Fat:
4
g
|
Cholesterol:
3
mg
|
Sodium:
90
mg
Stay Connected for More Recipes!
Don’t miss out on our latest delicious creations. Follow us on social media or subscribe to our newsletter (link in bio) for exclusive recipes and cooking tips!
