this vegan big mac is a fun way to enjoy all the flavors of a classic big mac without any of the animal products! next time you feel like making burgers for dinner, try this out!
this blog post and pictures have been updated on 2/21/25
the inspiration
As a big disclaimer: I have never had an actual Big Mac. However, this vegan Big Mac is delicious. The burger itself is pretty standard: onions, pickles, lettuce, American cheese. And of course the real magic comes from the special sauce.
I really love making veganized versions of fast food classics. It is so fun to recreate these recipes at home and without the animal products. Of course the Big Mac is a classic burger everyone knows, so I had to do it.
In our vegan Big Mac we are going to make a homemade vegan big mac sauce or special sauce. Cook up some yummy vegan burgers, top it with vegan cheese slices, dill pickles, lettuce, and onions. It is so good, you will love it.
the ingredients
- Vegan Burger Patty: of course we need burgers for our vegan Big Mac. I am using Beyond Meat.
- Bun: you will need 1 ½ buns for a vegan Big Mac. Part of the magic is that they put another bottom bun halfway through the burger.
- Lettuce: for a little crunch and color.
- Vegan Cheese: we will need one slice of vegan cheese, you can either use American or cheddar. However, ultimately it is up to you and if you want to get fancy have fun!
- Minced Onions: we will need some minced onion you pick up in the spice section.
- Ketchup: we will use ketchup in the vegan big mac sauce. It adds color, sweetness, and a bit of tang.
- Sweet Relish: we will use this also in the vegan big mac sauce, it will add sweetness and some texture.
- Vegan Mayonnaise: we will use this to add creaminess and fat to the vegan big mac sauce.
- Seasonings: we will need some seasonings for the vegan burger patties and some for the vegan big mac sauce.
- Maple Syrup: this will add some extra sweetness to the vegan big mac sauce.
- Apple Cider Vinegar: this adds a hint of acidity in the vegan big mac sauce, you can also use white vinegar.
- Sliced Pickles: finally, we need some pickles on our burger! I am using some sliced kosher dill.
rehydrated minced onions
When I first made this recipe I used real chopped onions, which you can see in the original top picture of the blog post. However, someone had informed me McDonald’s doesn’t use a real onion. Which to be honest…makes sense.
So, all you need to do is get some minced onions from the food store. They are little dehydrated pieces of onion! Then, we will rehydrate them with some water and there you go. Onions just like that they use.
Now, of course if you would like to use real chopped onions you totally can. However, the rehydrated aren’t as strong as a raw chopped onion. They add nice flavor and texture without being overbearing to the vegan Big Mac.
vegan big mac sauce
So, let’s talk about this vegan big mac sauce/special sauce. There have been many attempts as to figure out what the heck is in there. Is it Thousand Island dressing? Is it French dressing? Is it ketchup, mayo, and mustard?
According to the McDonald’s website it is “a creamy, delicious balance of sour, zesty mustard flavor, pickle relish, onion powder, and savory tastes.” So I think what I made is a pretty close estimate to their special sauce.
After years of having multiple people make this recipe they have said the vegan big mac sauce tastes just as good! So, that makes me very happy to hear.
vegan burger patties
When I first made this recipe in 2019 it was a huge deal because we finally had Beyond Meat burger patties! It was so exciting to be able to make meaty vegan burgers at home.
Now we have so many more options for vegan burger patties like: Impossible, Dr. Praeger’s Perfect Burger, and so many stores have their own generic versions of vegan burgers too!
You can also go the route of something more like a black bean or veggie burger if you like or use my vegan burger recipe. The point is there are a lot of options out there now, so always feel free to customize the recipe to what works for you!
preparing the vegan burger patties
You will take your vegan burger patty and divide it into 2 smaller burgers. If you would like to really stack up the protein and make it extra meaty you could of course just use 2 whole burgers. However, I think that would be a huge vegan Big Mac and may be hard to eat.
After you divide the two patties you will cook them according to package instructions on the skillet or if you want to grill them you can. I like to add a bit of seasoning to each side and I keep it simple with just salt, black pepper, and garlic powder.
Once the patties are all made and you’ve made the special sauce it is time to assemble the vegan Big Mac!
tips for enhancing your vegan big mac
While making the vegan Big Mac is pretty straight-forward there are a few little extra thing you can do to make it even better.
- Toast your buns. Of course this warms them, makes them a little crispy. If you want to make it even more decadent lightly brush with oil or vegan butter.
- Add sesame seeds. Most burger buns with sesame seeds already on top are not vegan. So, I like to add a little spray oil and then sprinkle sesame seeds overtop. Of course this just for an aesthetic purpose.
- Cut the middle bun in half. If you are finding your middle bun is too large you can always cut it in half or just cut some off. This can help to make a thinner burger. You can also completely omit it, if you don’t feel like doing it!
- Use romaine lettuce. While iceberg lettuce is great, the romaine lettuce stays a little crunchier and crisper.
more veganized fast food
vegan big mac faq
- Is this recipe soy free? That will depend on the vegan burger patty, vegan cheese, and vegan mayonnaise you use.
- Is this recipe gluten-free? You can use a gluten free bun and be sure to check the ingredients in your vegan burger.
- Is this recipe nut free? As long as you use nut free cheese, then yes.
- How long will the vegan Big Mac sauce last in the fridge? Up to 5 days in a container.
- How can I prep this ahead of time? If you wanted to do this as a family dinner and get some of the work done ahead of time I would do this: cook the vegan burger patties, make the special sauce, get out all the toppings, and then let everyone assemble their own vegan Big Macs.
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Vegan Big Mac
Ingredients
- 1 Beyond Meat burger (4 ounces)
- ⅛ teaspoon salt distributed per patty side
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper distributed per patty side
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder distributed per patty side
- 3 tablespoons minced onion chopped
- ¼ cup lettuce romaine or iceberg shredded
- 5 pickle slices
- 1 slice vegan American or Cheddar cheese
Special Sauce
- ¼ cup vegan mayo
- 1 tablespoon sweet dill or dill relish
- 1 teaspoon maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- 1 ½ sesame seed buns 1 top and 2 bottoms
Instructions
- Prepare special sauce by adding all ingredients into a bowl. Mixing well together until sauce turns light orange and refrigerate. Can be refrigerated for up to 5 days.
- Take 1 Beyond Beef patty and cut it in half. Using a fork, mold the patties into thinner, smaller patties. Top each side garlic powder, salt and pepper.
- Bring it over to a non-stick pan (if you use a regular pan, you may want to add a drop of oil) and put the seasoned side down. Then add the remaining seasonings to the same side. Cook according to package directions.
- While the patties cook, rehydrate the minced onions. Add in 3 tablespoons (45ml) of water and set to the side for 5 minutes.
- When the burger patties are cooked it is time to assemble. Start by taking one bottom bun and spreading some special sauce. Add lettuce, the vegan cheese, a patty, and some onion. Add the second bottom bun, you may need to cut this in half depending on how thick it is. Spread special sauce, lettuce, and pickles. Then add the remaining patty, top with more onion and finally the top bun.
- You may need to squish the burger down a bit. Pair with fries if you like and enjoy!
Video
Notes
- Special sauce will last in the fridge for up to 5 days. If separation occurs mix again.
- Nutrition facts are based on my gram measurements put into Cronometer. Yours may vary, they are to help you get an idea.
- Please do not repost recipes without my permission. Sharing a direct link is always highly encouraged and appreciated.
- I am using Hellman’s Plant Based Mayonnaise.
- I am using Follow Your Heart American cheese.
- You can use any vegan burger you prefer.
Nutrition
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I worked at McDonald’s about 40 years ago. Back then thank used dried onions and they threw them on the grill with some water to bring them back to life. Since I didn’t use real onions that’s why they didn’t grill the onions they just rehydrated the others
thanks for the info Jenny! After posting this recipe I heard that from a lot of people now, will have to try it that way one day!
Any suggestions for beyond meat that would really work? I don’t think tvp would work.
Hi Lena, this was what I had written in the blog post “Now we have so many more options for vegan burger patties like: Impossible, Dr. Praeger’s Perfect Burger, and so many stores have their own generic versions of vegan burgers too!
You can also go the route of something more like a black bean or veggie burger if you like or use my vegan burger recipe. The point is there are a lot of options out there now, so always feel free to customize the recipe to what works for you!”
Love making this delicious vegan Big Mac – best special sauce and layering 👌🏼
Hi Taryn!! oh yay I am so glad to hear that. thank you so much for trying it and taking the time to leave a comment/review 🙂
THIS!!!! We absolutely love this recipe. It’s our go-to vegan Big Mac ~ absolutely DELISH and on point!!!
yay!!! I am so glad to hear that, thank you so much for coming and leaving a review/comment!!!
Our favourite!
yay I am so happy to hear that!!
So good!! I made these last night using your tofu burgers (which are also delicious and so easy!). The sauce is so tasty and really helped it all come together! I served them on grilled/toasted Dave’s Killer whole grain and seed burger rolls. I will definitely make these again! Thank you for another great recipe!
Hi Jodi!! Yay I am so glad you ennoyed this recipe!!! Makes me so happy to hear <3