Copycat McDonald’s Breakfast Bagel Sauce 🥯
This creamy, zesty breakfast sauce is what made McDonald’s Steak, Bacon, and Sausage Bagels iconic. Our pro version nails the flavor and texture of the original using pantry staples plus a few secret ingredients like cheese powder and buttermilk powder.
Did you know McDonald’s Breakfast Sauce vanished from U.S. menus in 2020? Blame it on the pandemic and sluggish sales. This creamy, tangy, hollandaise-style sauce was the secret star of their bagel sandwiches—whether you were team sausage, steak, or bacon.
But here’s the twist: While the sauce officially disappeared, McDonald’s has quietly brought back the bagels in some areas… and rumor has it, the beloved sauce might still be hiding out at select locations.
Luckily, now it doesn’t matter, because we’ve recreated it and the flavor is SPOT-On!
💖 Why You’ll Love This Recipe
✔️ Authentic McDonald’s flavor—95%+ match!
✔️ Takes only 5 minutes to make
✔️ No hard-to-find ingredients (cheese powder & buttermilk powder available online or at bulk stores)
✔️ Perfect for breakfast sandwiches, wraps, or dipping hash browns
🛒 Ingredient Notes
- Mayonnaise – Use full-fat mayo for richness
- Yellow Mustard – Classic tangy kick
- Steak Sauce – A.1. or store brand works great
- Buttermilk Powder – Adds signature creamy zing
- Cheddar Cheese Powder – Boosts umami & richness
- Dill Weed – Key herb flavor in the original
- Lemon Juice – Brightens the sauce
- Liquid Smoke – Optional but adds a grilled note
👩🍳 How to Make Copycat McDonald’s Bagel Sauce
This is the pro-version, meaning the recipe is 99% spot-on flavor-wise. If you’d like, here’s the simplified quickie version of Mcdonalds breakfast bagel sauce.Ingredients:
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
- 1 teaspoon A1 steak sauce (or similar)
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon dried dill weed
- 1½ teaspoons buttermilk powder
- 1½ teaspoons cheddar cheese powder
- 1–2 drops liquid smoke (optional)
- Salt & black pepper to taste
- Combine all ingredients in a bowl.
- Whisk until smooth and creamy.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours (preferably overnight).
- Use generously on breakfast bagels, egg sandwiches, or as a dip.
💸 Budget101® Price Breakdown
| Ingredient | Amount Used | Package Size | Full Cost | Used Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mayonnaise | ½ cup | 30 oz | $4.48 | $0.60 |
| Yellow Mustard | 1 Tbsp | 20 oz | $1.19 | $0.06 |
| Steak Sauce | 1 tsp | 10 oz | $3.58 | $0.12 |
| Lemon Juice | 1 tsp | 15 oz | $1.42 | $0.05 |
| Dill Weed | 1 tsp | 0.62 oz | $1.00 | $0.15 |
| Buttermilk Powder | 1½ tsp | 12 oz | $5.87 | $0.18 |
| Cheddar Cheese Powder | 1½ tsp | 8 oz | $7.98 | $0.25 |
| Liquid Smoke | 2 drops | 3.5 oz | $2.12 | $0.02 |
| Salt & Pepper | To taste | – | – | $0.02 |
| 🧾 Total Recipe Cost: | $1.45 | |||
| 👨👩👧👦 Cost Per Serving (8 servings): | $0.18 | |||
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Yes—just omit the buttermilk and cheese powders, but note it won’t taste as rich or authentic.
Store in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.
Absolutely! It’s delicious on wraps, turkey sandwiches, burgers, or even as a veggie dip.
Online (Hoosier Hill Farm or Anthony’s), or in bulk food stores and camping sections.
It adds a subtle grilled flavor that mimics fast-food breakfast meats.
If you’re a fan of recreating fast-food classics at home, don’t miss our spot-on Copycat McDonald’s Filet-O-Fish Sandwich—crispy, flaky, and topped with that iconic tangy tartar sauce.
🎨 Recipe Variations & Substitutions
- Spicy Version: Add ⅛ tsp cayenne or hot sauce.
- Vegan Option: Use vegan mayo, omit dairy powders.
- Herb Boost: Add chives or parsley for color and flavor.
🍽️ Serving Suggestions
- Classic McD-style steak, bacon, or sausage bagels
- Egg and cheese croissant sandwiches
- Hash brown dipping sauce
📦 Storage Tips
- Refrigerate in an airtight container
- Use within 10–14 days
- Do not freeze (mayonnaise-based sauces separate)
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🖨️ Print-Friendly McDonald’s Breakfast Bagel sauce Recipe
Copycat McDonald’s Breakfast Bagel Sauce
Equipment
- Equipment:
- Whisk or spoon
- Mason jar or airtight container
Ingredients
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
- 1 teaspoon A.1. steak sauce (or similar)
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon dried dill weed
- 1½ teaspoons buttermilk powder
- 1½ teaspoons cheddar cheese powder
- 1-2 drops liquid smoke (optional but recommended)
- Salt & black pepper (to taste)
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine mayonnaise, mustard, steak sauce, and lemon juice.½ cup mayonnaise1 tablespoon yellow mustard1 teaspoon A.1. steak sauce1 teaspoon lemon juice
- Add in dill weed, buttermilk powder, cheddar cheese powder, and liquid smoke.1 teaspoon dried dill weed1½ teaspoons buttermilk powder1½ teaspoons cheddar cheese powder1-2 drops liquid smoke
- Season with salt and freshly cracked pepper to taste.Salt & black pepper
- Whisk or stir until the sauce is smooth and fully blended.
- Transfer to a mason jar or airtight container.
- Chill in the fridge for at least 2 hours before serving (overnight is best).
- Serve with breakfast bagel sandwiches or as a dip.
Equipment
Notes
Recipe Notes:
For the most authentic flavor, use full-fat mayo and aged cheddar cheese powder. This sauce pairs best with a toasted bagel, scrambled eggs, melty cheese, and your favorite breakfast meat.💡 Bonus Tips:
📝 Pro Tip: Blend all ingredients in a mini food processor for a smoother, fast-food style texture. 🧊 Keeps in the fridge for 10–14 days. Do not freeze. 🔥 Want it spicy? Add a pinch of cayenne or a few drops of hot sauce! 🧀 Can’t find cheese powder? Substitute with finely shredded cheddar and blend thoroughly.If you altered the ingedients above by doubling or tripling the recipe, you may also need to change the pan/dish size and adjust the cooking/baking time.
Nutrition
🍔 More McDonald’s Copycat Recipes & Hacks
- 🍍 McDonald’s Sweet & Sour Sauce Recipe – Make this iconic dipping sauce at home with pantry staples.
- 🟣 Copycat McDonald’s Grimace Shake – A fun, fruity purple milkshake inspired by everyone’s favorite mascot.
- 💰 McDonald’s Cheap Food Hacks – Insider tricks to get more bang for your buck at the drive-thru.
- 🌶️ McDonald’s Hot Mustard Sauce Copycat – That spicy-savory dip you miss? It’s back—in your kitchen!
- 🍀 MYO Shamrock Shakes – Minty, creamy perfection in a glass—just like the seasonal favorite.
- 🧾 MYO Copycat McGriddle – See how members are recreating this breakfast favorite (and share your version too!).
