Big Mac Sloppy Joes Recipe
Add Preferred SourceBig Mac Sloppy Joes are what you get when you mash together two all-time American favorites—classic sloppy joe and the iconic McDonald’s Big Mac. Instead of a plain ground beef filling, you’re loading up your bun with seasoned beef, tangy homemade special sauce, melty cheddar cheese, and crisp lettuce. It’s got all the familiar layers and flavors, just served in a way that’s fun and easy to make at home.
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Game days, parties, lazy weekends, or last-minute family dinners—this recipe is a fun twist and fits right into all of it. It’s so easy to throw together at home; we’ve ditched the drive-thru. Leftovers hold up well in the fridge, and I’ve even frozen the meat mix for later with no issues. You can make the filling ahead and just reheat it, and assemble everything when everyone’s ready, which saves you not only money but also time.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You’ll need all the ingredients shown in the photograph below.
How to Make Big Mac Sloppy Joe with Step-By-Step Instructions
Scroll down for the full recipe card containing a full printable recipe and measurements in both US customary and metric units.
You’ll find making this Big Mac Sloppy Joe simple and satisfying if you follow my step-by-step instructions below.
Make the Secret Sauce
In a small bowl make the copycat Big Mac sauce, whisk together mayonnaise, pickle relish, sugar, vinegar, mustard, paprika, salt, and pepper.
Stir until smooth and creamy, then set it aside so the flavors have time to develop while you cook the meat.
Toast the Buns
Preheat your oven to 350°F. Arrange the sesame seed buns on a baking sheet and bake them for 5 minutes until lightly toasted—toasting gives them a sturdier base to hold the filling and adds a little extra texture.
Also, make sure to space them out a bit so the hot air can circulate evenly. Giving them space helps them toast properly without getting soggy or too soft in the middle.
Cook the Ground Beef
Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the lean ground beef and chopped onion. Season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder.
Cook for 7 to 10 minutes, breaking up the meat as it browns. If you break it up too early, the meat can steam instead of brown. Waiting until after it’s cooked can leave you with large chunks that miss out on all that flavor from the browning.
Once it’s fully cooked, drain off any excess grease.
Mix in the Sauce
Pour about ½ cup of your prepared sauce into the skillet and stir it into the ground beef mixture. Let it simmer for 2 minutes so the meat can soak up that sweet-and-savory flavor.
Assemble the Sloppy Joes
Place a slice of cheddar cheese on the bottom half of each toasted bun. Add shredded lettuce over the cheese, then scoop the warm beef mixture on top.
Finish with pickle slices and an extra drizzle of sauce. Spread a little more sauce on the top bun and place it over the filling. Serve it while it’s hot, and enjoy!
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 4 to 6 hamburger buns
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 4 to 6 slices cheddar cheese
- 1 cup sliced pickles
- 1 cup shredded lettuce
- 1 small onion chopped
Sauce Ingredients:
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons pickle relish
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon white vinegar
- 1 tablespoon mustard
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, pickle relish, granulated sugar, white vinegar, mustard, paprika, salt, and pepper until smooth. Set aside.1 cup sliced pickles, 1 cup mayonnaise, 1 teaspoon granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon white vinegar, 1 tablespoon mustard, 1 teaspoon paprika, ½ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Place the hamburger buns on a baking sheet and bake for 5 minutes, or until lightly toasted.4 to 6 hamburger buns
- Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef, chopped onion, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Cook, breaking up the beef, for 7-10 minutes, until browned. Drain any excess grease.1 pound ground beef, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon black pepper, 1 tablespoon oil, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 small onion
- Stir in ½ cup of the prepared sauce and let it cook for 2 minutes, until heated through.
- Place a slice of cheddar cheese on the bottom half of each toasted bun. Add a handful of shredded lettuce and spoon the beef mixture over it. Top with sliced pickles and drizzle with extra Big Mac sauce. Spread more sauce on the top bun, then place it over the filling.4 to 6 slices cheddar cheese, 1 cup shredded lettuce, 2 tablespoons pickle relish
- Serve immediately while hot and enjoy your homemade Big Mac Sloppy Joes!
Notes
- Let the Sauce Rest: Mixing it first gives the ingredients time to meld together while you prep the rest.
- Toast the Buns: Toasting helps prevent soggy bottoms and gives your sandwich a nice crunch that holds up under the filling.
- Go for Lean Beef: It keeps the mixture from getting too greasy and lets the sauce shine through.
- Chop the Onion Small: Smaller bits of onion blend better into the meat, just like in the original burger.
- Sauce Twice: Adding some to the meat and more to the sandwich gives you that bold Big Mac flavor in every bite.
- Cheese Goes on the Bun: Laying cheese on the bun helps it melt just right when the hot meat hits.
- Crisp Lettuce Only: Use fresh iceberg or romaine for crunch—add it last so it doesn’t wilt.
- Serve Hot: Assemble just before serving for the best flavor and texture.
Nutrition
Recipe Notes and Expert Tips
I’ve made these sloppy joes a few times and picked up some helpful tricks to make sure everything turns out just right.
- Let the Sauce Rest: Mixing it first gives the ingredients time to meld together while you prep the rest.
- Toast the Buns: Toasting helps prevent soggy bottoms and gives your sandwich a nice crunch that holds up under the filling.
- Go for Lean Beef: It keeps the mixture from getting too greasy and lets the sauce shine through.
- Chop the Onion Small: Smaller bits of onion blend better into the meat, just like in the original burger.
- Sauce Twice: Adding some to the meat and more to the sandwich gives you that bold Big Mac flavor in every bite.
- Cheese Goes on the Bun: Laying cheese on the bun helps it melt just right when the hot meat hits.
- Crisp Lettuce Only: Use fresh iceberg or romaine for crunch—add it last so it doesn’t wilt.
- Serve Hot: Assemble just before serving for the best flavor and texture.
How to Store Leftovers
If you have leftovers, store the cooked and cooled beef and sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. You’ll also want to store the buns, pickles, and lettuce separately so they don’t get soggy. When you’re ready to reheat, warm it on the stove or in the microwave until hot.
The meat mixture freezes well, too—just cool it down completely, pack it into a freezer-safe container, and freeze it for up to 3 months. Just thaw it overnight in the fridge before reheating.
What to Serve With Big Mac Sloppy Joe
This sandwich pairs perfectly with all your favorite fast-food sides. Think French fries, tater tots, or a pile of kettle chips. For something with a little crunch, coleslaw works great.
If you want to keep it simple, a dill pickle spear and a can of soda totally complete the meal. Or go all out and serve it with mac and cheese for the ultimate comfort combo.
More Easy Recipes for You to Try at Home
If you love hamburgers but don’t want to hurt your pocket, I’ve got more easy recipes that you can make in your own kitchen like this one, and are just as delicious as the restaurant’s.
