Big Mac Sloppy Joes with Homemade Secret Sauce

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Big Mac Sloppy Joes combine all the deliciousness of a regular sloppy joe with all the yummy flavors of a McDonald's Big Mac! This meaty, cheesy sloppy joe recipe even has special sauce!
Picture of big Mac sloppy Joe on a plate with big Mac sauce oozing out of the front of the sandwich.

Big Mac Sloppy Joe

If you love a Big Mac from McDonald’s, you’re going to love this sloppy joe recipe! The ultimate Big Mac Sloppy Joe is meaty, cheesy, and even has secret sauce, just like the McDonald’s burger.

This beyond-delicious sloppy joe sandwich is loaded with ground beef, onion, and dill pickle chips.

It’s assembled on a sesame seed bun and layered with chopped iceberg lettuce, American cheese and my homemade secret sauce. The sauce is easy to make and, in my opinion, way better than thousand island dressing.

These Big-Mac sloppy Joes capture all the flavor of a real Big Mac–and that’s a win!

If you’re looking for an easy dinner idea that the kids will love, be sure to save this sloppy joe recipe.

Why You’ll Love Big Mac Sloppy Joes

Picture of big Mac sloppy Joe on a white plate.
  • Quick-and-Easy – Why go out and get “fast food” when you can make fast food at home? These sloppy joes only take 30 minutes to cook and assemble.
  • One-Pan Meal – Minimal prep and one pan is all you need. Not only do these sloppy joes hit the spot, but clean-up is a snap.
  • Fun Twist on an All-Time Favorite – Nothing is more nostalgic and brings more joy than the taste of a Big Mac “two whole beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions on a sesame seed bun.” “You deserve a break, today with McDonald’s” Big Mac Sloppy Joe. And trust me, it is all that!

Ingredients Needed

Overhead picture of ground beef, coarse black pepper, Worcestershire sauce, diced onion, diced pickles, dill hamburger pickle chips, American cheese, sesame seed buns, shredded lettuce, and big Mac sauce.
  • Ground Beef
  • Yellow Onion
  • Hamburger Dill Pickle Chips
  • Black Pepper
  • Worcestershire Sauce
  • Sesame Seed Buns
  • Iceberg Lettuce
  • American Cheese
  • Homemade Secret Sauce

Ground Beef – Make sure to purchase a leaner ground beef and keep meat in thicker chucks. Sloppy Joe’s will hold shape better and be easier to assemble.

Yellow Onion – or white onion may be used.

Hamburger Dill Pickle Chips – are what the iconic Big Mac sandwich is made with. Likewise, if you wanted to use dill pickles sandwich slices that could work too.

And if you’d like a sweeter taste bread and butter pickles may be used if that’s your jam.

Black Pepper – Course black pepper or ground black pepper is best.

Worcestershire Sauce – I skip added salt since Worcestershire sauce contains salt along with pickles and any ingredients found in the “secret sauce”.

Sesame Seed Buns – are what Big Mac’s have been made with since 1965. Hence, why sesame seed buns are my bread of choice and of course I assemble the sandwich with three pieces of bread.

Likewise, you may also make Big Mac sloppy Joe’s with just two buns and any bread you’d like. Either way, this recipe is delicious.

Iceberg Lettuce – I like to get a head of iceberg lettuce and chop it myself. However, feel free to get a bag of shredded lettuce for easier prep-time.

American Cheese – Make sure to get a brand of American cheese that melts well. My personal favorites are; Millers cheese slices, Kraft, Velveeta cheese slices, and Dutch Farm’s.

Special Sauce Ingredients

  • Mayonnaise
  • Ketchup
  • Yellow Mustard
  • White Vinegar
  • Dill Pickles
  • Yellow Onion
  • Seasonings

Mayonnaise – Duke’s Real Mayonnaise is my mayo choice. However, use any kind of mayonnaise you like. Make sure to use real mayonnaise for best taste and creaminess.

Steer clear of Miracle Whip or olive oil mayonnaise, as it won’t provide that authentic Big Mac taste.

Ketchup – Some people like to make Big Mac sauce with just a base of mayonnaise and mustard along with a few other ingredients, like sugar and sweet relish along with spices.

I like to add ketchup and skip the sugar since ketchup already has some in it.

Mayo ketchup mixed with tangy mustard and white vinegar makes the creamiest sauce ever. Flavor definitely isn’t lacking in this dish.

Dill Pickles – You may substitute sweet relish or dill relish in this dish.

However, since I use hamburger dill pickles in this Big Mac Sloppy Joe recipe.

I figured why not, just finely dice a few pickles.

It tastes so much better if you chop your own pickle chips into finely diced relish for this ” secret sauce”.

Yellow Onion – you may use white onion also, make sure to finely dice either onion you choose.

White Vinegar – Is a must for a sauce loaded with delicious flavor. White vinegar paired with other condiments adds just the right amount of sweet and tangy.

Yellow Mustard – Makes the best Big Mac sauce there is, steer clear of Dijon mustard or honey mustard it wont be the same.

Seasonings – A pinch of black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder is all you need. For the best “special sauce” ever!

How to Make Big Mac Sloppy Joes

  1. Chop and prepare veggies – Chop iceberg lettuce and set aside. Finely dice onion and dill pickle chips and set aside until ready to make ” Big Mac sauce”.
  2. Make Big Mac sauce – in a small bowl, add all ingredients for sauce and stir well to combine. Chill ” secret sauce” until ready to use.
  3. Cook ground meat – In a pan on medium heat add ground beef and cook until browned. Drain grease and stir in 1/2 cup Big Mac sauce.
  4. Toast sesame seed buns – This wouldn’t be a copycat McDonald’s Big Mac recipe without toasted buns. Toast in the oven at 375 degrees for 7 minutes or in a toaster. You can skip this step if you’d like, however in a Big Mac recipe the buns are lightly toasted.
  5. Assemble Big Mac Sloppy Joe’s – In this exact order; bottom bun, spoonful of sauce, handful of lettuce, diced onion, American cheese, middle bun, spoonful of sauce, spoonful of ground meat, handful of lettuce, diced onion, pickle chips, spoonful of ground meat, top bun.

More Savory Recipes

Big Mac Sloppy Joe

Yield: 4 sandwiches
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Additional Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes

If you're a fan of McDonald's Big Macs, you will love Big Mac sloppy Joe's. Cheesy, savory, and full of flavor, these sandwiches are delish!

Ingredients

Filling for Big Mac Sloppy Joe's

  • 1.5 pounds lean ground beef
  • 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/4 teaspoon course black pepper
  • 1/2 cup Big Mac sauce

Big Mac Secret Sauce

  • 1 cup Mayonnaise
  • 4 tablespoons ketchup
  • 4 tablespoons dill pickles, finely, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons onions, finely, chopped
  • 4 teaspoons yellow mustard
  • 2 teaspoons white vinegar
  • 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoons onion powder

For Big Mac Sloppy Joe Sandwiches

  • 8 sesame seed buns
  • 2 cups iceburg lettuce, shredded
  • 12 hamburger dill pickle chips
  • 1/4 cup diced onion
  • 4 slices American cheese
  • 1/2 cup Big Mac sauce

Instructions

    1. Chop and prepare veggies - Chop iceberg lettuce and set aside. Finely dice onion and dill pickle chips and set aside until ready to make " Big Mac sauce".
    2. Make Big Mac Sauce - in a small bowl, add all ingredients for sauce and stir well to combine. Chill " secret sauce" until ready to use.
    3. Cook Ground Meat - In a pan on medium heat add ground beef and cook until browned. Drain grease and stir in 1/2 cup Big Mac sauce.
    4. Toast Sesame Seed Buns - This wouldn't be a copycat McDonald's Big Mac recipe without toasted buns. Toast in the oven at 375 degrees for 7 minutes or in a toaster.
    5. Assemble Big Mac Sloppy Joe's - In this exact order; bottom bun, spoonful of sauce, handful of lettuce, diced onion, American cheese, middle bun, spoonful of sauce, spoonful of ground meat, handful of lettuce, diced onion, pickle chips, spoonful of ground meat, top bun.

Notes

  • Best ground meat for Sloppy Joe's, The best ground meat for sloppy Joe's is 85/15 ground beef. The reason is the 15 percent fat keeps the meat moist when cooking and the 85 percent leanness prevents the dish from becoming too greasy.
  • Other types of ground meat, If you'd like to go leaner and make sandwiches with 90/10 ground meat this type works well too.
  • Fattier ground meat, You may also make sloppy Joe's with a fatter kind of beef, if you must. Just be sure to drain excess grease really well, return to the pan, and stir in secret sauce.
  • For more flavor, Make Big Mac Sauce the night before. The longer the flavors marinate the better. Yum!

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