Big Mac Sloppy Joes (with Secret Sauce)
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If you’re a fan of Big Macs and sloppy joes you are going to love this fun mash-up of the famous McDonald’s fast food burger and the nostalgic sloppy Joe. Our Big Mac Sloppy Joe recipe is packed with flavor and perfect for an easy dinner the whole family will love.
These easy Big Mac Sloppy Joes are the perfect solution when you’re craving fast food but prefer to make something at home. It’s an easy dinner recipe that’s ready in 30 minutes – perfect for busy weeknight meals, like these easy Asian chicken burgers.
A saucy Big Mac hits the spot every now and then. But if you’re looking to eat a little healthier or trying to save a little money by cutting down on the drive thru visits you may be hesitant to satisfy that craving.
If we need an easy dinner (and we’re avoiding the drive thru), I fire up the crock pot and make a batch of homemade sloppy joes. But sometimes we get a little bored with the same old, same old.
We’re sharing tips to help you get the best results with this recipe. If you don’t need the tips, scroll to the bottom for the full recipe and a printable recipe card.
So I came up with the fun twist of combining a classic sloppy Joe with my favorite fast food burger. Let me tell you, something magical happens with this combo and it becomes a Big Mac sloppy joe with the copycat Mac sauce!
This recipe makes 4 large sandwiches, but you can easily turn these into smaller portions by using regular buns. Or use party size slider buns for more of a finger food option. And just a heads-up, you’ll want to make a double batch of this family favorite so you’ll have leftovers.
If you want more Big Mac style recipes…
…be sure to try these easy recipes. Both are delicious ways to satisfy your Big Mac cravings and use the same secret sauce.
Big Mac Sloppy Joe Ingredients
- lean ground beef – I like using a lean blend because there is less grease to drain. Most of the time I go with 90/10.
- onion – we are going to mix these in with the meat mixture, so dice a little more if you want some for an extra topping.
- Worcestershire sauce – deepens the flavor of the meat.
- dill pickle chips – we use dill because it complements the flavor of the Big Mac sauce without being too sweet.
- minced garlic – if desired, swap for garlic powder.
- homemade Big Mac sauce – my sauce recipe makes 1.5 cups, so you will have leftovers.
- cheddar cheese – we prefer to shred our own cheese because it’s creamier and melts better than the store-bought.
- sesame seed hamburger buns – regular buns can also be used.
- shredded lettuce – iceberg adds a slight crisp and is super refreshing.
Get the complete ingredients & directions in the recipe card below.
How to Make the Big Mac Sloppy Joes Recipe
Cook ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat until browned. Break up the meat with a ChopStir or wooden spoon as it cooks.
Add the chopped onions, Worcestershire sauce, dill pickles, and garlic. Stir frequently and cook until the meat is no longer pink in the middle. Drain the excess grease if needed.
Add the Big Mac sauce and shredded cheese to the ground beef mixture. Cook until the cheese has melted.
Spoon the sloppy Joe mixture onto the bottom bun, top with the shredded iceberg lettuce and ending with the top bun. Drizzle with additional sauce or add more cheese if desired.
Tips for Making Sloppy Joes Big Mac Style
- If the beef is a little fattier, drain it completely then add it back to the pan before stirring in the sauce and cheese.
- The traditional Big Mac burger has American cheese slices on it, but we are using shredded cheese with this recipe. Of course you can top the sloppy Joe with a slice of American cheese to pump up the cheesy goodness if that’s your jam.
- Serve this sloppy Joe recipe on a toasted sesame seed bun to keep in line with the classic Big Mac burger theme. Toasting the bun also adds a nice texture and helps the bun hold up to the filling and toppings better.
- This recipe can easily be doubled or tripled based on the number of people you are feeding.
Recipe Substitutions and Variations
- Ground chicken or ground turkey can be used in place of the beef.
- The copycat Big Mac sauce is made with simple ingredients and takes just 5 minutes to make. If you don’t want to make the homemade special sauce, you can substitute with Thousand Island dressing. It’s not as good as the sauce but works in a pinch.
- We’ve used the large sesame seed buns for heartier sandwiches for teenage appetites. You can use regular, slider, or Hawaiian rolls, keeping in mind the yield will be increased if you are using smaller buns.
Can you make this recipe ahead of time?
The filling can be prepared up to 3 days in advance and stored in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to serve, warm the mixture up over low to medium heat and toast the buns.
For parties, you can pre-cook the filling and keep it warm in a slow cooker. Then set up the toppings and buns so guests can serve themselves.
What to Serve With Sloppy Joes
These go great with a simple salad such as country potato salad or my favorite pasta salad, which also happen to be great side dishes for cookouts. Of course, you can always serve them with French fries, tater tots, chips, or onion rings for a quick weeknight meal.
How to Store Leftover Sloppy Joes
Keep the leftover sloppy joe filling in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a skillet or in the microwave. Add a little water to loosen up the meat mixture if it seems a little dry.
Can I freeze the filling?
Once the mixture has cooled completely, transfer it to a freezer bag or container. It will stay fresh in the freezer for up to 2 months. Vacuum sealing works great for this recipe if you have one.
Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating on the stovetop.
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Big Mac Sloppy Joes
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- ¼ cup chopped white onion
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 4-6 dill pickle chips, chopped
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- ½ cup Big Mac sauce
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- sesame seed hamburger buns
- chopped iceberg lettuce for topping
Instructions
- Place the ground beef in a large skillet and break up the meat with a spoon or mix & chop tool.1 pound lean ground beef
- Add the onion, Worcestershire sauce, pickles, and garlic.¼ cup chopped white onion, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, 4-6 dill pickle chips, 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- Cook over medium heat, stirring often, until the meat is browned throughout.
- Reduce the heat to medium-low and drain excess fat if needed.
- Add the Big Mac sauce and the shredded cheddar to the beef mixture.½ cup Big Mac sauce, 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- Stir and continue cooking until the entire mixture is combined and heated through and the cheese is melted.
- Serve the beef mixture on sesame seed buns and top with iceberg lettuce, and additional Big Mac sauce and shredded cheddar, if desired.sesame seed hamburger buns, chopped iceberg lettuce for topping
Notes
- Substitute ground chicken or turkey in place of the ground beef.
- For best melting and flavor, we recommend using freshly grated cheese.
- Though it won’t have the same rich flavor, substitute bottled Thousand Island dressing for the special sauce.
- Store leftover meat mixture in an airtight container for 2-3 days in the refrigerator. Reheat in the microwave or in a skillet over medium heat, stirring often. Stir in a little broth or water if it’s too thick.
Nutritional Estimate
Nutritional information is provided as a reference, using an online calculator. We recommend verifying the information independently for accuracy.
