Big Mac Sloppy Joes combine the flavor of the big mac secret sauce and classic sloppy joes. This easy to make weeknight dinner recipe is sure to be a hit if you love sloppy joes.
If you enjoy a good sloppy joe but want something a little different, then try my tater tot sloppy joe casserole or my Wimpie sliders.
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Why this Big Mac Sloppy Joes Recipe is a Keeper
I love this recipe because it’s a super easy meal that’s also delicious. It is a true family favorite. You will definitely want to add this one to your stash of easy dinner recipes.
- 30 Minute Meal: This fast food inspired sandwich is a quick, easy weeknight dinner recipe!
- Simple Ingredients: This non traditional sloppy joe uses common ingredients you often have on hand. Just ground beef, buns and a few other simple ingredients.
- Family Favorite: Everyone in the family loves homemade big mac sloppy sandwiches, making it a go-to meal that tastes just like a big mac.
- Makes Great Leftovers: The leftovers are just as good, if not better!
Why is it called a Big Mac?
The beloved Big Mac sandwich is called that because it’s extra big and bold! The name was coined when they needed a catchy name for the burger when it was new.
Ingredient Notes to Make Big Mac Sloppy Joes
To make this recipe, you will need just a few easy ingredients. If you don’t already have these ingredients in your kitchen, they can all easily be found at the store.
- Ground Beef: Lean ground beef is perfect for big mac sloppy joe’s so that you don’t end up with greasy sandwiches.
- Worcestershire Sauce: To add some savory tangy flavor use Worcestershire sauce.
- Burger Seasoning Blend: Rather than just seasoning your ground beef mixture with salt and pepper, try making your own Burger Seasoning.
- Dill Pickle Chips: Rather than trying to slice up pickle spears, use dill pickle chips for the perfect big macs and fir better on the buns.
See the recipe card below for a complete list of the ingredients with measurements.
Prep Ahead Suggestions for the Best Sloppy Joes
Preparing a recipe ahead of time can be the best way to go! Make the copycat big mac sauce and ground beef in advance to be able to enjoy it whenever you’d like.
- Prep Ingredients: Prepare the sloppy joe mixture and Homemade Big Mac Sauce in advance. Slice your buns and have them ready. Assemble the sesame seed sandwiches right before serving so they don’t get soggy.
Fun Fact about Copycat Recipe for Big Mac Sauce
For the most authentic Big Mac Sauce flavor, use grated onion instead of chopped onion.
How to Make Homemade Sloppy Joes Mix
This recipe comes together in 3 easy to follow steps. This easy sloppy joes recipe with big mac sauce recipe is so good, you’ll want to add it to your weekly meal rotation!
These are the basic steps for making Big Mac Sloppy Joes. Refer to the full, printable recipe card below for detailed instructions.
1. Cook the Sloppy Joe Meat
Add the ground beef, onion, Worcestershire sauce and Burger Seasoning to a large skillet over medium heat. Break up the beef and cook until it’s no longer pink. Drain fat from the skillet and set aside.
2. Make the Big Mac Sauce
Add mayonnaise, ketchup, relish, white vinegar, onion powder, paprika and All Purpose Seasoning to a bowl and combine. Add half of the sauce mixture to the beef mixture in the skillet and stir to combine.
3. Assemble Sandwiches
Spread some sauce on the bottom hamburger bun, then top with shredded lettuce, American cheese, meat mixture and three pickles. Spread a coating of sauce on the bottom buns and place on top of each sandwich.
How to Store, Reheat and Use Leftover Sloppy Joes with Secret Sauce
- Storing: Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Be sure to store the meat and McDonald’s big mac sauce separately.
- Reheating: Reheat big mac sloppy joe mixture in the microwave. You can also reheat leftover big mac sloppy joe in a pot on the stove.
- Using Leftovers: Enjoy leftovers with Charcuterie Skewers or a delicious big mac salad!
Variations and Substitutions the Big Mac and Pickle Sandwich
This recipe is super easy to customize to make it your own! Try taking it to the next level by adding some spice to the sauce ingredients or enjoying it different ways.
- Spicy Big Mac: Add a dash of hot sauce, a pinch of cayenne pepper, or diced jalapeños to this old fashioned sloppy joe recipe when you brown your ground beef.
- Sloppy Joe Tacos: Serve the mixture in warm tortillas with your favorite toppings.
- Big Mac Nachos: Pile the mixture on top of tortilla chips with cheese, jalapenos, and other toppings for different sloppy joes.
Recipe FAQs
Some great sides for sloppy joes include Cream Style Corn, Orange Jello Salad or Creamy Parmesan Polenta.
Use a lean ground beef and other low fat and low calorie ingredients to make this recipe healthier.
Yes! Try using different ground meats like ground turkey sloppy joes or ground chicken sloppy joes with the creamy sauce.
Expert Tips for Making This Recipe
- Extra Flavor: Add a touch of brown sugar or a pinch of chili powder to the sloppy joe mixture.
- Creative Toppings: Add diced tomatoes, chopped onions, or even a dollop of mustard for extra flavor.
- Buns: The classic Big Mac has 3 buns. Use a bottom bun on the bottom, add some meat, use another bottom bun, add more meat and then the top bun for delicious big mac sloppy joes.
- Sauce: Make extra for dipping fries or onion rings for burgers during the week. Make the sauce recipe while you brown the ground beef to save time.
- Short Cut: If you don’t want to make homemade big mac special sauce, you can use thousand island dressing or French dressing to make sure it still tastes like a big mac.
Big Mac Sloppy Joes
Video
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Ingredients
Meat Mixture
- 1 ½ pounds Ground beef, 85/15 mix
- ½ medium Onion, finely diced
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 ½ teaspoons Burger Seasoning Blend
Sauce
- 1 cup Mayonnaise
- ¼ cup Ketchup
- ¼ cup Sweet pickle relish
- 1 tablespoon White vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Onion powder
- 1 teaspoon Paprika
- ⅛ teaspoon All Purpose Seasoning Blend
Sandwiches
- 6 Sesame seed buns, brioche
- 1 cup Iceberg lettuce, shredded
- 4 slices American cheese
- 18 Dill pickle chips
Instructions
Meat Mixture
- Add the ground beef, onion, Worcestershire sauce and Burger Seasoning blend to a skillet over medium heat
- Carefully break up the beef into crumbles and cook until meat has cooked through and is no longer pink. Drain excess fat from the skillet and set aside.
Sauce
- Add mayonnaise, ketchup, relish, white vinegar, onion powder, paprika and All Purpose Seasoning to a bowl and whisk until completely combined. This can be done up to 24 hours in advance.
Sandwiches
- Add half of the sauce mixture to the meat and stir to combine.
- Assemble the sandwiches. Spread a coating of sauce on the bottom bun, top with lettuce, American cheese, meat mixture and three pickles. Spread a coating of the sauce on the bottom of the top bun and place on top of each sandwich
Christina’s Notes
- Extra Flavor: Add a touch of brown sugar or a pinch of chili powder to the sloppy joe mixture.
- Creative Toppings: Add diced tomatoes, chopped onions, or even a dollop of mustard for extra flavor.
- Buns: The classic Big Mac has 3 buns. Use a bottom bun on the bottom, add some meat, use another bottom bun, add more meat and then the top bun for delicious big mac sloppy joes.
- Sauce: Make extra for dipping fries or onion rings for burgers during the week. Make the sauce recipe while you brown the ground beef to save time.
- Short Cut: If you don’t want to make homemade big mac special sauce, you can use thousand island dressing or French dressing to make sure it still tastes like a big mac.
- Scale the recipe: Simply adjust the serving size in the recipe card and the ingredients will update automatically.
- Make your own All Purpose Seasoning: When a recipe calls for All Purpose Seasoning, you can use my homemade All Purpose Seasoning recipe or substitute salt and pepper to taste.
- Meat doneness: I always use a meat thermometer to test for doneness when cooking meat.
- Use unsalted butter: I use unsalted butter so I can control the salt level in the recipe.
- Preheat the oven: Unless otherwise noted, always preheat your oven before baking.
For more helpful information about this recipe, such as variations, substitutions and other pro-tips, check out the blog post.