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These Big Mac Sloppy Joes pack all the signature flavors of the famous burger into a homemade version you can whip up any night of the week! The iconic special sauce, melty American cheese, and familiar toppings create a meal that rivals the drive-thru original.
These Big Mac Sloppy Joes combine two American classics in one crowd-pleasing package! The familiar special sauce—tangy, creamy, and instantly recognizable—meets seasoned ground beef in sloppy joe style, where messiness is embraced rather than trying to contain it!
The double-decker construction honors the original Big Mac sandwich with layers of beef, cheese, fresh lettuce, and those essential pickle chips that create a balance of flavors and textures in every bite (but you can also skip this and just make them single layers).
It’s fast food made at your kitchen table—ready in about 30 minutes, appealing to picky eaters and food enthusiasts alike, and simple enough to become a regular in your weeknight rotation. There’s something undeniably fun about diving into a sandwich that needs a stack of napkins nearby!
Nikki’s Recipe Rundown
- Taste: Just like biting into a Big Mac—tangy sauce, cheesy goodness, and seriously tasty.
- Texture: Juicy, saucy beef meets crunchy lettuce and pickles
- Ease: Simple skillet cooking, easy to put together, no-fuss dinner.
- Pros: Family-friendly, budget-friendly, and satisfies that fast-food craving at home.
- Considerations: Best eaten right away—it’s way better, hot and fresh!
- Recipe Worthy: Absolutely! This homemade favorite is already on repeat at our house.
Ingredients Needed for Big Mac Sloppy Joes
- Big Mac Sauce: To make a homemade big mac sauce, you will need mayo, sweet relish, yellow mustard, white vinegar, paprika, granulated onion, and garlic powder.
- Ground Beef: Ground beef is best for a hearty, savory, sloppy joe filling!
- Onion: Onion adds an extra depth of flavor to the meat mixture and is also added to the big mac sloppy joes for a bit of crunch!
- Kosher Salt & Ground Black Pepper: Add to taste.
- Worcestershire Sauce: Worcestershire sauce adds umami flavor to the beef!
- American Cheese: It is best to use American or processed cheese slices as they melt to a smooth creaminess when added to the beef.
- Sesame Seed Hamburger Buns: Sesame seed buns make these sloppy joes look just like a classic big mac!
- Iceberg Lettuce: For a fresh crunch that balances out the savory flavors.
- Pickles: Add a classic tangy bite! I like using dill pickle chips, but you can use your favorite pickle chips here.
Variations and Substitutions
- Lighter version: Use ground turkey or ground chicken instead of beef, and light mayonnaise in the sauce. In this case, you will need to add 2 teaspoons of oil to the skillet when frying the meat.
- Spice: Add diced jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce to the meat mixture.
- Dairy-free option: For a dairy-free version, simply skip the American cheese.
- Low-carb: Serve in lettuce cups instead of buns for a keto-friendly meal.
How To Make The Best Big Mac Sloppy Joes
✱ Be sure to see the recipe card below for exact ingredients and full recipe instructions!
Step 1 | Make the Sauce
In a small bowl, make the Big Mac sauce by combining the mayonnaise, relish, mustard, vinegar, paprika, dehydrated onion, and garlic powder. Set aside.
Step 2 | Prep the Meat
In a large skillet, over medium-high heat, add the ground beef, ½ cup of the onion, salt, and pepper. Fry until the meat is no longer pink.
Add the Worcestershire sauce and stir ½ cup of the Big Mac sauce into the beef mixture.
Add one slice of American cheese to the beef mixture and stir until melted and creamy.
Reduce the heat to low to keep the beef warm while assembling the sandwiches.
Step 3 | Toast the Buns
Remove the tops of 4 of the hamburger buns. You will be left with 8 bottom buns and 4 top buns. Toast them lightly.
Step 4 | Assemble & Serve
Place 4 bottom buns on a tray and spread them with some Big Mac sauce.
Next, add some lettuce and some of the remaining diced onion.
Place 1 slice of cheese over each of the sandwiches.
Spoon a heaping amount of the beef mixture over each sandwich using a 1/3 cup measuring cup.
Top with the remaining 4 bottom buns and continue the order of assembly, spreading the Big Mac sauce over each bun, adding the lettuce and onions.
Next, add the pickle chips (about 4 per sandwich).
Add the remaining heaping 1/3 cup beef mixture to each sandwich, and top with the sesame seed-coated top bun.
Serve while still warm and enjoy!
Recipe Tips
- Toast the buns well to prevent them from getting soggy! With so many layers of ingredients, they need to hold up well while eating.
- To prepare some of this recipe ahead of time, you can make the sauce and beef mixture and refrigerate it up to one day ahead of time! The sauce will actually get better after chilling for one day.
- Big Mac sloppy joes are built with lots of layers for the Big Mac experience. However, if you prefer, you can skip the middle layer and serve them with just two buns.
- Serve with plenty of napkins—they’re called sloppy for a reason!
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Recipe FAQs
While similar, Big Mac sauce is not Thousand Island dressing! The sauce does not contain ketchup, which is one of the main ingredients in Thousand Island. I would avoid substituting the sauce for any bottled dressing since this homemade sauce has so much flavor!
Most kids love these sloppy joes, but you can reduce the amount of onions or pickles for pickier eaters!
Storage
Storage: Store leftover meat mixture in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat thoroughly in the microwave or on the stovetop before assembling fresh sandwiches. The special Big Mac sauce can be refrigerated separately for up to a week and used on other sandwiches or as a dip.
Freeze: You can freeze any beef mixture that has not already been assembled into a sandwich! Simply place the beef into an airtight container and freeze for up to 3 months.
What to Serve with Big Mac Sloppy Joes
These hearty Big Mac Sloppy Joes pair perfectly with crispy french fries, sweet potato fries, or onion rings for the complete fast-food experience at home. For a lighter meal, serve with a cucumber tomato salad or coleslaw to balance the richness, corn on the cob, or set out a platter of fresh veggies and dill pickle dip for a family-friendly dinner that satisfies all cravings.
These sandwiches also make great party food for game days or casual gatherings when you need a crowd-pleasing option that’s substantial enough to keep everyone satisfied!
Other Recipes to Try
- Big Mac Tater Tot Casserole
- Philly Cheesesteak Sloppy Joes
- Ground Chicken Burgers
- Pizza Sloppy Joes
- French Dip Sliders
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Big Mac Sloppy Joes
Ingredients
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- ½ cup sweet relish
- 3 teaspoons yellow mustard
- 1 ½ teaspoons white vinegar
- ¾ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon dehydrated (granulated) onion
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 ½ pounds ground beef, 85% lean
- 1 cooking onion, finely diced, divided
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 5 slices American cheese
- 8 sesame seed hamburger buns
- 2 cups shredded iceberg lettuce
- pickle chips
Instructions
- In a small bowl, make the Big Mac sauce by combining the mayonnaise, relish, mustard, vinegar, paprika, dehydrated onion, and garlic powder. Set aside.
- In a large skillet, over medium-high heat, add the ground beef, ½ cup of the onion, salt, and pepper. Fry until the meat is no longer pink.
- Add the Worcestershire sauce and stir ½ cup of the Big Mac sauce into the beef mixture.
- Add one slice of American cheese to the beef mixture and stir until melted and creamy.
- Reduce the heat to low to keep the beef warm while assembling the sandwiches.
- Remove the tops of 4 of the hamburger buns. You will be left with 8 bottom buns and 4 top buns. Toast them lightly.
- Place 4 bottom buns on a tray and spread them with some Big Mac sauce.
- Next, add some lettuce and some of the remaining diced onion.
- Place 1 slice of cheese over each of the sandwiches.
- Spoon a heaping amount of the beef mixture over each sandwich using a 1/3 cup measuring cup.
- Top with the remaining 4 bottom buns and continue the order of assembly, spreading the Big Mac sauce over each bun, adding the lettuce and onions.
- Next, add the pickle chips (about 4 per sandwich).
- Add the remaining heaping 1/3 cup beef mixture to each sandwich, and top with the sesame seed-coated top bun.
- Serve while still warm.
Want to Save this Recipe?
Enter your email below & we’ll send it straight to your inbox. Plus you’ll get great new recipes from us every week!
By submitting this form, you consent to receive emails from Soulfully Made.
Notes
- If you are using a leaner type of ground beef, such as 90% lean, you will need to add 2 teaspoons of oil to the skillet when frying the meat.
- You will have 4 leftover top buns. So they don’t go to waste; keep them for later use when making a sandwich.
- We made these layered like a big mac, you could also serve in one bun like a standard sloppy joe. They will stretch further or if you have little ones they might not need a double decker.
Nutrition Information
Nutritional Disclaimer
Soulfully Made is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is only an estimate. We recommend running the ingredients through an online nutritional calculator if you need to verify any information.
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