They’re messy in the best way, and totally worth it. My Big Mac Sloppy Joes are loaded with juicy ground beef that is simmered with onions, Worcestershire sauce and simple seasoning, then piled high onto sesame seed buns with crisp lettuce, melty cheddar, tangy pickles and a generous drizzle of homemade Big Mac sauce. If you love the iconic flavors of a Big Mac but want something a little more laid-back and weeknight-friendly this is a must-try.
These sloppy joes come together quickly on the stovetop, making them a quick easy weeknight dinner recipe idea for busy families, casual parties or even game day. A fun, handheld mash-up that’s equal parts nostalgic and satisfying; the best part, the whole family will love them.
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Love McDonald’s Big Mac? Try our Big Mac Tater Tots Casserole, Big Mac Tacos, Big Mac Egg Rolls or our Big Mac Quesadilla.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Quick & Easy: From stovetop to table in under 30 minutes.
- Family-Friendly: Familiar flavors that both kids and adults enjoy.
- No Special Tools: Just a skillet and a whisk for the sauce.
- Customizable: Add more pickles, go bunless or swap the cheese.
- That sauce!: My homemade Big Mac sauce brings it all together- I may be biased, but it’s super authentic!
Ingredients
No complicated shopping list here. Just simple ingredients that deliver big flavor.
See the recipe card below for the exact quantities of each ingredient.
- Ground Beef: We use medium ground beef for maximum flavor, but you can choose your preferred fat content meat.
- Seasonings: Enhances the other ingredients and used to make the Big Mac special sauce.
- Hamburger Buns: Grab your favorite bun for this recipe.
- Cheddar Cheese: Though a Big Mac typically uses American cheese slices, we opted for cheddar. Use whatever you prefer.
For this Big Mac recipe, you'll need a small bowl, whisk, large non-stick pan, spatula and measuring cups and spoons.
Variations
- Ground Turkey: Swap in for a lighter, leaner option. Alternatively, you can try ground chicken too.
- Bun Swap: Use a brioche bun for a softer, sweeter bite or a sesame seed bun for a more classic look.
- Slice of American Cheese: For more of that classic fast food vibe.
- Skip the Lettuce: If you’re serving to picky eaters or kids.
- Add Tomato: For a fresh twist on the traditional Big Mac layers.
How to Make Big Mac Sloppy Joes
See how simple it is to take a classic sloppy Joe and make it fast food inspired.
Make your copycat Big Mac sauce by adding all the ingredients into a small bowl and whisk until combined. Set in the fridge until ready to assemble sloppy joes.
Heat a large skillet on medium heat and cook ground beef for 5 minutes.
Strain out some excess fat, then add chopped onion, Worcestershire, salt and pepper to your meat mixture. Cook for a couple minutes until the beef is fully cooked and no longer pink.
Assemble sloppy Joes by adding a slice of cheese to the bottom bun. Then spoon ¼ of the ground beef mixture, shredded lettuce, pickles, Big Mac sauce and the top bun.
Repeat for the other 3 and serve immediately.
Hint: Lightly toasting your buns first prevents sogginess and adds structure.
Recipe Tips
- Don’t Overcook the Beef: Cook until the beef is no longer pint to aim for tender meat, not dry.
- Shred Your Own Cheese: Shredding your own cheese gives the best melt.
- Let the Sauce Chill: A short rest in the fridge helps flavors of the special sauce develop.
- Serve Immediately: These sandwiches are best hot and fresh from the skillet.
- Switch it Up: This recipe makes 4 large or 6 average sized sloppy Joe’s, alternatively, it makes a great salad topper to make a Big Mac salad!
- Halve the Sauce: The sauce recipe makes enough to generously cover the sandwich plus leftover, you can half the recipe if desired.
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Storage Instructions
- Refrigerator: Place any leftover meat in an airtight container for 3-4 days.
- Freezer: Alternatively, you can place it in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.
- Reheating: To reheat, heat a pan on medium-low heat. Add a little oil if most of the fat was strained out and cook until the meat is warmed. Alternatively, you can add a small amount of broth or water if desired.
Serving Suggestions
- Coleslaw: Our classic coleslaw recipe is a perfect side to go with these sandwiches.
- Mac n Cheese: Try our slow cooker Velveeta mac or our baked white cheddar mac as side options.
- Our Big Mac Menu: Make it a theme and try our Big Mac tater tot casserole, Big Mac tacos, Big Mac egg rolls or our Big Mac quesadilla.
Recipe FAQs
Yes, you can prep the beef mixture and Big Mac sauce in advance. Just reheat and assemble when ready to serve.
Warm the beef on low to medium heat in a skillet with a splash of water to loosen it up. Toast the buns separately.
Nope! It’s mild and tangy. If you want heat, try adding a dash of hot sauce to the sauce or beef.
Yes, just use gluten-free buns and double-check your Worcestershire sauce.
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Big Mac Sloppy Joes
Equipment
- Measuring Cups and Spoons
- Small Bowl
- Whisk
- Spatula
- Large Pan/Skillet
Ingredients
BIG MAC SAUCE:
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 4 teaspoon ketchup
- 2 tablespoon dill pickle juice
- 1 tablespoon dill pickle minced
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
- 2 teaspoon white vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- ½ teaspoon ground pepper
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
SLOPPY JOE:
- 1 pound ground beef medium
- 1 yellow onion small, chopped
- ½ tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- ½ teaspoon ground pepper
- 4 sesame seed buns
- 4 cheddar cheese slices
- pickle slices
- lettuce shredded
Instructions
- Make your copycat Big Mac sauce by adding all the ingredients into a small bowl and whisk until combined. Set in the fridge until ready to assemble sloppy joes.
- Heat a large skillet on medium heat and cook ground beef for 5 minutes.
- Strain out some excess fat, then add chopped onion, Worcestershire, salt and pepper to your meat mixture. Cook for a couple minutes until the beef is fully cooked and no longer pink.
- Assemble sloppy Joes by adding a slice of cheese to the bottom bun. Then spoon ¼ of the ground beef mixture, shredded lettuce, pickles, Big Mac sauce and the top bun.
- Repeat for the other 3 and serve immediately.
Notes
- Lightly toasting your buns first prevents sogginess and adds structure.
- Cook until the beef is no longer pint to aim for tender meat, not dry.
- Shredding your own cheese gives the best melt.
- A short rest in the fridge helps flavors of the special sauce develop.
- These sandwiches are best hot and fresh from the skillet.
- This recipe makes 4 large or 6 average sized sloppy Joe’s, alternatively, it makes a great salad topper to make a Big Mac salad!
- The sauce recipe makes enough to generously cover the sandwich plus leftover, you can half the recipe if desired.
- Nutritional information includes the sauce equally divided by 4 sandwiches, this would change depending on how much you consume.
Nutrition
We would be so grateful for you to leave us a rating and review on any recipes you try. If you make any alterations, let us know how they turned out.
Therese says
My kids loved this recipe. It is on the weekly rotation now.
Eva Filer says
Kid-approved recipes are the best. So happy that yours enjoyed it too. Thanks for the review.
Leanne Neill says
These were super yummy! Easier to make than hamburgers because the ground beef can be cooked all in one pan and you don't have to leave space for flipping patties etc. We will definitely be making again. Thank you.
Eva Filer says
Thank you for the review, I love that you loved them! Simple recipes are where it's at!
Risa says
I love your authentic Big Mac sauce! This recipe looks so tasty and will be a perfect weeknight dinner for my family! Looking forward to trying this!
Eva Filer says
I hope you enjoy it - we really love it. And this recipe is so simple.
Risa says
I love your authentic Big Mac sauce! This recipe looks so tasty and will be a perfect weeknight dinner for my family! Looking forward to trying this!
Eva Filer says
It is the best - we make extra to dip our French fries in too! Enjoy it.
Eva Filer says
These were so delicious. Love how authentic that Big Mac flavor is!