Big Mac sloppy Joes combine the flavor of a fast food Big Mac with the classic loose meat sandwich we've all loved since childhood. It's an easy recipe that hits the spot every time.
I love sloppy Joes, and I love Big Macs, so it just made sense to put them together. This big mac sloppy joe recipe is great because I don't have to worry about flipping burgers and testing for doneness. It's ground beef, so I can just cook and serve.
I also used to make big mac sloppy joes with thousand island dressing but now, using only a few ingredients you likely already have in your own kitchen, you can make a quick homemade sauce that tastes even better.
I stopped using thousand island dressing and I believe you will too.
Big Mac Sloppy Joes
This big mac sloppy joes easy budget recipe was inspired by my Big Mac Pizza. It's another fantastic mashup of two different classics. They're perfect with these tasty sweet potato fries. Also check out our Condiment Recipes for a variety of flavors that make an already delicious dish taste even better!
Or for more Big Mac dishes, try out our delicious Big Mac in a Bowl, Big Mac Crunch Wrap recipes!
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- It uses simple ingredients that anyone can find at their local grocery store.
- It's a super easy recipe that's ready in just a few minutes.
- It's a fun new spin on both the Big Mac and the sloppy Joe.
Top Tip
Don't over cook your ground beef! The biggest mistake people make is cooking their beef into oblivion. As soon as your beef is no longer pink, stop cooking it.
Ingredients
You'll only need some simple ingredients to make this recipe, and they're all at your local grocery store.
The main ingredients are here, but you can find the complete list of ingredients along with amounts in the recipe card at the end of the post.
Meat Mixture
- Ground beef
- Diced onions
Copycat Big Mac Sauce
- Mayonnaise
- Minced dill pickles
- Sugar
- Mustard
- BBQ sauce
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Paprika
Additional Ingredients
- Sesame seed buns
- Cheddar cheese slices
- Sliced dill pickles
- Shredded lettuce
Substitutions and Variations
- Ground Beef - Try ground turkey, chicken, veal, sausage, pork or a blend instead.
- Toasted - Toast your buns before making the sloppy Joes.
- Cheddar Cheese Slices - Use American cheese instead.
- Toast Buns - If desired toast on a rimmed baking sheet, in a preheated oven on broil for a couple minutes or golden brown.
- Spicy - Add a teaspoon of chili pepper flakes, jalapeno powder, smoked jalapeno powder, or chipotle powder to the sauce to imbue heat into the dish. I will also occasionally add a teaspoon of our homemade hot pepper sauce, or use your favorite hot sauce, to the sauce.
Instructions
This recipe is super-easy to make. It only takes a few simple steps and a few minutes. The highlights are here, but you can find the full instructions in the recipe card at the end of the post.
1: Cook the ground beef and onions until the meat is no longer pink in a large skillet, over medium high heat. Drain the grease.
2: Combine all Big Mac sauce ingredients. Then add half the sauce to the ground beef mixture
3: Assemble the Big Mac sloppy Joes and start by placing the bottom buns on a cutting board. End with secret sauce and a top bun
Storage
Refrigerator: Store leftover meat mixture in an air-tight container for up to 3 days.
Freezer: Store the meat mixture in an air-tight, freezer-safe container or heavy-duty freezer bag for up to 2 months.
Reheat: Place the sloppy joe mixture in a saucepan and cook over medium-low heat until heated through.
Make Ahead: Make the sloppy Joe filling ahead of time, then heat in a skillet when ready to serve.
What to Serve with Sloppy Joes
These delicious Big Mac sloppy Joes are perfect with all your favorite burger or sloppy Joe sides. Pair them with things like:
- French fries
- Sweet potato fries
- Tater tots
- Coleslaw
- Mac and cheese
- Baked beans
- Potato salad
- Chips
- Your favorite sandwich sides
For more delicious ideas, check out our list of what to serve with sloppy joes. I'm sure you'll find something you love there!
Tips
- Stop cooking your beef as soon as it's no longer pink. Overcooked ground beef is tough and rubbery.
- If your beef cooled too much while you made your Big Mac sauce, simply heat it up again over medium heat, stirring frequently.
- Let your cheese slices come to room temperature before adding them to the sandwich so the melt more readily.
FAQ
A sloppy Joe is a loose meat sandwich made with ground beef and a sweet and savory tomato sauce, usually containing onions, garlic, and bell peppers.
Many people think it's simply 1000 Island, but it isn't. While it is similar, Big Mac sauce is tangier and has no egg.
80/20 or 90/10 ground beef is optimal. While 80/20 will have a bit more flavor, 90/10 has less fat.
More Big Mac Recipes
Do you like steak? Here some Big Mac recipes you may also like to try.
Big Mac Sloppy Joes
Ready to get cooking? Remember that you can print this recipe if you would like.
Big Mac Sloppy Joes
Ingredients
BIG MAC SAUCE:
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 4 teaspoons ketchup
- 2 tablespoons dill pickle juice
- 1 tablespoon dill pickle minced
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
- 2 teaspoons 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 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 pan on medium heat and cook ground beef for 5 minutes.
- Strain out some excess fat, then add onion, Worcestershire, salt and pepper. 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 beef mixture, lettuce, pickles, Big Mac sauce and the top bun.
- Repeat for the other 3 and serve immediately.
Notes
- Store leftover Big Mac sloppy Joe meat in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the refrigerator, and the Mac sauce for up to 1 week in the refrigerator.
- Toast the buns in the oven before you assemble the sandwiches. It adds a barrier that keeps them from getting soggy.
- Prepare your Big Mac sauce 2-3 days in advance and keep it in the fridge until you make the sloppy Joes.
Nutrition
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