Juicy Big Mac Sloppy Joes
What if I told you that you can have the iconic flavors of a Big Mac without even driving to McDonald’s and for way less money? These Big Mac Sloppy Joes are my go-to recipe when my family craves fast food. I can have them ready in just 20 minutes and for a fraction of what I would pay at the popular chain.
This one-pan recipe is so simple and easy to prepare, making it ideal for a busy weeknight. My Big Mac Sloppy Joe’s are also a big hit on game night. They are always a crowd-pleasing dish that my friends ask me to make. I serve them bar-style so that anyone can fix their own sloppy joe, along with a spread of homemade chicken tenders, honey garlic wings, and crispy veggie chips.
Table of contents
This messy sandwich is comforting, satisfying, and nostalgic, with all the same flavors as the restaurant chain’s original burger. I combine juicy, perfectly seasoned ground beef with a creamy and tangy sauce and serve it on toasted sesame buns with all the Big Mac fixings. I add shredded lettuce, lots of crunchy dill pickles, and cheese. Each bite is hearty and full of textures and flavors!
Why you will love this recipe
- They’re better than the hamburger: They taste better, and they are so much more fun than the authentic Big Mac sandwich.
- The kids love them: Even my pickiest kid loves these sloppy joes. There’s something about a sloppy joe that makes a kid want one.
- I can make them in minutes: It only takes me 20 minutes to make these from scratch!
- It costs less than going out to eat: For less than $20, I can feed the whole family!
What you will need
- The meat: I use 80/20 lean ground beef. I want it to be tasty but not too greasy.
- Veggies: I use finely diced yellow onions and minced garlic cloves; these simple ingredients add flavor to the beef.
- Seasonings: Salt and pepper are all I need.
- Liquids: Thousand Island dressing, Worcestershire sauce, and low sodium beef broth.
- Toppings: I garnish the sandwich with sesame seed buns, cheese slices, shredded lettuce, sliced pickles, and more Thousand Island dressing.
How to make
Brown the beef: First, I cook the ground beef and onions over medium-high heat in a skillet until the meat is browned. Then, I add the garlic and Worcestershire sauce and cook for another minute, stirring well, before draining the grease.
Add dressing: I stir in the Thousand Island dressing, salt, and pepper.
Thicken the sauce: Next, I mix the cornstarch with the beef broth until the cornstarch is completely dissolved. Then, I pour the broth into the pan and stir while cooking on medium-low for another two minutes.
Assemble the sandwich: Now, I put a slice of cheese on the bottom bun before a couple of tablespoons of meat mixture, then top that with another bottom bun, another slice of cheese, and more meat mixture. The toppings go next before adding the top of the bun.
Expert tip
What about Big Mac Sauce?
I used a shortcut in this recipe to make it easier for my followers; I used Thousand Island dressing instead of Big Mac sauce. But I have my version of this delicious sauce for those who want to make it. The recipe is very similar to my Thousand Island dressing recipe. It takes a few minutes to make with mayo, mustard, relish, ketchup, BBQ sauce, apple cider vinegar, onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, and salt. Very easy and inexpensive with basic ingredients that most of us have at home already.
More tips to consider
- Be sure to use the cornstarch slurry so the sauce is thick enough.
- Also, use lean ground beef and drain the excess grease so the buns don’t get soggy.
- Toast the buns to prevent them from getting too moist.
- Remember to use American cheese for the authentic Big Mac flavor.
- Be careful assembling the sandwich for the best flavor.
Recipe variations and add-ins:
- Different meat: For a lighter sandwich, I use ground chicken or turkey, which has fewer calories and less fat.
- Other cheeses: To make these Big Mac sloppy joes unique, it’s fun to try different cheeses like pepper jack, Swiss, or asiago.
- Different toppings: Have it your way by making the toppings different. Try chopped bell peppers, green peppers, avocados, tomatoes, mushrooms, and spinach. Set out extra toppings and let the guests choose their own.
- No Thousand Island: Some people may not like Thousand Island on their burgers. Instead, you could offer some ketchup, mustard, French, or Catalina dressing.
- Toasted buns: Lightly toasting the buns gives these sloppy joes an authentic Big Mac feeling.
Serving suggestions:
I love to serve potatoes with these Big Mac sandwiches. I usually make crispy potato wedges, which are even better. The kids love these air-fried sweet potato fries, which are crunchy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. While, I prefer oven-roasted garlic potatoes.
Do you know what else goes great with this sandwich? My crispy, cheesy mac and cheese balls! My favorite finger food! These are excellent appetizers, too, for game day or parties. These Big Mac sloppy joes are a great combo with this deviled egg potato salad for a picnic or barbecue in the park.
How to store leftovers:
- Refrigerate: To save these, I would keep the sloppy joe mix and buns separate, if possible. Otherwise, the buns will get soggy. The mix will stay fresh in a sealed container in the fridge for up to three days, and the buns will stay fresh for a week.
- Freezing: Pack the meat sauce in a sealed jar or freezer bag, which can be frozen for several months.
- Defrost: Thaw overnight in the refrigerator for the best flavor.
- Reheating: Reheat the sloppy joe mix in a pan for several minutes on medium-low, and then assemble the sandwiches as the instructions say.
Frequently Asked Questions
This can happen if the cornstarch slurry is not used. Some people skip the cornstarch because they think it will make their food taste funny. Do not skip the cornstarch. It is necessary to thicken the sauce so it is not sloppy and stays on the buns.
The moisture from the meat and sauce can soak into the buns, making them too soft and soggy. One way to prevent this is to make sure the sauce is thick enough by using a cornstarch slurry. Another way is to use lean beef, so there is less grease, and drain the excess. Finally, try toasting the buns to make them sturdier. That is what McDonald’s does.
I use 80/20 lean ground beef to get the best-tasting mixture without too much fat. However, after browning, I have to drain much of the grease from the pan. If this is a problem, use leaner ground beef like 85/15 or 90/10. Remember, the less fat there is in the meat, the dryer it will be. Also, as a rule of thumb, always ensure to drain the grease.
First, be sure to use the right seasonings, such as onion and garlic, as well as Thousand Island or Big Mac sauce. Then, make sure the sandwich is stacked correctly. There should be a bottom bun, some sauce, lettuce, a slice of cheese, meat, and pickles before another bottom bun, sauce, lettuce, cheese, meat, pickles, and toppings before the top bun. And make sure the buns have sesame seeds.
More easy family dinners to try:
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Big Mac Sloppy Joes
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 lb lean ground beef
- 1 small yellow onion finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/3 cup Thousand Island Dressing
- 1/2 teaspoon salt or to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper or to taste
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1/2 cup beef broth low sodium
- 8 cheese slices
- 8 sesame seed buns
Toppings:
- Shredded Lettuce
- Thousand Island dressing
- Sliced pickles
Instructions
- Place a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat and add ground beef and onions. Cook, stirring with a wooden spoon, until meat is browned.
- Add garlic and Worcestershire sauce, stir, and cook for one more minute.
- Drain any grease.
- Next, add Thousand Island Dressing and salt and pepper. Stir to combine.
- In a small bowl, combine the cornstarch and beef broth until the cornstarch is fully dissolved.
- Add the broth slurry to the pan and stir until thickened, 1-2 minutes.
- To serve, place a cheese slice on the bottom bun and some of the meat mixture. Top with the bottom bun of another set of buns, and then add more meat mixture. Add another slice of cheese.
- Add the toppings: shredded lettuce, pickles, and Thousand Island Dressing.
- Top with the top of the bun and serve.
Notes
What about Big Mac Sauce?
I used a shortcut in this recipe to make it easier for my followers; I used Thousand Island dressing instead of Big Mac sauce. But I have my version of this delicious sauce for those who want to make it. The recipe is very similar to my Thousand Island dressing recipe. It takes a few minutes to make with mayo, mustard, relish, ketchup, BBQ sauce, apple cider vinegar, onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, and salt. Very easy and inexpensive with basic ingredients that most of us have at home already.More tips to consider
- Be sure to use the cornstarch slurry so the sauce is thick enough.
- Also, use lean ground beef and drain the excess grease so the buns don’t get soggy.
- Toast the buns to prevent them from getting too moist.
- Remember to use American cheese for the authentic Big Mac flavor.
- Be careful assembling the sandwich for the best flavor.
Nutrition