Print

Easy Big Mac Sloppy Joes with Homemade Special Sauce

A close-up of a sesame seed bun filled with ground meat sauce, melted cheese, pickles, lettuce, and special sauce for big mac sloppy joes.
Print Recipe
Save Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

Make this Big Mac Sloppy Joes recipe for a quick, comforting weeknight dinner. You get the iconic Big Mac flavor, including the secret sauce, in a simple ground beef filling.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 1.5 pounds lean ground beef
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1/4 cup ketchup
  • 2 tablespoons yellow mustard
  • 1 tablespoon sweet pickle relish
  • 1 teaspoon white vinegar
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons sweet pickle relish (for sauce)
  • 1 tablespoon sweet pickle juice (from jar)
  • 1 teaspoon white vinegar (for sauce)
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder (for sauce)
  • 1/4 teaspoon turmeric (for color, optional)
  • 1/4 cup finely chopped dill pickle chips (for topping)
  • 1/4 cup shredded iceberg lettuce (for topping)
  • 4 slices American cheese (optional)
  • 4 sesame seed hamburger buns

Instructions

  1. Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until soft, about 4 minutes.
  2. Add the ground beef to the skillet. Break it up with a spoon and cook until browned. Drain off any excess grease.
  3. Stir in the salt, pepper, water, ketchup, yellow mustard, 1 tablespoon of sweet pickle relish, 1 teaspoon of white vinegar, paprika, and garlic powder. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
  4. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. This allows the flavors to combine.
  5. While the beef simmers, prepare the Special Sauce. In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons of sweet pickle relish, 1 teaspoon of white vinegar, onion powder, and turmeric (if using). Set aside.
  6. Remove the beef mixture from the heat. If using cheese, place a slice over each portion of meat mixture in the pan and cover briefly until melted.
  7. Lightly toast your sesame seed buns.
  8. To assemble, spoon the ground beef mixture onto the bottom half of each bun. Top with a spoonful of the homemade Special Sauce, a sprinkle of chopped dill pickle chips, and shredded lettuce. Place the top bun on.
  9. Serve immediately.

Notes

  • For a true Big Mac Sloppy Joe experience, serve the mixture open-faced on the bottom bun, topped with sauce, pickles, and lettuce, then place the top bun beside it.
  • You can skip the cheese if you prefer a less messy, more classic Sloppy Joe texture.
  • This recipe makes four servings, but you can easily double the ingredients for a larger batch.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://cookingbyjade.com/big-mac-sloppy-joes-recipe/