Big Mac Sloppy Joe

These 30-minute Big Mac Sloppy Joes combine the familiar flavors of a Big Mac with the simplicity of a homemade sloppy joe. The creamy special sauce, seasoned ground beef, melted American cheese, crisp lettuce, pickles, and onions come together in a sesame seed bun for an easy dinner the whole family can enjoy.

Recipe Overview

• Quick Dinner: This recipe comes together in about 30 minutes.
• Big Mac Flavor: The special sauce, cheese, pickles, onions, and lettuce recreate the classic burger flavors.
• Easy Weeknight Meal: Serve the sloppy joes with fries for a simple and satisfying dinner.

Ingredients

Mayonnaise: Forms the creamy base of the special sauce.

Sweet Pickle Relish: Adds the signature sweet and tangy flavor to the sauce.

Yellow Mustard: Gives the sauce a little extra tang and helps create that familiar burger flavor.

Garlic and Onion Powder: Season the sauce and add more savory flavor.

Ground Beef: Any fat percentage can work, although lean ground beef with around 90% lean meat will produce less grease.

Yellow Onion: Cook it with the ground beef for extra flavor, then add some fresh diced onion as a topping if desired.

American Cheese: Provides the classic creamy, melty flavor associated with a Big Mac.

Worcestershire Sauce: Adds savory depth to the beef mixture.

Salt and Pepper: Season the sloppy joe filling and balance the flavors.

Sesame Seed Buns: Use sesame seed hamburger buns to give the sandwiches a classic Big Mac-style appearance.

Lettuce: Adds a fresh, crisp topping.

Pickles: Optional, since the sweet pickle relish already adds pickle flavor to the special sauce.

How to Make Big Mac Sloppy Joes

Make the Special Sauce: Combine the mayonnaise, sweet pickle relish, mustard, garlic powder, and onion powder in a bowl. Stir until everything is evenly combined.

Prepare the Buns and Toppings: Toast the sesame seed buns and prepare the lettuce, cheese, pickles, and onions so everything is ready when the beef mixture is finished.

Brown the Beef: Add the ground beef and chopped onion to a large skillet over medium heat. Cook until the beef is completely browned. Drain any excess grease if necessary.

Prepare the Sloppy Joe Filling: Add one-third cup of the special sauce, two slices of American cheese, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper to the skillet. Stir until the cheese melts and coats the beef in a creamy sauce.

Assemble the Burgers: Place lettuce on the bottom half of each toasted bun, followed by a slice of American cheese and one-quarter of the sloppy joe mixture. Add pickles and diced onions, then drizzle with additional special sauce.

Serve: Serve the Big Mac Sloppy Joes immediately with fries or another favorite side.

Substitutions

Special Sauce: Thousand Island dressing can be used as a shortcut. For a homemade-style substitute, combine two tablespoons of mayonnaise with one-third cup of Thousand Island dressing.

Cheese: American cheese gives the most nostalgic flavor and melts smoothly, but mild cheddar or another mild cheese can also be used.

How to Store

Place leftover sloppy joe filling and special sauce in separate airtight containers and refrigerate for up to four days. Reheat the beef mixture before assembling fresh sandwiches.

Sides

• Air Fryer Sliced Potatoes
• BLT Salad with Honey Mustard Dressing
• Mac and Cheese

FAQ

What is Big Mac special sauce made of?

The sauce is commonly associated with ingredients such as mayonnaise, sweet relish, mustard, onion seasoning, and garlic seasoning. This homemade version combines those flavors into a simple sauce that works well with the sloppy joe filling.

What are the layers of a Big Mac?

A classic Big Mac features beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions, and sesame seed buns. This sloppy joe version brings those same flavors together in an easier sandwich format.

Tips & Tricks

Prepare the special sauce and sandwich toppings before cooking the beef. The filling comes together quickly once the meat is browned, so having everything ready makes assembly much easier.

Toast the buns just before serving for better texture, and add the extra sauce according to your taste.