If you're craving the flavor of a Big Mac but want something easy and family-friendly, these Big Mac Sloppy Joes are your answer!
Ready in less than 30 minutes, this fun twist on the classic sandwich combines seasoned beef, tangy pickles, creamy Big Mac sauce, and melted American cheese-all piled onto hamburger buns with crunchy shredded lettuce. It's a delicious homemade version of your favorite drive-thru burger, turned into an easy sloppy joe dinner.
This recipe was inspired by my Copycat Chick-fil-A Chicken Sandwich, another copycat recipe that brings your favorite fast food flavors home. Pair these Big Mac sloppy joes with a side of crispy fries or creamy mac and cheese for a complete easy dinner your whole family will love.
Ingredients needed:
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Ingredient notes:
- Ground beef: Use lean ground beef to cut down on excess grease.
- Thousand Island dressing: This creates the special sauce that gives you that authentic Big Mac taste.
- Diced dill pickles & diced onions: The perfect combo for a classic big mac flavor in every bite.
- American cheese: Melts beautifully on hot meat. Swap for cheddar cheese if you prefer.
- Hamburger buns: Toast the buns lightly for extra texture.
- Shredded lettuce & pickle slices: Don't skip these-they make your sloppy joe taste like the real thing.
Substitutions
- Use ground turkey or ground chicken for a lighter take.
- Swap Thousand Island dressing with homemade Big Mac sauce or your favorite copycat recipes.
- Try brioche or sesame seed buns instead of standard hamburger buns.
How to Make Big Mac Sloppy Joes
This one-pan easy dinner comes together in a large skillet over medium heat-no need to hit the drive-thru.
Step 1
Spray a large skillet and place over medium heat. Add the lean ground beef and cook, breaking it apart, until no pink remains. Drain the excess grease, leaving about 1 tablespoon in the skillet.
Step 2
Add the diced onions and cook over medium heat for 5-10 minutes until soft and translucent.
Step 3
Return the ground beef mixture to the skillet. Sprinkle with salt, pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder. Stir well so the seasoned beef is evenly coated.
Step 4
Add diced pickles, Thousand Island dressing, and mayo to create the secret sauce. Stir to combine, then simmer for 5-10 minutes, stirring frequently, until the sloppy joe mixture is heated through.
Step 5
Spoon the meat mixture onto the bottom half of your hamburger buns. Top each with a slice of American cheese, a handful of shredded lettuce, and a few pickle slices if you like. Place the top bun on top, and your Big Mac sloppy joes are ready to serve!
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How to Store Leftover Big Mac Sloppy Joes
Cool the sloppy joe meat, then store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Storage Tips
- Reheat in the microwave or in a skillet over medium heat until hot.
- Assemble sandwiches fresh each time so the buns and lettuce stay crisp.
- You can also freeze the beef mixture in an airtight container for up to 2 months.
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How to Reheat
- Microwave: Heat the meat mixture in 30-second intervals, stirring in between.
- Stovetop: Reheat in a large skillet over medium heat, stirring until warmed through.
- Toast the buns before serving for the best texture.
How To Make a Wendy's Frosty
Complete your meal with this cool, creamy copycat Wendy's Frosty-the perfect sweet treat to finish off your Big Mac sloppy joes dinner.
Frequently asked questions, answers and tips:
Yes, the sloppy joe mixture can be made 1-2 days in advance. Store in an airtight container and reheat before assembling your sandwiches.
Traditional sloppy joes are made with tomato sauce or ketchup and Worcestershire sauce. These are a fun twist on the classic sloppy joes, swapping in Big Mac sauce for a creamy, tangy flavor.
Definitely! Spoon it over baked potatoes, mix it into mac and cheese, or serve it on slider buns for a party appetizer.
Tips
- Toast the buns to prevent them from getting soggy.
- For a true copycat Big Mac sloppy joe's, sprinkle a little sesame seed on top of the bun.
- Want an extra authentic touch? Add a dash of Worcestershire sauce to the meat mixture for extra depth.
Big Mac Sloppy Joes
Equipment
- Nonstick Skillet
- Wooden Spoon
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Sharp Knife
- Cutting Board
- Slotted Spoon
Ingredients
- 2 lbs lean ground beef
- 1 cup Thousand Island dressing or homemade Big Mac sauce
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 1 cup diced onion
- 1 cup diced dill pickle
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 8 slices American cheese
- Dill pickle slices optional, for topping
- 8 hamburger buns sesame seed buns recommended
- Shredded lettuce for topping
Instructions
- Brown the Ground Beef:
- In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until no longer pink, crumbling as it cooks. Drain the excess grease, leaving about 1 tablespoon in the skillet.
- Cook the Onions:
- Add the diced onions to the skillet and sauté over medium heat for 5-10 minutes, until soft and translucent.
- Season the Beef:
- Return the ground beef to the skillet. Sprinkle with salt, pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder. Stir well to coat the ground beef mixture evenly.
- Add the Sauce:
- Stir in the diced pickles, Thousand Island dressing, and mayonnaise. Simmer over medium-low heat for 5-10 minutes, stirring frequently, until the meat mixture is heated through and well combined.
- Assemble the Sloppy Joes:
- Spoon the meat mixture onto the bottom halves of the hamburger buns. Top each with a slice of American cheese, shredded lettuce, and pickle slices if desired. Place the top bun on top, and serve immediately.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional facts are estimates and are provided as a courtesy to the reader. Please utilize your own brand nutritional values to double check against our estimates. Nutritional values are calculated via a third party. Changing ingredients, amounts or cooking technique will alter the estimated nutritional calculations.
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