Big Mac Sloppy Joes are a delicious one pan meal with a McDonald’s Big Mac Secret Sauce Copycat made in 30 minutes. You’ll never need the drive-thru again.
We love Classic Sloppy Joes on this site so much I made over 25 versions of Sloppy Joe Recipes you all have enjoyed. I’ve gotten emails every week since the Sloppy Joe series ended asking for more Joes. Well, I have some new ones up my sleeve!
BIG MAC SLOPPY JOES (W/ SECRET SAUCE)
Big Macs are a nostalgic memory but we don’t often find ourselves going through the drive-thru. Not for noble reasons, but usually because we’re buried under delicious blog food. This is part of the reason I enjoy making Copycat Recipes so much, we get to enjoy the flavors of eating out without any of the actual going to fast food restaurants.
This sloppy joe recipe came about pretty randomly as most of them do. I was pretty deep into a project of recreating restaurant sauces that I’ve been working on for months (so many copycat sauces are coming soon!). Once I had the McDonald’s secret big mac sauce recipe recreated I figured I should do something with it.
I thought about making a simple big mac copycat, but since my brain is pre-wired for all things ground beef and saucy I decided this recipe was the way to go. I normally use brioche buns for all my sloppy recipes but given the copycat feel of this recipe a sesame seed bun seemed to be the right way to go.
How to serve Big Mac Sloppy Joes:
You could absolutely serve this as a single layer sandwich, just like every other version of them on the site. No one would fault you for it, you’d save extra carbs. In fact here is how a single decker sandwich would look:
But if you’re going for the gold, I highly recommend making this a true double decker sandwich.
And most importantly let’s remember the stacking order!
From the bottom up:
- Bun bottom
- Secret Sauce
- Lettuce
- American Cheese
- Meat
- Bun Bottom
- Secret Sauce
- Lettuce
- Pickles
- Meat
- Bun Top
MORE DELICIOUS SLOPPY JOES RECIPES:
Ultimate Sloppy Joes
Philly Cheese Steak Sloppy Joes
Bacon, Beer and Cheese Sloppy Joes
Chicken Bacon Ranch Sloppy Joes
How to Make Big Mac Sloppy Joes:
- Brown your ground beef halfway in your large skillet then add in the chopped onions, salt and pepper.
- Cook the beef until fully browned then add in the chopped pickles and stir.
- Add in the McDonald’s Copycat Big Mac Sauce and stir well.
- Cook 1 additional minute then serve on sesame hamburger bun (stacking order above).
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Want to skip the secret sauce?
- You can swap out Thousand Island Dressing instead of the secret sauce – add in additional mayonnaise to make it creamier (about 1/4 cup).
- Use mayonnaise and ketchup (1/2 and 1/2)
- Use Fry Sauce or other secret sauces they sell on the market.
MORE KID FAVORITE RECIPES:
Tater Tot Casserole
Frito Pie
Bacon Cheeseburger Meatloaf
Ultimate Slow Cooker Pot Roast
McDonald’s Secret Big Mac Sauce:
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup French dressing
- 2 tablespoons sweet relish
- 1 tablespoon ketchup
- 1 teaspoon white vinegar
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- Mix ingredients well.
- Refrigerate for 24 hours before using for best (and most authentic) taste.
What kind of Ground Beef:
- I used 85/15 ground beef in this recipe (this is what I use in all my sloppy joe recipes) because it is just the right fat percentage to provide enough moisture and fat to cook the onions without leaving too much grease in the pan that you need to drain it.
- If you’re using a fattier ground beef, be sure to drain any excess fat before adding in your sauce or the sauce will be oily and break.
- If you prefer to go leaner you can do that too. You can also swap in ground chicken or ground turkey for the ground beef.
How to Store:
- Serve: You can keep the meat at room temperature for up to 2 hours.
- Store: Store leftovers in a refrigerator for up to three days in a sealed airtight container.
- Freeze: Allow to cool completely and freeze in air-tight container for up to 3 months.
Big Mac Sloppy Joes
Ingredients
Ground Beef Mixture
- 1 1/2 pounds ground beef , (85/15)
- 1/2 yellow onion , finely chopped
- 1/4 cup hamburger pickles , chopped
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon coarse ground pepper
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
McDonald's Secret Sauce Recipe:
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup French dressing
- 2 tablespoons sweet relish
- 1 tablespoon ketchup
- 1 teaspoon white vinegar
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
To Assemble (Double Decker):
- 8 hamburger buns , (with seeds)
- 2 cups iceberg lettuce , shredded
- 12 hamburger pickle chips
- 4 slices American cheese
- Additional sauce , optional
Instructions
-
Brown your ground beef halfway, about 3-4 minutes, in your large skillet then add in the chopped onions, salt, pepper and Worcestershire sauce.
-
Cook the beef until fully browned, about 3-4 minutes, then add in the chopped pickles and stir.
-
Mix the McDonald's Copycat Big Mac Sauce ingredients in a medium bowl and stir well.
-
Add 1 cup of the secret sauce to the pan, reserve the rest for your buns.
-
Cook 1 additional minute then serve on sesame hamburger bun (stacking order in notes below).
Recipe Notes
Stacking order from the bottom up:
- Bun bottom
- Secret Sauce
- Lettuce
- American Cheese
- Meat
- Bun Bottom
- Secret Sauce
- Lettuce
- Pickles
- Meat
- Bun Top
I made these tonight for my husband and I who both love a big mac but not so much bread. These were delicious! If your looking for a yummy big mac without so many calories, here is your recipe. It is very simple to make and so good!!!
Thanks for the 5 star rating, Maria. Glad to have helped with a craving.
making these tonight but I won’t be using plastic cheese, going to use real cheese. don’t understand Americans and this nasty plastic fake cheese.. just use actual cheese.. nevertheless they look good and I’m excited to try them out
I don’t see anywhere in the recipe to use plastic cheese. It says American cheese. That is not plastic cheese. To each his/her own. I for one do not like cheddar cheese on a sandwich if it is to be melted. To me that turns to plastic. I can’t wait to make this.
I made these last night, HUGE hit! My daughter and husband loved them.
Made these tonight, a HUGE hit!!! Soo good!!
Thanks for sharing! ????
THIS IS A FIVE STAR MEAL – Follow instructions to the t and you won’t be disappointed!!
Thanks Robin!
This was so good. My husband loved it. I didn’t make doubles just singles but oh so good.
sounds so good I can’t wait to try it.
Made over wkend, fantastic! My husband and I loved it! Great taste, fulfilled big mac attack! Followed all your directions. Loved sauce. What a terrific recipe! Thank you. Will make again. Gratefully Cindy
What would be the kind of pickle to use?
Dill pickles 🙂
omg…just looking at the picture just made my mouth water!
This was easy and fabulous! I could eat the sauce all by itself!
I had this recipe in my files for awhile. Let me tell you it is absolutely amazing, dead on with the special sauce and the whole family loved it!! GREAT RECIPE
Hi! I was wondering if you could use miracle whip instead of mayo?
It’ll adjust the flavor but if you’re ok with that, then go ahead. Enjoy!
This is the second time I’ve made these! They are super easy and so good! Thank you!
Glad to know it’s such a hit!
These are delicious! The whole family loved them.
My husband kept saying these smelled amazing while these were cooking. He was almost done with his when I sat down to start mine. These are messy but taste amazingly similar to Big Macs. Can’t wait to eat the leftovers tomorrow!
Made these as sliders…. absolutely delicious!
So good! Couldn’t believe special sauce tasted so authentic!
Tastes just like a Big Mac! It was tasty and I would make it again
Delicious!! Will definitely make again!!
Huge hit in our house!
Wow this recipe was easy and my family loved it, it truly tasted like a Big Mac, will be making this again!
Delish! They really were remarkably similar to Big Macs. It’s definitely a keeper!
Love this! Messy but delicious.
I definitely recommend lots of napkins or paper towels handy, haha!
What brand of mayo?
You can use whatever brand you prefer. I like using Best Foods.
Very tasty. I used two pounds of burger and it was still plenty saucy – sauce would’ve been really overpowering with just 1.5 pounds. Three of the five in the family loved them, two didn’t because of the pickles. I bet they’ll taste even better tomorrow.
Super yummy and easy to make! We’ve been eating at home more and really watching our diets. This was a nice home made break from healthy food but we could still control our calories with lean meat, and less secret sauce……did I mention the secret sauce was heavenly?
I’m so glad you choose this meal as your “break”, haha! Definitely a winner!
This is awful. Dumped the whole pan. Don’t waste your time.
apparently that was just your opinion by the comments I just read!
This is a great recipe. I am making it again tonight, but, I’m cheating and using marzetti thousand Island dressing. Tastes like a Big Mac Love It!
No shame in a shortcut! So glad you love it so much.
I am a huge Bug Mac fan. Made this for dinner last night. Hubby and I both loved it! Thank you for sharing. We will definitely be making this again
That would be Big Mac fan … haha
You’re welcome, Tisha.
This is hands down the closest I’ve ever come to creating a Big Mac – it’s absolutely delicious!
I’ve made this twice now, and the second time I used the Watties Burger Sauce (I am from New Zealand, so this probably is only available in NZ and AUS) instead of making the sauce from scratch, but it still tastes the same. Similarly, I am gluten-free, so just swapped out the buns for GF buns, and it still tasted just like the real thing. Thanks for such a great recipe!
Awesome. Thanks for coming back to let me know, Sasha. So glad yo enjoyed it.
Will you recommend a French dressing please? There are so many available and I would like to know which you used. Thanks
Wishbone! Ken’s is good too though. Wishbone got me the exact flavor though.
Which Wish-Bone? Creamy or Sweet & Spicy? This looks yummy! I think my dad will love this.
Creamy 🙂 Hope he loves it!
Glad I read this. The first I got the wrong French dressing (It was good but not Big Mac good) and this time I ended up with Wishbone creamy. Can’t wait to try In a few minutes
Craving a Big Mac and made this – my family LOVED it! Used Catellina dressing because I had no French and didn’t let it sit 24 hrs (couldn’t wait) Also used dill pickles and added more raw onions in the mix. It was fabulous! Shared 🙂
Thanks for the substitution suggestions, Terri.
How much Thousand Island should you use with the 1/4c mayo?
1 tablespoon
EXCELLENT! My crew loved them. And such a fun twist on a classic sloppy joe twist! Definitely making again!
Thanks for the 5 stars, Sarah. So glad your crew loved it!
Really good! Will definitely make again. Used dill relish since that’s all I had. Will try with sweet relish next time.
So glad you enjoyed it! This is secretly one of my favorite recipes on the site!
Damn, my wife who is always suspicious of my cooking absolutely loved this one!!!
Hooray! I’m so thrilled to hear it!
These were SO GOOD!!!! Tonight was gonna be tacos….My crew was disappointed at first. Until their first bites that is!! My fellas voted this a definite do-again. Thank you!!!
YAY! I am so glad to hear it. I know this one at first is like a “waaaaait a second, I’m not sure about this.” But then once you take a bite you’re like, yes please. Have you tried the Western Bacon Sloppies? Those are my favorite, hands down.
OMG So good! My whole family loved them!!!!!
Tasted JUST like a big mac. So good. My boyfriend, not a big-mac-fanatic like me, also loved it.
I didn’t have white vinegar, so used a touch of seasoned rice vinegar instead. It worked fine.
Thanks for the 5 stars, Amy.
I made this for lunch and it was delicious. Mine came out a bit salty so I’ll omit the salt next time… but this is definitely a keeper. Thank you!
I’m making these tonight but question? Do I have to wait 24 hours for the sauce to be ready or can I just use it right after I make it? What is the difference.
The flavors get better with meshing together longer. No shame in using it right away though.
Absolutely wonderful! I was craving a Big Mac but our city is more or less in lockdown so I was able to satisfy my craving with this beauty! Thanks so much for posting! This is going in my “favorites” recipe box!
So glad you enjoyed it! I’m all about comfort food right now.
Absolutely dynamite!! This one is definitely going into the dinner rotation!
Big Mac sauce does not use french dressing..the pink color comes from paprika which was revealed by a McDonald’s executive chef 8 years ago on the today show.. Sabrina’s recipe is a 40 year old outdated copycat recipe…also the real recipe includes garlic powder
and your point is? Nobody said you had to read it, make it or eat it.
It was delicious! I cut the recipe in half and it was still too much for the 2 of us.
Do you know how many carbs wthout the buns?? I’m doing atkins. I’d use lettuce leaves and as many sugar free condiments as possible.
I’m sorry but I’m not sure. You might be able to find an online tracker to help.
Excellent but next time I’d make it into burgers Too messy
Made this for supper for hubby and I, was really good, definitely a keepet
So glad you both love it!
These Big Mac Sloppy Joe’s are a MUST try! I followed the recipe as written very very good! Thank you for a wonderful recipe!
You’re welcome, Jenny.
I made these yesterday & they turned out perfect! Definitely a go-to recipe for those days I’m craving a burger that’s better than McDonalds.
Side note: When toasting your burger buns, use mayo instead of butter. It gives that “little something” extra to an already indulgent burger.
Thank-you for taking the time to perfect this recipe so that our tastebuds may reap the rewards!
This is a great recipe. Each member of the family said it tasted just like a big mac.
Very sloppy, just like any sloppy joe.
Yay!! Thanks for the 5 star rating, Benjamin.
I have a picky eater and it went over really well! Thank you for a great option!
I know how hard they can be to please. So happy they enjoyed it too.
If you skip the sauce and use the dressing, do you add the mayonnaise to the whole bottle?
I think I would mix the onion and pickles and make burgers. Less messy?
Sounds great!
Tried this and my family loved it!
I’m so happy to see this!
Loved this thanks for sharing!
Always crave a Big Mac but once I bite into their burger itself ruins the whole idea of wanting to eat it…
This was a great recipe and loved the twist as sloppy joe , currently looking for another recipe of yours for tonight’s dinner
So glad you’re enjoying the site.
2 questions- 1) relish is sweet but pickles on burgers dill, correct? And 2) I assume that if you are assembling like your pictures as singles you just put a top bun where the second bottom bun is? Thanks
Yes, relish is sweeter. When I assemble the sloppy joes to look like a Big Mac, I add an extra (top or bottom) bun to the middle otherwise, if I’m making it single I use a regular top and bottom bun. Hopefully this answers your questions. Enjoy!
Fun “spin” on a sloppy joe!
We really liked them…definite Big Mac” taste and definitely sloppy! ?
So glad you enjoyed it, Dana.
Sad to say that we were real excited to make these and we ended up very disappointed. The meat lacked flavor and the meat/sauce mixture was too soupy. Wish I could say that the taste made up for the texture but this is not a recipe I will be making again. My husband said it was “just okay.” All around bad.
Sorry it didn’t live up to your expectations.
This was delicious. My husband even approved! The only thing I didn’t do was the 24hour wait time on the sauce, because I only realized that tip as I was already preparing the meal & there was NO WAY I was going to wait to try this ANY LONGER! Thank you for sharing this recipe!
I totally understand, haha! So glad you both enjoyed it.
If I follow your directions for the “secret sauce”, do I add it all in with the ground beef? Thanks!! Can’t wait to try.
You’ll add 1 cup into the meat and then resave the rest for your buns. Enjoy!
Awesome! We loved it!
Yay!!
Can I use a crock pot? Brown the meat and then add every thing to the crock pot? What do you think?
Sounds great!
This would taste more like a Big Mac if you season the ground beef with the burger sprinkles they use on their burgers.
Salt
Pepper
Onion powder
Accent(MSG)
Thanks for the suggestion!
I worked @mcdonalds while in high school and the only thing we ever used as seasoning for the meat patties was salt. Just saying…
I work at one currently and help run the kitchen. There is more to the seasoning for the meat than salt.
Thanks, Nichole! I have often wondered if there is something more in the seasoning.
These are one of the best things I’ve made for my family in a long time. They just gobbled it all up. That sauce is life!
Haha, thanks so much for the 5 stars. I’m so glad you loved it.
Always love McDonald’s for this sauce and am thrilled I can make this for myself! Looking forward to burgers for dinner tomorrow, indeed!
It’s such a classic!
Big Macs are the BEST. Can’t wait to make these! They’re going to be a hit!
Enjoy!
Okay, I am drooling over here! I can not wait to make these!
I know you’re going to love them.
This looks so very delicious thanks.cant wait to make these. Have a safe and blessed holiday and bright and safe new year ?????.
Thanks for sharing
I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Judy. Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year to you and your family too.
Do you use orange french dressing or red?
Mine was more red than orange.
Delicious !!!!my family Loved it especially my son!!!
Thanks for coming back to let me know, Sheila.
Bill Rose (age 91.5)
I and my family are GREAT lovers of the Burgers and you have given us some more reasons to go further with your ideas.
Will try them
Enjoy!
Do you use dill or sweet pickles?
I used dill to be more in line with the Big Mac. I hope you enjoy it!
This looks incredible. You are amazing!
Thanks, Gail! You’re too sweet.
Omg… as soon as I saw the picture I had to have them. Went immediately to the grocery store… they rocked our world!!! Yum!
Yay!!
I think this would be so yummy, a great combitation. Thanks for posting it ! Jerry
You’ve got to try it!
Are the pickles sweet or dill? Sounds wonderful!!
Dill 🙂
Oh, boy! Does that sound good. Haven’t made it yet but I know it’s a 4-star!
Thanks, Peggy! Enjoy!!
Looks delicious can’t wait to try it!!
Thank You!!
Enjoy!