Homemade Big Mac Sloppy Joes Recipe: Fast Food Magic at Home

Crafting a homemade big mac sloppy joes brings all the iconic burger flavors right into your kitchen.

Burger enthusiasts will absolutely love this nostalgic twist on a classic comfort meal.

Layers of savory ground beef mingle with tangy special sauce, creating an irresistible combination.

Each bite promises a delicious explosion of familiar taste memories.

Simple ingredients and quick preparation make this recipe perfect for busy weeknight dinners.

Creamy, zesty, and packed with familiar McDonald’s-inspired goodness, these sloppy joes will become your new go-to meal.

Dive into this mouthwatering recipe and experience burger magic like never before.

Why Big Mac Sloppy Joes Are So Tasty

• Flavor Explosion: Recreate the iconic Big Mac taste with a mouthwatering sloppy joe twist that captures all the classic flavors in one satisfying bite.
• Quick Comfort Food: Prepare a crowd-pleasing meal that comes together faster than driving to a fast-food restaurant, perfect for hungry families craving something deliciously familiar.
• Customizable Delight: Easily adjust ingredients to suit personal preferences, making this recipe a versatile option for picky eaters or those wanting to get creative with toppings.
• No-Fuss Cooking: Minimal kitchen skills required, with simple steps that transform basic ingredients into a restaurant-worthy sandwich that impresses everyone at the table.

What’s In Big Mac Sloppy Joes

• Ground Beef: A hearty protein that provides the main body and flavor of the sloppy joe.
• Bacon: Adds a crispy, smoky dimension to enhance the overall taste of the dish.

• Thousand Island Dressing: Creates a tangy and creamy base for the sauce.
• Yellow Mustard, Ketchup, Worcestershire Sauce: Contribute depth, sweetness, and umami to the sauce flavor profile.
• Garlic Powder, Onion Powder: Provide aromatic seasoning and enhance the savory notes.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings to balance and heighten the overall taste.

• Hamburger Buns, Sesame Seeds: The classic foundation for the sloppy joe sandwich.
• Shredded Lettuce: Adds freshness and crisp texture to the sandwich.
• Pickles, Onions: Provide sharp, tangy, and crunchy elements.
• American Cheese: Adds a creamy, melty component to complete the Big Mac-inspired flavor.

Steps To Make Big Mac Sloppy Joes At Home

Step 1: Sizzle Bacon Until Golden

Toss chopped bacon into a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook until crispy and golden, allowing fat to render beautifully for about 5-6 minutes.

Step 2: Transfer Crispy Bacon

Move bacon onto a paper towel-lined plate, keeping the delicious rendered fat in the skillet.

Step 3: Brown Ground Beef

Add ground beef to the same skillet, breaking it into small crumbles. Cook thoroughly until no pink remains, stirring frequently for 8-10 minutes.

Step 4: Drain Excess Grease

Remove extra grease from the meat, then return skillet to medium heat.

Step 5: Create Signature Sauce

• Thousand Island dressing
• Yellow mustard
• Ketchup
• Worcestershire sauce
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Salt
• Black pepper

Step 6: Coat Beef with Sauce

Pour prepared sauce over browned beef, stirring to ensure even coating. Simmer for 3-4 minutes to blend flavors.

Step 7: Reunite Bacon and Beef

Gently fold crispy bacon back into the meat mixture.

Step 8: Prepare Buns

Lightly toast hamburger buns and sprinkle sesame seeds on top.

Step 9: Build the Base

Layer each bun with shredded lettuce, creating a fresh foundation.

Step 10: Add Meat Mixture

Spoon hot beef mixture generously over lettuce.

Step 11: Finish with Toppings

• Diced pickles
• Diced onions
• Slice of American cheese

Step 12: Serve and Devour

Serve immediately while warm, enjoying this epic Big Mac-inspired sloppy joe creation.

Tips To Nail Big Mac Sloppy Joes Every Time

• Bacon Bliss: Crisp bacon thoroughly to enhance its flavor and texture, ensuring golden-brown edges for maximum crunch.
• Grease Management: Drain excess fat from ground beef to prevent a greasy, heavy sandwich and maintain a lighter eating experience.
• Sauce Sensation: Whisk sauce ingredients completely to blend flavors evenly, creating a harmonious taste similar to Big Mac's signature sauce.
• Layering Technique: Toast buns lightly to add structural support and prevent sogginess when adding the saucy beef mixture.
• Cheese Melt Magic: Add cheese slice while meat is still hot to create a deliciously melted topping that adds richness to the sandwich.

Creative Takes On Big Mac Sloppy Joes

• Vegetarian Deconstructed: Replace ground beef with plant-based crumbles or lentils for a meat-free version that maintains the classic flavor profile.
• Low-Carb Lettuce Wrap: Skip hamburger buns and use large lettuce leaves as wraps, reducing carbohydrate intake while keeping the zesty sauce intact.
• Spicy Southwest Remix: Add diced jalapeños, swap thousand island for chipotle sauce, and include pepper jack cheese for a bold, fiery interpretation.
• Mediterranean-Inspired Option: Substitute ground beef with ground lamb, incorporate tzatziki instead of thousand island, and serve on pita bread for a global culinary journey.

Best Sides With Big Mac Sloppy Joes

• Pair with Crisp Beverages: Light, cold beer or sparkling soda cuts through the rich, meaty flavors and refreshes the palate with effervescent bubbles.
• Complement with Tangy Sides: Crisp dill pickles or vinegar-based coleslaw balance the heavy sauce and provide a zesty contrast to the hearty meat mixture.
• Match with Textural Crunch: Wavy potato chips or homemade french fries offer a satisfying crunch that echoes the sandwich's layered textures and enhances the overall eating experience.
• Cool Down with Classic Drink: Chilled coca-cola or root beer creates a nostalgic diner-style pairing that perfectly matches the Big Mac-inspired comfort food vibe.

How To Store Big Mac Sloppy Joes Easily

• Store leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate within 2 hours of cooking. Keep the meat mixture separate from buns to prevent sogginess. Consume within 3-4 days for best quality and safety.
• Transfer cooled meat mixture to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Remove excess air to prevent freezer burn. Freeze for up to 3 months. Label with date and contents.
• Thaw refrigerated or frozen meat mixture in the refrigerator overnight. Reheat in a skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally until heated through. Add a splash of water or extra sauce to prevent drying out.
• Place meat mixture in a microwave-safe dish. Cover with a damp paper towel to retain moisture.

Fast FAQs For Big Mac Sloppy Joes

• Can I make this recipe without bacon?

While bacon adds amazing flavor, you can skip it or substitute with turkey bacon for a lighter option. The beef will still taste delicious.

• What type of ground beef works best?

Choose ground beef with 80/20 or 85/15 lean-to-fat ratio for the most flavorful and juicy results. Leaner meats might become dry.

• Is this recipe kid-friendly?

Absolutely! Kids typically love sloppy joe sandwiches, and this Big Mac-inspired version has familiar flavors that children enjoy. The cheese and mild seasonings make it appealing.

• How can I reduce the calories in this recipe?

Use lean ground beef, reduce cheese portion, skip bacon, and use low-fat thousand island dressing to create a lighter version of the sandwich.

Fabled Big Mac Sloppy Joes Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 33 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Classic Big Mac flavors collide with comfort food in these irresistible Big Mac Sloppy Joes. Juicy ground beef, tangy special sauce, and melted cheese create a mouthwatering twist on the iconic McDonald’s burger that will satisfy serious burger cravings.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Beef and Meat:

• 2 lbs ground beef
• 0.5 lb bacon, chopped

Sauce and Seasonings:

• 1 cup special sauce (thousand island dressing)
• 2 tbsp yellow mustard
• 2 tbsp ketchup
• 1 tbsp worcestershire sauce
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 0.5 tsp salt
• 0.25 tsp black pepper

Bread and Toppings:

• 6 hamburger buns
• 2 cups shredded lettuce
• 1 cup diced pickles
• 1 cup diced onions
• 6 slices american cheese
• 2 tbsp sesame seeds (for bun topping)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Crisp the chopped bacon in a large skillet over medium-high heat until golden and rendering its fat, approximately 5-6 minutes.
2. Transfer bacon to a paper towel-lined plate, leaving the rendered fat in the skillet.
3. Add ground beef to the same skillet, breaking it into small crumbles and cooking until completely browned and no pink remains, about 8-10 minutes.
4. Drain excess grease from the meat, then return skillet to medium heat.
5. Whisk together thousand island dressing, yellow mustard, ketchup, worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper in a separate bowl.
6. Pour the prepared sauce mixture over the browned beef, stirring to coat evenly and simmer for 3-4 minutes.
7. Gently fold the crispy bacon back into the meat mixture.
8. Lightly toast hamburger buns and sprinkle sesame seeds on top.
9. Layer each bun with shredded lettuce, creating a bed for the saucy meat mixture.
10. Spoon the hot beef mixture generously over the lettuce.
11. Top each sandwich with diced pickles, diced onions, and a slice of american cheese.
12. Serve immediately while warm and enjoy the Big Mac-inspired sloppy joe experience.

Notes

• Bacon Selection: Opt for thick-cut bacon to achieve maximum crispiness and rich flavor that complements the beef perfectly.
• Meat Drainage: Thoroughly drain excess grease to prevent soggy texture and ensure a cleaner, more concentrated taste profile.
• Sauce Customization: Adjust sauce ingredients to personal preference, reducing or increasing specific condiments for a personalized Big Mac experience.
• Low-Carb Adaptation: Swap hamburger buns with lettuce wraps or use low-carb tortillas for a keto-friendly alternative without sacrificing the classic flavor.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 670
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 1150 mg
• Fat: 42 g
• Saturated Fat: 16 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 24 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 40 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 36 g
• Cholesterol: 100 mg