Can I use ground turkey instead of beef?

Yes, ground turkey or even ground chicken can be substituted for beef. Keep in mind, the flavor will be a bit lighter, so you may want to add extra seasoning or sauce to compensate.

What if I don’t have sesame seed buns?

No worries—brioche buns, potato rolls, or even sandwich bread will work in a pinch. Sesame seed buns just add that classic fast-food feel.

Can I make the sauce ahead of time?

Absolutely. The homemade secret sauce can be made up to 2–3 days in advance and stored in the fridge. The flavor actually improves as it sits.

Is this recipe kid-friendly?

Definitely. The familiar flavors, creamy sauce, and cheesy beef make it a hit with kids. You can serve it open-faced or as sliders for smaller hands.

Big Mac Sloppy Joes

Name: Big Mac Sloppy Joes
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1½ pounds ground beef (85/15 recommended); ½ yellow onion, finely chopped; ¼ cup chopped hamburger pickles; 1 teaspoon kosher salt; ¼ teaspoon coarse ground pepper; 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce; 1 cup mayonnaise; ¼ cup French dressing; 2 tablespoons sweet relish; 1 tablespoon ketchup; 1 teaspoon white vinegar; ¼ teaspoon onion powder; ⅛ teaspoon salt; 8 sesame seed hamburger buns; 2 cups iceberg lettuce, shredded; 12 hamburger pickle chips; 4 slices American cheese; Additional sauce, optional

Description

Big Mac Sloppy Joes bring fast food flavor to your kitchen with a creamy, tangy secret sauce, seasoned beef, melted cheese, and crisp lettuce—all in one easy skillet meal.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Ground Beef Mixture

1½ pounds ground beef (85/15 recommended)
½ yellow onion, finely chopped
¼ cup chopped hamburger pickles
1 teaspoon kosher salt
¼ teaspoon coarse ground pepper
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce

For the Secret Sauce (McDonald’s Copycat)

1 cup mayonnaise
¼ cup French dressing
2 tablespoons sweet relish
1 tablespoon ketchup
1 teaspoon white vinegar
¼ teaspoon onion powder
⅛ teaspoon salt

To Assemble

8 sesame seed hamburger buns
2 cups iceberg lettuce, shredded
12 hamburger pickle chips
4 slices American cheese
Additional sauce, optional

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Instructions

Cook the Beef and Onions: Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add the ground beef. After about 3 to 4 minutes of browning, stir in the chopped onions, salt, pepper, and Worcestershire sauce. Cook until the beef is no longer pink and the onions are tender.
Add the Pickles and Sauce: Stir in the chopped pickles, then mix the prepared secret sauce separately in a bowl. Add 1 cup of the sauce to the skillet and stir to combine. Simmer for 1 more minute to meld the flavors.
Toast the Buns: While the beef mixture simmers, lightly toast the sesame seed buns on a pan or in the oven to prevent them from getting soggy when assembled.
Assemble the Sloppy Joes: For a classic Big Mac-style build, start with the bottom bun, a layer of secret sauce, shredded lettuce, a slice of cheese, and a scoop of beef. Add a second bun bottom (for the double-decker), another layer of sauce, lettuce, pickles, more beef, and finish with the top bun.
Serve and Enjoy: Serve immediately while hot and melty. Offer extra sauce on the side if desired and pair with fries or a crisp salad.

Notes

For a quicker version, substitute the sauce with store-bought Thousand Island dressing. If using leaner meat like turkey or chicken, add a drizzle of olive oil to avoid dryness. To keep buns from falling apart, avoid overloading with sauce or meat. Sliders make great party appetizers using the same ingredients in mini form.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 sandwich
Calories: 849
Sugar: 15g
Sodium: 2224mg
Fat: 46g
Saturated Fat: 14g
Unsaturated Fat: 27g
Trans Fat: 1g
Carbohydrates: 58g
Fiber: 3g
Protein: 47g
Cholesterol: 141mg