Description
This recipe recreates the iconic flavors of a Big Mac in a sloppy joe style sandwich. Ground beef is cooked with onions, pickles, and Worcestershire sauce, then mixed with a homemade McDonald’s secret sauce. The sandwiches are assembled as double-deckers with layers of lettuce, American cheese, and pickles on toasted sesame seed buns for a deliciously messy and satisfying meal.
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
- 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 secret sauce, optional
Instructions
- Brown the Beef: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook for 3-4 minutes until partially browned.
- Add Aromatics and Seasoning: Stir in the finely chopped yellow onion, kosher salt, coarse ground pepper, and Worcestershire sauce. Continue cooking until the beef is fully browned, about 3-4 minutes more.
- Incorporate Pickles: Add the chopped hamburger pickles to the skillet and stir to combine evenly with the beef mixture.
- Prepare the Secret Sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, French dressing, sweet relish, ketchup, white vinegar, onion powder, and salt until smooth and well blended.
- Combine Sauce and Beef: Pour 1 cup of the secret sauce into the skillet with the beef mixture. Stir everything together and cook for another minute to meld flavors. Reserve the remaining sauce for assembling the sandwiches.
- Assemble the Double Decker Sandwiches: On the bottom half of a toasted sesame seed bun, spread some secret sauce, then add shredded iceberg lettuce, a slice of American cheese, and a scoop of the beef mixture. Place another bottom bun on top of that layer, and repeat by spreading secret sauce, lettuce, pickles, and more beef mixture. Top with the sesame seed bun top to finish.
Notes
- Use 85/15 ground beef for the best balance of flavor and fat content.
- Chop pickles finely to evenly distribute their tangy crunch throughout the meat mixture.
- Toast the buns lightly before assembling for added texture and to prevent sogginess.
- Leftover secret sauce can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 1 week.
- For a milder flavor, reduce the amount of Worcestershire sauce or omit it entirely.
- This recipe can be doubled or halved easily to accommodate more or fewer servings.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
