Big Mac Sloppy Joes bring the iconic flavors of your favorite fast-food burger into a quick, homemade meal. Juicy ground beef, tangy pickles, and creamy special sauce come together in under 20 minutes for a satisfying, nostalgic bite. The soft buns soak up the savory-sweet filling, while crisp lettuce adds a refreshing crunch. It’s comfort food with a fun twist that’s perfect for busy weeknights or casual gatherings.
This recipe is a flavor-packed upgrade to classic sloppy joes, balancing rich, smoky, and tangy notes in every bite. With just 10 minutes of prep and 9 minutes of cooking, you’ll have a hearty, crowd-pleasing dish on the table in no time. The melty cheese and savory sauce create a gooey, irresistible texture that’s sure to make this a family favorite. Dive in and enjoy the bold, crave-worthy flavors of this American-inspired classic!
Gather Your Ingredients
- Special Sauce
- ¾ cup mayonnaise
- 3 Tablespoons French Dressing
- 2 Tablespoons ketchup
- 2 Tablespoons dill pickle relish
- 1 Tablespoon minced onion (or finely chopped fresh onion)
- 1 ½ teaspoons white vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- Big Mac Sloppy Joes
- 1 ½ pounds lean ground beef (or substitute with ground turkey)
- ½ onion, diced
- 1 teaspoon seasoned salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 6 slices American cheese (or cheddar cheese for a bolder flavor)
- Shredded lettuce
- Pickles (sliced or chopped)
- 6 Hamburger Buns (with sesame seeds, if desired)
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prepare the Special Sauce: Combine all the special sauce ingredients in a bowl. Mix well and set aside for later use.
- Cook the Ground Beef:
- Instant Pot Method: Press the SAUTE button and let the Instant Pot heat up. Add the ground beef and diced onion. Cook until the beef is no longer pink and fully cooked. Drain excess fat if desired.
- Stovetop Method: Heat a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and diced onion. Cook until the beef is no longer pink and fully cooked. Drain excess fat if desired.
- Season the Beef: Add the seasoned salt, ground black pepper, and Worcestershire sauce to the cooked beef. Mix well to combine.
- Incorporate the Sauce: Scoop out ½ cup of the prepared special sauce and set aside. Pour the remaining sauce into the beef mixture and stir to combine. Let it cook for 1-2 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
- Assemble the Sloppy Joes:
- Place a scoop of the beef mixture on the bottom half of each hamburger bun.
- Layer with a slice of American cheese, a handful of shredded lettuce, and a few pickles.
- Spread the reserved special sauce on the top half of the bun.
- Serve and Enjoy: Close the buns and serve immediately for a delicious, sloppy treat!
Creative Sauce and Topping Ideas
While the special sauce is a star, feel free to experiment with other condiments! Try adding a drizzle of sriracha mayo for a spicy kick or a dollop of garlic aioli for extra flavor. For toppings, consider adding sliced tomatoes, avocado, or even crumbled bacon to elevate your Sloppy Joes. Don’t forget to toast your buns for a crispy texture that holds up to the saucy filling!
Perfect Pairings: Serving Suggestions
These Big Mac Sloppy Joes pair wonderfully with classic sides like crispy french fries, sweet potato wedges, or a fresh garden salad. For a lighter option, serve with steamed veggies or coleslaw. If you’re hosting a crowd, consider setting up a DIY topping bar with extra pickles, shredded cheese, and sauces for a fun, interactive meal!
Storage and Reheating Tips
Store leftover Sloppy Joe mixture in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply warm it in a skillet over medium heat or microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring in between. For the buns, keep them separate and toast them fresh before serving to maintain their texture. You can also freeze the meat mixture for up to 2 months—just thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Time-Saving Hacks for Busy Cooks
To save time, prep the special sauce ahead of time and store it in the fridge for up to 2 days. You can also use pre-diced onions or even frozen diced onions to cut down on prep work. If you’re using an Instant Pot, take advantage of the SAUTE function to cook the meat and onions in one pot—no need to dirty extra dishes!
Recipe Variations to Try
Switch things up by using ground turkey or plant-based meat for a lighter or vegetarian twist. For a cheesier version, swap American cheese for pepper jack or cheddar. If you’re gluten-free, serve the mixture over lettuce wraps or use gluten-free buns. You can even turn this into a dip by serving it with tortilla chips or toasted baguette slices!
Big Mac Sloppy Joes
Ingredients
Special Sauce
- ¾ cup mayonnaise
- 3 Tablespoons French Dressing
- 2 Tablespoons ketchup
- 2 Tablespoons dill pickle relish
- 1 Tablespoon minced onion
- 1 ½ teaspoons white vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
Big Mac Sloppy Joes
- 1 ½ pounds lean ground beef
- ½ onion, diced
- 1 teaspoon seasoned salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 6 slices American cheese
- shredded lettuce
- pickles
- 6 Hamburger Buns, with sesame seeds, if desired
Instructions
- Combine the special sauce ingredients in a bowl and set aside.
- Press the SAUTE button and let the Instant Pot heat up.
- Add ground beef and onion to Instant Pot and cook until all the pink is gone and meat is fully cooked. Drain beef, if desired.
- Add in seasoned salt, ground pepper, and Worcestershire sauce. Mix well.
- Scoop out 1/2 cup of the special sauce and set aside. Dump the remaining sauce into the ground beef mixture and mix well.
- Let the ground beef cook for 1-2 more minutes on SAUTE to let the flavors meld.
- Layer a scoop of ground beef, slice of American cheese, handful of shredded lettuce and pickles on each hamburger bun. Spread leftover special sauce on the top bun and serve.
- Combine the special sauce ingredients in a bowl and set aside.
- Place a large non-stick skillet on the stove top over medium-high heat.
- Add ground beef and onion to skillet after it heats up and cook until all the pink is gone and meat is fully cooked. Drain beef, if desired.
- To the meat and onion, add in seasoned salt, ground pepper, and Worcestershire sauce. Mix well.
- Scoop out ½ cup of the special sauce and set aside. Dump the remaining sauce into the ground beef mixture and mix well.
- Let the ground beef cook for 1-2 more minutes over medium heat to let the flavors meld.
- Layer a scoop of ground beef, slice of American cheese, handful of shredded lettuce and pickles on each hamburger bun. Spread leftover special sauce on the top bun and serve.