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Easy Big Mac Sloppy Joes with Homemade Special Sauce

Close-up of a delicious Big Mac Sloppy Joes sandwich piled high with saucy meat, melted cheese, pickles, and shredded lettuce.
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Make this fun, family-favorite comfort food mashup for dinner tonight. This recipe combines juicy ground beef with a tangy copycat Big Mac special sauce, served messy on soft buns with cheese and pickles. It is a quick weeknight meal ready in about 30 minutes.

Ingredients

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  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 1.5 pounds lean ground beef
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1/4 cup sweet pickle relish
  • 1/4 cup yellow mustard
  • 1/4 cup ketchup
  • 1 tablespoon white vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons sweet pickle relish (for sauce)
  • 1 tablespoon yellow mustard (for sauce)
  • 1 teaspoon white vinegar (for sauce)
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/4 teaspoon turmeric
  • 1/4 cup water (for sauce)
  • 1 pound American cheese slices
  • 6 sesame seed hamburger buns
  • 1 cup shredded iceberg lettuce
  • 1/2 cup dill pickle slices

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Special Sauce: In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons sweet pickle relish, 1 tablespoon yellow mustard, 1 teaspoon white vinegar, paprika, turmeric, and 1/4 cup water. Mix well until smooth. Set aside.
  2. Cook the Beef: Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until soft, about 4 minutes. Add the ground beef, salt, and pepper. Break up the meat and cook until browned. Drain off any excess grease.
  3. Simmer the Sloppy Joe Mixture: Stir in the 1/2 cup water, 1/4 cup sweet pickle relish, 1/4 cup ketchup, 1/4 cup yellow mustard, 1 tablespoon white vinegar, onion powder, and garlic powder into the beef mixture. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low. Cook uncovered for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens slightly.
  4. Melt the Cheese: Place one slice of American cheese on top of the beef mixture in the skillet. Cover the skillet briefly until the cheese melts over the meat.
  5. Toast the Buns: Lightly toast the sesame seed hamburger buns.
  6. Assemble the Sandwiches: Place a portion of the cheesy beef mixture onto the bottom half of each bun. Top the meat with shredded lettuce, a few dill pickle slices, and then the top bun. Serve immediately.

Notes

  • For an extra layer of flavor, lightly toast the inside of your sesame seed buns in a dry skillet before assembling.
  • You can substitute cheddar cheese for American cheese, but American melts better for that classic messy texture.
  • This recipe makes a great quick lunch idea if you use slider buns instead of full-size buns.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://carlacooking.com/big-mac-sloppy-joes-recipe/