Big Mac Sloppy Joes is a one-skillet weeknight dinner that hits cheeseburger cravings with pantry ingredients.
Ingredients
- Ground Beef: Use 80/20 ground beef for the best flavor and drain it well so the sauce stays creamy instead of greasy, or substitute ground turkey for a lighter option.
- Dressing: Use a store-bought bottle of Thousand Island or make a homemade version. This is the shortcut copycat Big Mac sauce, which can be swapped with burger sauce or made quickly by mixing mayo, relish, and a splash of vinegar if needed.
- Buns: Soft buns soak up the sauce, toasted buns help prevent sogginess, and sesame seed buns add that classic Big Mac vibe.
- Variations: For a spicy kick, add a pinch of cayenne or a spoonful of jalapeño brine. For extra “special sauce” flavor, stir in a spoonful of relish and a pinch of paprika, and for a lower-sugar option, use no-sugar-added ketchup with a little extra mustard for punch.
How to Make Big Mac Sloppy Joes
- Brown the ground beef and add the remaining ingredients and simmer..
- Toast the buns. Top with the ground beef mixture (full recipe below).
- Top with cheese, pickles, and shredded lettuce.
Holly’s Pro Tips for Perfect Sloppy Joes
- Drain the beef well to avoid it being greasy.
- Toast buns to prevent sogginess, especially with extra saucy filling.
- Make ahead by cooking the meat mixture, cooling, refrigerating, then reheating and adding fresh toppings.
- Add lettuce last to keep it crisp, and don’t mix it into the hot meat.
- Brown beef in batches when doubling to sear it instead of steaming.
Keep it Fresh
- Store the meat mixture in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days
- Freeze the cooled meat mixture in a freezer bag for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge.
- To reheat, warm in a skillet over medium-low with a splash of water to loosen, or microwave in short bursts, stirring between.
- Store buns and toppings separately so everything stays fresh and crisp.
Cheeseburger Flavor Favorites
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Big Mac Sloppy Joes
Big Mac Sloppy Joes bring classic special-sauce burger flavor to a fast, one-skillet sandwich night with pickles, lettuce, and melty cheese.
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- ½ cup thousand island dressing
- 2 tablespoons mustard
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- hamburger buns toasted
Instructions
- Brown the ground beef in a skillet over medium-high heat until no pink remains. Drain any grease.
- Add dressing, mustard, ketchup, and onion powder. Stir well and simmer 2-3 minutes or until heated through.
- Pile onto buns with lettuce, pickles, and cheese.
Notes
Prepare toppings including shredded lettuce, American cheese slices, and pickles for serving
Keep leftovers in an airtight container for 4 days and in the freezer for 3 months. Store the beef mixture separately from the buns and toppings.
Nutrition Information
Calories: 288kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 25g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 0.4g | Cholesterol: 78mg | Sodium: 526mg | Potassium: 463mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 110IU | Vitamin C: 0.5mg | Calcium: 23mg | Iron: 3mg
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
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