Description
This easy copycat recipe delivers the classic Big Mac flavor in a messy, spoonable sandwich, making it a crowd-pleaser on weeknights.
Ingredients
Scale
- 450 g (1 lb) ground beef, 80/20 recommended
- 150 g (1 medium) yellow onion, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 60 g (1/2 cup) dill pickles, finely diced
- 120 g (1/2 cup) ketchup
- 15 g (1 tbsp) yellow mustard
- 15–30 ml (1–2 tbsp) dill pickle brine
- 60 g (1/4 cup) mayonnaise
- 15 ml (1 tbsp) vinegar (white or apple cider)
- 15 g (1 tbsp) brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp Diamond Crystal kosher salt
- Black pepper, to taste
- 15 g (1 tbsp) unsalted butter
- 4 sesame seed buns, toasted
- 4 cheddar slices or American cheese
Instructions
- Prep the aromatics and pickles: Dice onion finely and mince garlic. Finely chop pickles and measure sauce ingredients.
- Brown the beef: Heat skillet over medium-high, add ground beef, and sear until browned, about 5–6 minutes.
- Sauté the onion and garlic: Cook onion until translucent, then stir in garlic for an additional 30–45 seconds.
- Build the sauce: Lower heat, add ketchup, mayonnaise, mustard, brine, brown sugar, paprika, and onion powder. Stir and simmer for 2–3 minutes.
- Finish with pickles and butter: Stir in diced pickles and unsalted butter, simmer for 1 minute.
- Toast and assemble: Toast buns, pile beef mixture, top with cheese, and serve immediately.
Notes
For a lighter version, use Greek yogurt in place of mayonnaise and leaner meat options as desired.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 sandwich
- Calories: 700
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 1050mg
- Fat: 40g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 46g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 34g
- Cholesterol: 120mg