Copycat McDonald’s Big Mac Recipe
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My Big Mac Recipe is just as good — if not better! — than McDonald’s!! Made with 2 beef patties, American cheese, pickles, lettuce, and Big Mac Sauce all on a toasted sesame seed bun, it comes together in just 30 minutes. Make one yourself at home whenever the burger craving hits!
Big Mac Recipe
If you’ve been looking for the ultimate Big Mac copycat recipe — one that includes exactly what order to put the ingredients and that special middle bun — you’ve just found it!!
You guys know how much I love my copycat recipes. I seriously get a thrill every time I create one.
There’s nothing quite like enjoying a restaurant-quality meal at home for a fraction of the price. Plus, you know EXACTLY what goes into it!
So, say goodbye to long lines at the drive-thru and mystery ingredients, and hello to this copycat Big Mac!
Featuring “two all-beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions, on a sesame seed bun” it’s super authentic.
And, my Big Mac copycat comes together so quickly and easily — you’ll never need fast food again!
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
- Ground Beef – My Big Mac recipe features 2 burger patties, just like at McDonald’s!
I typically like an 80/20 mix for burgers — the added higher fat content keeps them nice and juicy as they cook. - Sesame Seed Buns – It’s in the song, so you know I had to serve my Big Mac copycat on a sesame seed bun!
I use an extra one to get that added middle bun for authenticity. - American Cheese – It wouldn’t be a fast food burger without some American cheese.
You can use the store-bought packs that come wrapped in plastic, or elevate yours with some fresh slices from the deli counter! - Toppings – We’re going with the classics: shredded lettuce, diced onions, pickle slices, and some extra sesame seeds to garnish the bun.
- Special Big Mac Sauce – I have a recipe for Big Mac Sauce up on the site already, but had to share it again here!
It comes together with some mayo, French dressing, sweet pickle relish, white onion, white vinegar, sugar, and salt.
Tips and Tricks to Make a Perfect Big Mac Copycat
- Season the patties.
Don’t forget to season the burger patties generously with salt and pepper before you cook them!
These small but mighty flavor makers do so much to bring out the natural flavors of the ground beef.
- Toast the buns.
For a true Big Mac copycat experience, make sure to toast all of those buns before you assemble your burger!
I personally like to add a tiny bit of butter and then toast them on my griddle. It adds such a nice crunch and enhances the flavor of the buns!
- Layer in the right order.
I know you all want your copycat Big Mac to look like McDonald’s does it… so you have to layer the ingredients in the right order!
Start with the bottom bun, then add a layer of the sauce. Next goes shredded lettuce, cheese, a beef patty, and diced onions.
Add your extra middle bun and then repeat in that order, but don’t forget about the sliced pickles after the second slice of cheese!
- Create the perfect sauce consistency.
After you’ve combined the ingredients in a small bowl, make sure they’re well-mixed and smooth.
Here you can easily adjust the consistency to your liking: add more mayo if it’s too thin, or a bit more French dressing if it’s too thick.
Play around with it until it’s perfect for your preference!
Prep Ahead
- Make the sauce
- Toast the buns
- Chop the onions
Kitchen Tools You Will Need
- Mixing Bowls – I like to have a variety of sizes on hand, and this set has them all.
- Large Skillet, Outdoor, or Countertop Grill for cooking the burgers.
Serving Suggestions
Enjoy your copycat Big Mac with a side of crispy fries and a cold beverage for the full, nostalgic fast food experience!
Or, switch things up and pair it with some sweet potato fries or Cottage Fries instead.
You can also get super creative with your toppings. Love cheese? Add a few extra slices! Or, customize your burger with some tomatoes, avocado, or bacon!
As written, my Big Mac recipe yields 1 burger — but it can easily be doubled or tripled depending on your needs.
Storing and Reheating Leftovers
I typically only make as many burgers as I know I’ll need, but if you do have leftovers, I recommend that you store each component of your copycat Big Mac separately for the best results.
Cooked burgers will keep for up to 3-4 days in an airtight container in the fridge, and the sauce will be good for at least a week.
Sesame seed buns can be kept at room temperature, and all of the other ingredients (like toppings) should be stored in the fridge.
You can reheat the burger patties in the microwave in 30-second bursts until warmed through, or over medium in a skillet on the stove.
Copycat Big Mac FAQ
According to the McDonald’s website, a Big Mac is made with 100% beef burgers, Big Mac sauce, sesame bun, pickles, shredded lettuce, finely chopped onion, and American cheese.
Big Mac Sauce does look quite a bit like Thousand Island dressing — plus both have a creamy consistency and are made with pickle relish — but they aren’t the same thing!
You could probably use it in a crunch on your Big Mac recipe… but keep in mind the dressing has a much thinner consistency and the taste isn’t exactly the same.
You can start by making my Big Mac copycat recipe instead of heading to the fast food chain!
There are some other adjustments you can make too — use a leaner ground beef, sub in reduced fat or light mayo in the sauce, or add some extra veggies as toppings.
Enjoy!
With love, from our simple kitchen to yours.
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Copycat McDonald’s Big Mac Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
Special Sauce:
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons French dressing
- 4 teaspoons sweet pickle relish
- 1 tablespoon finely minced white onion
- 1 teaspoon white vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
Burger:
- 1/2 pound ground beef
- salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 sesame seed bun, halved
- 2 slices American cheese
- shredded lettuce
- diced onions
- pickle slices
- sesame seeds, for garnish
- 1 additional sesame seed bun for the middle layer
Instructions
- Prepare Special Sauce: In a bowl, combine mayonnaise, French dressing, sweet pickle relish, minced onion, vinegar, sugar, and salt. Mix until smooth and set aside.
- Form and Cook Patties: Divide ground beef into two thin patties, season with salt and pepper, and cook in a skillet or grill to your desired doneness.
- Assemble Burger: Start with the bottom bun, add a layer of special sauce, shredded lettuce, one slice of American cheese, one beef patty, and diced onions. Place an additional bottom bun on top, spread more special sauce, shredded lettuce, another slice of american cheese, pickles, add the second beef patty, top with diced onions, and finally, cap with the top bun.
Donna’s Notes
Nutrition
All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe’s nutritional value will vary depending on the ingredients used, measuring methods, and portion sizes.
Originally published June 2024
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