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Recipes » Burgers and Sandwiches » Big Mac Recipe

Published: Oct 27, 2021 by Krystle Smith · This post may contain affiliate links

Big Mac Recipe

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Thin beef patties on a triple-decker bun topped with cheese, onion, and of course the secret Big Mac Sauce. This copycat Big Mac recipe is cheaper and healthier than the real thing.

Make is a meal with homemade french fries and a Shamrock shake.

a triple decker bun with two beef patties, big mac sauce, American cheese, and shredded lettuce

We never ate much fast food when I was growing up. However, this all changed when we went on vacation. From the Ohio Animal Park to the beach in Delaware, we stopped at every McDonald’s along the way.

I am a fries girl , but my Mom’s favorite was always the Big Mac (usually while driving with her knees and dropping pickles everywhere). These days I’d rather cook at home than fight traffic so I’ve made this copycat Big Mac recipe.

This version tastes exactly the same and is even a little healthier! Plus you can make it in the comfort of your own home in less than 15 minutes. I’ve waited in the drive-through line longer than that!

I hope you’ll try my secret recipe that tastes just like the real thing. It’s quick and easy to make in your very own kitchen!

 

Table Of Contents hide
1 Why This Recipe Is The Best
2 What Is a Big Mac?
3 History/Origin
4 Ingredient Notes
5 How To Make a Big Mac
6 Leftovers
7 Tips
8 More Copycat Recipes
9 Big Mac

Why This Recipe Is The Best

  • Easy: This recipe is ready in less than 20 minutes and doesn’t require any fancy equipment.
  • Affordable: You can make a whole batch of these for less than your drive-through tab would cost.
  • Mac Sauce: I’ve seen versions that use dill and sweet relish. Neither tasted quite right to me, but together with French dressing, it tastes spot on.

What Is a Big Mac?

The Big Mac is an iconic fast food sandwich served at McDonald’s. Just like its commercial jingle says: The sandwich consists of two 100% beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, and onions on a sesame seed bun.

History/Origin

The Big Mac was created in 1967 by francise owner Jim Delligatti. It was first sold at Uniontown, PA, McDonald’s located at Mervis Plaza on July 7 of that year. The “Big Mac” name came about because it was larger than the hamburger that McDonald’s had been selling.

At first, they were sold for 45 cents, but eventually, their price would be raised to 49 cents on May 4, 1972, in the US due to the addition of bread and ketchup as a topping. Towards the mid-1970s, “diet” versions of the sandwich gradually became available at some locations around the world.

the ingredients needed to make a big mac.

Ingredient Notes

  • Ground Beef: I like making my burgers with 80/20 ground beef for optimal flavor and juiciness. However, you can use a leaner variety if desired. 1 pound of ground beef will give you about 4 regular or 8 thin patties.
  • Buns: I like using Sesame seed buns for an authentic taste.
  • Lettuce: Grab pre-shredded lettuce to save time. Keep bagged lettuce from browning by storing it in a Ziploc bag with a damp paper towel.
  • Onion: Chop your own onion if possible as I find prechopped to be too thick and too strong.  If you don’t like raw onion feel free to leave it off. You can also cut the bite of onions by soaking them in baking soda water or microwaving for 60 seconds.
  • Cheese: I used Land O Lakes Yellow American from the deli.

the ingredients needed to make homemade mac sauce.

How To Make a Big Mac

  1. Make the secret sauce: Combine all ingredients. Microwave for 30 seconds.
  2. Toast buns
  3. Make Patties: Cook for 1-3 minutes per side.
  4. Assemble Add sauce, lettuce, onion, burger, and cheese to the bottom bun. Top with middle bun and repeat. Top with the final bun and enjoy.

buns on a cutting board with a knife.

Leftovers

  • Storage: Store in the fridge for up to 3 days.
  • Reheat: Reheat at 400 degrees for 5-7 minutes. Top with cheese if desired.
  • Freeze for up to 3 months.
  • The sauce can be kept in the fridge as well for up to a week.

a homemade big mac with 2 burgers, 3 buns, cheese, and lettuce.

Tips

  1. Cook burgers until they are 160 degrees F on a meat thermometer. It can be tricky to use one on thinner patties though. One way to tell when hamburger patties are done is to use the “i” pinch test. Pinch the top of the patty with your index finger and thumb. If the burger easily gives, it is still raw in the center. If you have to use a lot of pressure or if your fingers sink into the patty, then it is done.
  2. Perfect Patties: In order to get the perfect uniform shape for your patties, try using a cookie cutter or biscuit mold with holes in different sizes. 
  3. Don’t Press: Don’t press your patties down in the pan or all their wonderful juices will run out.
  4. Flip Once: To help your burger hold its shape, and to prevent overcooking flip only once.
  5. Feel free to add your favorite toppings. I also like tomato, onion rings, and bacon.
  6. Mac sauce is also wonderful on fries, onion rings, or even our cheeseburger pizza or  tater tot casserole.

More Copycat Recipes

KFC Nashville Hot Chicken

Applebee’s Fiesta Lime Chicken 

Pf Chang’s Lettuce Wraps

Big Mac

Thin beef patties on a triple-decker bun topped with cheese, onion, and of course the secret Big Mac Sauce. This copycat Big Mac recipe is cheaper and healthier than the real thing.
5 from 7 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes minutes
Servings: 1 Burger
Calories: 497kcal
Author: Krystle Smith

Ingredients

Big Mac Recipe

  • 2 Thin Hamburger Patties
  • 1 ½ Sesame Seed Buns
  • 1 Slice American Cheese
  • 1 Tablespoon Special Sauce Recipe Below
  • 1 Teaspoon Onion Finely Diced
  • ¼ Cup Shredded Lettuce
  • 2 Dill Pickle Slices
  • Salt and Pepper to taste

Big Mac Secret Sauce Ingredients

  • ¼ Cup Miracle Whip
  • ¼ Cup Mayonnaise
  • 2 Tablespoons French Dressing
  • ½ Tablespoon Sweet Relish
  • 2 Teaspoons Dill Pickle Relish
  • 1 Teaspoon Sugar
  • 1 Teaspoon Minced Onion Dried
  • 1 Teaspoon White Vinegar
  • 1 Teaspoon Ketchup
  • ⅛ Teaspoon Salt
Don't lose this recipe. Pin for later!

Instructions

sauce Instructions

  • In a medium microwave safe bowl, mix all special sauce ingredients until well blended. Microwave 25 seconds.
  • Cover and refrigerate at least 1 hour before using.

Burger Instructions

  • Lightly toast one and a half buns (2 bottoms).
  • Season hamburger patties with salt and pepper to taste. Cook 1-3 minutes on each side or until cooked through.
  • On the first bun bottom add ½ Tablespoons of the Special Sauce, ½ Teaspoon Diced Onion, ⅛ Cup Shredded Lettuce, Cheese, and one Hamburger Patty.
  • Top the middle bun with the same items mentioned above (excluding cheese). Top with bun top.

Notes

Ingredient Notes
  • Ground Beef: I like making my burgers with 80/20 ground beef for optimal flavor and juiciness. However, you can use a leaner variety if desired. 1 pound of ground beef will give you about 4 regular or 8 thin patties.
  • Buns: I like using Sesame seed buns for an authentic taste.
  • Lettuce: Grab pre-shredded lettuce to save time. Keep bagged lettuce from browning by storing it in a Ziploc bag with a damp paper towel.
  • Onion: Chop your own onion if possible as I find prechopped to be too thick and too strong.  If you don't like raw onion feel free to leave it off. You can also cut the bite of onions by soaking them in baking soda water or microwaving for 60 seconds.
  • Cheese: I used Land O Lakes Yellow American from the deli.
Tips
  1. Cook burgers until they are 160 degrees F on a meat thermometer. It can be tricky to use one on thinner patties though. One way to tell when hamburger patties are done is to use the “i” pinch test. Pinch the top of the patty with your index finger and thumb. If the burger easily gives, it is still raw in the center. If you have to use a lot of pressure or if your fingers sink into the patty, then it is done.
  2. Perfect Patties: In order to get the perfect uniform shape for your patties, try using a cookie cutter or biscuit mold with holes in different sizes. 
  3. Don't Press: Don't press your patties down in the pan or all their wonderful juices will run out.
  4. Flip Once: To help your burger hold its shape, and to prevent overcooking flip only once.
  5. Feel free to add your favorite toppings. I also like tomato, onion rings, and bacon.
  6. Mac sauce is also wonderful on fries, onion rings, or even our cheeseburger pizza or casserole.

Nutrition

Calories: 497kcal | Carbohydrates: 33g | Protein: 20g | Fat: 31g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 8g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 67mg | Sodium: 919mg | Potassium: 280mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 234IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 347mg | Iron: 3mg
Tried this recipe? I want to see!Mention @BakingBeautyBlog or tag #BakingBeauty!
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Sandra says

    October 29, 2021 at 7:03 am

    5 stars
    This is undeniably good! My family loved it.

    Reply
  2. Catalina says

    October 28, 2021 at 3:17 pm

    5 stars
    This looks amazing and we should organize a finger food night this weekend!

    Reply
  3. Beti | easyweeknightrecipes says

    October 28, 2021 at 12:14 pm

    5 stars
    I am loving this Big Mac! It looks AMAZING!!

    Reply
  4. katerina @ diethood.com says

    October 28, 2021 at 12:11 pm

    5 stars
    Oh wow! This looks incredibly delicious! I can’t wait to try it!

    Reply
  5. Beth says

    October 27, 2021 at 6:49 pm

    5 stars
    Holy. Moly. Now that’s what I call a copycat! It looks and sounds better than the original!

    Reply
  6. susan kline says

    May 06, 2020 at 4:07 pm

    5 stars
    this recipe was dead on. we loved it. i said i will never have to go to mcdonalds again.

    Reply
    • Krystle Smith says

      August 06, 2020 at 11:52 am

      Yay thanks so much for your review Susan!

      Reply
  7. Karen says

    January 09, 2019 at 5:16 pm

    This is the best so far does need to sit in the fridge for a few hours for the taste to get where it taste really close to big mac sauce

    Reply
    • Krystle Smith says

      July 06, 2020 at 9:45 pm

      Glad to hear it, thanks so much Karen!

      Reply
  8. Gregory L Tipton says

    October 17, 2018 at 2:19 pm

    In Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, this is known as the Tucker’s Topper.

    Reply
    • Krystle says

      October 17, 2018 at 11:17 pm

      Really? You learn something new everyday!

      Reply
  9. amanda @ fake ginger says

    January 15, 2015 at 9:59 pm

    Stop it. This look so good. I don’t even know what to say. I need this. Immediately.

    Reply
    • admin says

      February 01, 2015 at 11:21 pm

      Your comments always make me smile, thanks Amanda!

      Reply
  10. Lisa Huff says

    January 15, 2015 at 7:18 pm

    OMG I thought that really WAS a Big Mac! Looks just like one!

    Reply
    • admin says

      February 01, 2015 at 11:23 pm

      Haha gotcha! That’s exactly what I was going for. 🙂
      Thanks Lisa.

      Reply
  11. Melanie | Melanie Makes says

    January 15, 2015 at 2:07 pm

    McDonald’s is my weakness and I love how you made their signature burger at home!

    Reply
    • admin says

      February 01, 2015 at 11:23 pm

      Mine too! Thanks Melanie!

      Reply

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