Big Mac Recipe
Ditch the drive-thru and make my copycat Big Mac recipe with thin beef patties, melty cheese, and, of course, the secret Big Mac Sauce. The recipe for the world's most famous burger is easier and cheaper to make at home!
Make it a meal with homemade french fries and a Shamrock shake.
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 McDonald's along the way. 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! 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! The patties are thinner than a typical BBQ burger, almost like a smash burger patty. Mac sauce is also wonderful on fries, onion rings, or even our cheeseburger pizza or tater tot casserole.
❤️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.
- Best Copycat: From steamed buns to the same onion the restaurant uses, this tastes like the real thing. Our Mac sauce is also the closest I've ever tasted with two types of mayo and relish.
Ingredient Notes and Shopping Tips
For the Burger
- Buns: I like using Sesame seed buns for an authentic taste, but any bun you like will work.
- 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 onion if possible, as I find prechopped to be too thick and too strong. You can also microwave your onion for 30-60 seconds to remove some of that raw bite.
- Mcdonalds is rumored actually to use minced onion rehydrated in a bit of water.
- Cheese: I used Land O Lakes Yellow American from the deli.
- Pickles: Pat dry to avoid excess moisture. I like using Kroger fast food pickles as they taste most like the restaurant to me.
- Ground Beef: like making my burgers with 73/27 or 80/20 ground beef for optimal flavor and juiciness. 80/20 is juicy and flavorful. 73/27 is less expensive. However, it can cause more shrinkage and flare ups if grilling. Avoid 90% lean which can dry out quickly.
For the Sauce:
- Miracle Whip: Miracle Whip has a lighter texture. It also has a hint of garlic and gives this sauce some sweetness.
- If you're out of Miracle Whip, use more mayo and add a bit of sugar and lemon juice to mimic its flavor.
- Mayonnaise: Mayonnaise has a higher oil content which provides creaminess.
- French Dressing: French dressing is a tomato-forward vinegarette flavored with Ketchup.
- Do not use Thousand Island in this recipe as too creamy and also contains relish.
How To Make a Big Mac
- Make the secret sauce: Combine all ingredients. Microwave for 30 seconds.
- Toast buns
- Make Patties: Cook for 1-3 minutes per side.
- 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.
️Krystle's Tips️
- 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.
- Don't Press: Don't press your patties down in the pan, or all their wonderful juices will run out.
- Flip Once: To help your burger hold its shape, and to prevent overcooking flip only once.
- Steam your buns for authentic flavor and texture: Simply wrap in a paper towel and microwave for 10-15 seconds.
- Cook burgers until they are 160 degrees F. Don't overcook, or they'll dry out. It can be tricky to use one on thinner patties, though. One way to tell when hamburger patties is to pinch the top of the patty with your index finger and thumb. If the burger is easily given, 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.
A Sprinkle of Science: Don't Overwork your meat
This can cause the proteins to bind too tightly together, which can make it tough.
❓FAQs ❓
Can I Make The Sauce Ahead
Yes, it actually gets better as it sets. I actually suggest making it 1-2 hours in advance if possible.
Can I Grill The Patties?
Yes grill for 3-4 minutes per side.
More Copycat Recipes
📖 Recipe
Actual Big Mac Recipe
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 tastes just like the real thing.
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Servings: 4 Burgers
Calories: 497kcal
Ingredients
Big Mac Recipe
- 1 Pound Ground Beef
- 6 Sesame Seed Buns
- 4 Slice American Cheese
- 4 Tablespoon Special Sauce Recipe Below
- 4 Teaspoons Onion Finely Diced
- 1 Cup Shredded Lettuce
- 8 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
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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 Special Sauce, Diced Onion, 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
-
- 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.
- Ground Beef: I use 80/20.
- Onion: Chop your onion if possible, as I find prechopped to be too thick and too strong. You can also microwave your onion for 30-60 seconds to remove some of that raw bite. Mcdonalds is rumored actually to use minced onion rehydrated in a bit of water.
- Cheese: I used Land O Lakes Yellow American from the deli.
- Pickles: Pat dry to avoid excess moisture. I like using Kroger fast food pickles as they taste most like the restaurant to me.
-
- French Dressing: Do not use Thousand Island in this recipe as it is too creamy and also contains relish.
- Don't overwork your meat: This can make it tough.
- Don't Press: Don't press your patties down in the pan or all their wonderful juices will run out.
- Flip Once: To help your burger hold its shape, and to prevent overcooking flip only once.
- Steam your buns for authentic flavor and texture: Simply wrap in a paper towel and microwave for 10-15 seconds.
- Cook burgers until they are 160 degrees F.
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
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The Big Mac is my husband's favorite, so I had to make him this. It was perfect. Great recipe!!
Homemade big mac is delicious, my son who love big mac approved it and asked me to make this again.
Tastes just like the real deal with less calories! Kids loved them.
This worked exactly as written, thanks!