The McDonald’s Big Mac burger is arguably the most famous burger that has ever existed. If you say “Big Mac”, everyone will know exactly what you are talking about. Their mouth starts watering, craving the juicy patties, the toasted bun, the perfectly melted cheese slice, but most of all, that out-of-this-world Big Mac Sauce.
It all started in 1967 when the Big Mac made its debut in Pennsylvania selling for 45 cents. Its direct competition was the Big Boy hamburger from the Big Boy restaurant franchise. It actually had two other names prior to “Big Mac” that didn’t fare so well amongst consumers. Luckily Esther Glickstein Rose came up with the new and improved name. In 2007 it was recorded that 560 million Big Macs are sold each year in the United States alone.
The special Big Mac sauce is not really a secret. The list of ingredients has been out there for quite some time. The base consists of mayonnaise, sweet pickle relish, vinegar, yellow mustard, garlic and onion powder and paprika. The ketchup you find in most of the recipes is to give it that pink color.
This recipe doesn’t require a lot of work, but the sauce needs to rest in the fridge for a while so definitely plan ahead. This Big Mac recipe will be a hit amongst your guests and served with crispy hot skinny fries and an ice-cold soda, it will feel like a true take-out experience.
How To Make McDonald’s Big Mac Recipe
Make the sauce a day ahead. Combine all of the ingredients and mix well. Cover and place in the refrigerator.
Divide your ground beef into 12 evenly sized balls and shape them into thin, large patties. Season them on both sides and place in a hot pan. Fry for about 3-5 minutes per side or until fully cooked. Before removing them from the heat, add a cheese slice and allow it to melt.
Butter your buns on the inside and toast them in a pan until they start becoming golden.
To assemble the Big Mac, place the sauce on the buttered sides of all the buns. On all the bottom halves, layer the onions, pickles, lettuce and lastly the patties. Place the two halves on top of each other and finish off by placing a lid on the stack.
Serve with hot French fries and enjoy!
McDonald’s Big Mac & Sauce Recipe
Course: MainCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy6
servings15
minutes20
minutes840
kcalThe Big Mac is the most well-known burger in the world for a reason. The combination of ingredients has been perfected over time to create a delicious juicy burger for you to enjoy!
Ingredients
- For the Sauce:
1/2 cup 1/2 mayonnaise
2 tablespoons 2 French Dressing
2 tablespoon 2 sweet relish
3 teaspoons 3 dill pickle juice
1 teaspoon 1 sugar
1 teaspoon 1 dried onion flakes
1 teaspoon 1 ketchup
Pinch of salt
- For the Big Mac
2 pounds 2 lean ground beef
2 tablespoons 2 olive oil
Salt & Pepper
12 American cheese slices
3-5 tablespoons butter, soft
12 sesame seed hamburger buns, 6 tops and 12 bottoms
Onions, finely chopped
Dill pickles, sliced
Lettuce, shredded
Directions
- To make the sauce, combine all of the ingredients in a large bowl. Whisk to distribute the ingredients evenly. Cover the sauce and place in the refrigerator for at least 8 hours, but preferably overnight.
- To make the patties, divide the ground beef into 12 balls of around 2.5 ounces each. If you have a patty press, use it to make thin large patties. If you do not have a patty press, use your hands to shape the balls into evenly sized patties. You can use a rolling pin to help you make the patties even in thickness.
- Once your sauce has stood for 8 hours, you can begin making your Big Mac burgers. Heat the olive oil over medium high heat in a non-stick pan. Season the patties on both sides and place in the pan.
- Fry for about 3-5 minutes per side or until the patty is golden brown. You can cook them to your liking. They are thin so make sure to watch them. Place a cheese slice on each patty before removing them from the pan. Allow them to become slightly melted.
- Butter your buns on the inside. Heat another pan over medium heat and place your hamburger buns in the pan. Allow them toast until golden. This takes about 2-4 minutes but they should not be crispy, just get a bit of color (think of a McDonald’s bun).
- To assemble the Big Mac, place the sauce on the buttered sides of all 18 halves. On all 12 bottom halves, place your onions, pickles, lettuce and lastly your hamburger patties. Place two halves on top of each other and finish off by placing a lid on the stack.
- Serve with hot skinny fries, an ice-cold soda and enjoy!
Notes
- Remember that the patties shrink a lot during cooking so make them bigger than your hamburger buns.
Like this recipe?
Follow us @recipefairy on Pinterest
Tips & Tricks
- Pre-made patties usually already have seasoning in them so it is highly recommended making your own patties at home.
- You can also toast the hamburger buns in an oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about 5 minutes. Make sure you check them often as they can burn quickly.
- You can use the leftover buns to make croutons or garlic bread.
Conclusion
The copycat McDonald’s Big Mac is truly a burger that brings people together. It has such sentimental value connected to it that you would want one every day if you could. It is easy to make at home and you can even turn it into an activity with family or friends.
Combine this with a strawberry and banana smoothie and you’re in for a treat. If you’re like me and want to over indulge, be sure to check out our McDonalds chicken nuggets.
A burger with the perfect balance between savory and sweet and the perfect combination of textures. It is a recipe that has been perfected since 1967 so that you wouldn’t want to change anything.
I am truly loving it!
