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McDonald's Big Mac (Copycat)
Community Rating
Current community rating (2 votes)
About
• 1 pound (450g) ground beef (80/20 lean-to-fat ratio)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 4 sesame seed burger buns (plus 2 extra bottom buns to act as the middle "club" layer)
• 4 slices American cheese
• 1 cup (30g) shredded iceberg lettuce
• 1/2 white onion, finely diced
• 8-12 dill pickle slices
FOR THE BIG MAC SAUCE:
• 1/2 cup (120ml) mayonnaise
• 2 Tablespoons (30ml) French dressing (or Thousand Island)
• 1 Tablespoon (15g) sweet pickle relish
• 1 teaspoon (5ml) white vinegar
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika (for that classic pinkish hue)
Recipe
- 1Start by making the legendary Big Mac sauce. In a small bowl, whisk together the mayo, French dressing, sweet relish, white vinegar, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika. Mix it until smooth. Cover the bowl and let it chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes. This is crucial—the flavors need time to marry and get that authentic tangy kick.
- 2Prep your toppings while the sauce chills. Shred the iceberg lettuce into thin ribbons and finely dice your white onion. For the buns, you'll need a top, a bottom, and a middle layer (the 'club'). If you don't have special Big Mac buns, just take a second bottom bun and trim the crust slightly so it fits perfectly in the middle.
- 3Divide the ground beef into 8 small balls (about 2 ounces or 55g each). Place them between sheets of parchment paper and press them down very thin with a heavy pan or plate. They should be slightly wider than your buns because they'll shrink during cooking. Season both sides with salt and pepper.
- 4Get a large skillet or griddle screaming hot over medium-high heat. Toast all three bun layers (top, middle, bottom) until they are golden brown and slightly crispy. Set them aside—a toasted bun is the only thing standing between a great burger and a soggy mess.
- 5Cook the patties for about 2 minutes per side. Since they are so thin, they'll cook fast and develop a nice brown crust. In the last 30 seconds of cooking, place a slice of American cheese on 4 of the patties (one for each burger base).
- 6Time to build the tower! On the bottom bun, spread a good amount of sauce, then add diced onions, shredded lettuce, a slice of cheese, and the first beef patty. Place the middle bun layer on top of the patty. Repeat the process: more sauce, onions, lettuce, pickles, and the second patty. Finish it off with the sesame seed crown.
- 7Pro tip: Wrap the finished burger in wax paper or parchment for 2 minutes before eating. This gently steams the bun and melts everything together, giving you that 'just-out-of-the-wrapper' fast food experience.