Wednesday, November 13, 2013

Homemade Big Macs


I figured some of you might be getting sick of my vegetarian recipes and want one with some meat.   Ask and you shall receive.  I posted this picture on Instagram and got an overwhelming response of people wanting the recipe.  This recipe is so easy- well it was easy for me because Matt did all the prep work and cooking.  These burgers were magical, maybe because I hadn't had red meat in two weeks but either way they were good.

A few notes we were lazy and used 1000 Island Dressing instead of making our own Special Sauce. We decided at about 5 that night to make the Big Macs and that didn't give us enough time to let the Special Sauce sit for hours.   It was good with 1000 Island but I imagine it is even better with the homemade sauce, I included the recipe below.   We tried to cut and recreate everything else just like McDonalds.  Finely diced onion and Shredded Iceberg lettuce are key.  As for pickles we found all the pre-sliced jarred kinds tasted processed and funny so we bought the Boars Head Pickle Halves and then sliced them ourselves as thinly as we could, they worked out perfectly.

Take a close look at the picture below that is my stomach poking over the counter:)



|| H O M E M A D E  B I G  M A C S ||

1-2 Pounds Ground Beef (80/20)
1/2 white onion diced
sliced pickles (we used Boars Head Pickle Halves and thinly sliced them)
shredded iceberg lettuce
American Cheese
Sesame Seed Buns
1000 Island Dressing or Special Sauce (recipe below)

Shape meat into balls then flatten into thin flat patties- 2 patties per burger.  Salt and pepper each side of the patties.  Try not to mess too much with the patties while you flatten them it will make them tough.   Lay them on parchment paper after shaping so they are easy to remove and get to grill.  Heat grill cook burgers about 10 minutes 5 on each side or until cooked thru.  Take off grill and top each patty with a slice of American Cheese.  Layer special sauce. lettuce, onions and pickles and first burger patty on bun.  Place middle bun on and repeat layer process.  Add next patty and top bun.

|| S P E C I A L   S A U C E ||
1/2  cup mayo
2 tablespoons French Dressing
4 teaspoons sweet pickle relish
1 tablespoon finely minced onion
1 teaspoon white vinegar
1 teaspoon sugar
1/8 teaspoon pepper

combine all ingredients in a bowl and stir well to combine,  Place in a covered container and refrigerate overnight or at least a few hours for flavors to combine.



23 comments:

Natalie said...

Ohhh this sounds amazing! I secretly love indulging in a Big Mac every once in a while, this is such a perfect (non processed) alternative! Can't wait to try.

Unknown said...

Yum!! Have you tried the homemade chick fil a sandwich? So goooood!

Amy Florez {Baby Mama Juice} said...

Wow! That looks unbelievable! I'm going to be thinking about this all day!!!

Unknown said...

mmm and now i want a burger at 8 am! hhha xo jillian - cornflake dreams

Unknown said...

I've actually never had a McD's big mac, but that looks amazing! Thanks for sharing

KatiePerk said...

Looks good!!

megan said...

omg I could go to town on one of those right now...at 9am...

Baby Shopaholic said...

See...
Guess what i'm eating tonight!

Sara said...

Ok these look awesome!
You always have the best recipes!
Sara
Life with Baby Sophia

My Life as A Plate said...

I am beyond excited to make these!!! What a super fun recipe :)

Delta Daisies said...

Wow!!! Awesome idea and recipe!

natasha {schue love} said...

MM MM MM!! You have us drooling over here and I'm not even a big fan of burgers normally. These are definitely an exception! ;)

Unknown said...

Okay, I don't eat McDonalds and I'm sad to say I've never had a Big Mac but these look delicious!! I will have to try the homemade version!

Lucy said...

Looks delish! On another completely unrelated note, swing sweaters are an extra 40% off today and free shipping! Well everything on sale is an extra 40% but I just got two sweaters for the price of one!

Chassity (Look Linger Love) said...

I'm totally making this.

April of Smidge Of This said...

I've never had a Big Mac either but if they look like this I could definitely wrap my head around that.

Portuguese Prepster said...

these look so yummy!

Julia Ryan said...

Going to need to make this asap!

Unknown said...

Mmmmm Big Mac....one of my biggest cravings so far this pregnancy. Pinning this to my Dinners Board.

Katie said...

by far my biggest pregnancy craving was special sauce! yum yum!

Unknown said...

This Bigmac looks even better than the real one!

lonelyblogs.com

Turners in the Country said...

I'm with the other gals here who have never had a Big Mac, but your pic does look tasty! I make a homemade special sauce that my hubs swears tastes just like McD's. It's just equal-ish parts mayo, ketchup and a little pickle relish. I whip it up in 2 seconds, and it tastes awesome on turkey & veggie burgers!! :)

Krystine @ www.KrystineEdwards.com said...

SO glad I saw this, on my to do list for dinner- it's almost embarrassing how much I love Big Mac's!