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Homemade Big Mac

This sandwich features seasoned beef patties layered with shredded lettuce, pickles, American cheese, and a tangy special sauce on toasted sesame seed buns. The assembly involves browning the beef, preparing the sauce, and building the burger in structured layers, resulting in a juicy, flavorful, multi-layered sandwich with contrasting textures.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 520
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb pound ground beef 80/20 fat ratio recommended
  • 4 slices American cheese
  • 8 pickles pickles sliced thin
  • 1/2 cup shredded lettuce
  • 4 buns sesame seed buns split in half
  • 1/4 cup mayonnaise for the sauce
  • 1 tbsp ketchup ketchup for the sauce
  • 1 tsp mustard yellow mustard for the sauce
  • 1/4 cup finely minced onion dried onion flakes optional, rehydrated if dried
  • to taste salt and pepper for seasoning

Equipment

  • Skillet or frying pan
  • Spatula
  • Small Mixing Bowl
  • Measuring spoons
  • Bread knife

Method
 

  1. Begin by mixing mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, minced onion, salt, and pepper in a small bowl to create the special sauce, then set aside.
    1 lb pound ground beef
  2. Divide the ground beef into 4 equal portions and gently shape each into a thin patty, slightly larger than the bun to allow for shrinkage during cooking.
    1 lb pound ground beef
  3. Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and add the beef patties. Cook for about 3-4 minutes per side until browned and juices run clear, pressing lightly to ensure even contact.
    1 lb pound ground beef
  4. While the patties cook, toast the sesame seed buns face-down in the skillet until golden brown, about 1-2 minutes, then remove and set aside.
    1 lb pound ground beef
  5. Once the beef patties are cooked, top each with a slice of cheese and cover the skillet briefly to melt the cheese slightly, about 30 seconds.
    1 lb pound ground beef
  6. Spread a generous layer of the prepared sauce on the cut sides of the bottom buns.
    1 lb pound ground beef
  7. Layer shredded lettuce on the sauced buns, followed by one beef patty with melted cheese, a handful of pickles, then top with another sauce-spread bun.
    1 lb pound ground beef
  8. Repeat the assembly with the second beef patty, more pickles, lettuce, and top with the final bun.
    1 lb pound ground beef
  9. Gently press down on the assembled burger to help hold all layers together and cut it in half with a bread knife to serve, revealing a colorful cross-section of layers.
  10. Serve immediately with your favorite side, and enjoy the juicy, layered texture of this classic homemade Big Mac!

Notes

For best results, prepare the sauce a few hours in advance to allow flavors to meld. Feel free to customize with extra pickles or do a double-layer if you’re really hungry!