Instant Pot Big Mac Sloppy Joes–-an easy, dump and go recipe for a sloppy joe dinner with such amazing flavor thanks to homemade copycat McDonald’s Big Mac Secret Sauce. You might want to double this recipe!
Note: the SLOW COOKER recipe instructions are listed in the recipe card below

Instant Pot Big Mac Sloppy Joes
Love a Big Mac but don’t want to hit the McDonald’s drive thru? I’ve got the best dinner idea for you! It’s Instant Pot Big Mac Sloppy Joes! This loose meat sandwich gives you all the vibes of a big mac but you make it yourself and control what goes into it.
Why you should make Instant Pot Big Mac Sloppy Joes…
- The cool thing about this recipe is that it’s dump and go…no browning the meat or sautéing onions! It’s an anomaly since normally ground beef recipes require browning as the first step.
- Sloppy joes and the Instant Pot/slow cooker are a match made in heaven. The meat stays perfect on warm until everyone comes home and grabs dinner. It’s perfect for serving in shifts…and these days that’s helpful! Back to activities and such we aren’t always all at home when the dinner bell rings.
- The secret sauce! It adds so much flavor to the meat you’re really going to love . It’s creamy, sweet and tangy. If you’d rather not make the secret sauce substitute with thousand island dressing or fry sauce (half ketchup half mayo).
How to make Instant Pot Big Mac Sloppy Joes
- Add broth and raw ground beef into Instant Pot. Break up the beef as much as possible. I like to use a hamburger chopper tool*. Add in the onions, pickles, salt, pepper and Worcestershire sauce. (I like garlic dill pickles the best!)
- Cover Instant Pot and secure the lid. Make sure valve is set to sealing. Set the manual/pressure cook button to 10 minutes. When time is up let pot sit for 5-10 minutes and then move valve to venting. Remove the lid. Drain off excess liquid. Stir to break up meat.
- While the meat is cooking you can prepare the secret sauce, shred lettuce, slice cheese and cut pickles.
- Stir ½ of the secret sauce into the meat.
- To assemble the sandwiches spread the bottom sesame seed hamburger bun with some secret sauce, then add lettuce, cheese, a scoop of meat, pickles and finally the top bun. Enjoy and don’t forget your napkin! These are sloppy!!
- You can store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
More Sloppy Joes Recipes You’ll Like…
Instant Pot Creamy Sloppy Joes
Instant Pot Sloppy Joe Casserole
Pizza Joes Creamy Sloppy Joes Sloppy Joe Casserole
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Instant Pot Big Mac Sloppy Joes
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes (plus 5 minute NPR)
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 3–4 servings 1x
Description
An easy, dump and go recipe for a sloppy joe dinner with such amazing flavor thanks to homemade McDonald’s Big Mac Secret Sauce. You might want to double this recipe!
Ingredients
For the Sloppy Joes:
- 1/2 cup beef broth
- 1 pound very lean ground beef (I used 90/10)
- 1/2 cup diced onion
- 1/3 cup diced dill pickles
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1 1/2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
Secret Sauce:
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 2 Tbsp French dressing
- 2 tsp ketchup
- 1 tsp white vinegar
- 1/8 tsp onion powder
- pinch of salt
To assemble:
- 3–4 hamburger buns with sesame seeds
- 1 cup shredded lettuce
- Dill pickle chips
- American cheese or sliced cheddar cheese
Instructions
Instant Pot Instructions:
- Add broth and raw ground beef into Instant Pot. Break up the beef as much as possible. Add in the onions, pickles, salt, pepper and Worcestershire sauce.
- Cover Instant Pot and secure the lid. Make sure valve is set to sealing. Set the manual/pressure cook button to 10 minutes. When time is up let pot sit for 5-10 minutes and then move valve to venting. Remove the lid. Drain off excess liquid. Stir to break up meat.
- Stir together the secret sauce ingredients. Stir ½ of the secret sauce into the meat.
- To assemble the sandwiches spread the bottom bun with some secret sauce, then add lettuce, cheese, a scoop of meat, pickles and top bun.
Slow Cooker Instructions:
- Add raw ground beef into slow cooker. Break up the beef as much as possible. Add in the onions, pickles, salt, pepper and Worcestershire sauce.
- Cover and cook on low 4-6 hours.
- Stir to break up meat.
- Stir together the secret sauce ingredients. Stir ½ of the secret sauce into the meat.
- To assemble the sandwiches spread the bottom bun with some secret sauce, then add lettuce, cheese, a scoop of meat, pickles and top bun.
Notes
You can easily double this recipe. Double all the ingredients and keep the cooking time the same.
Make in the 3, 6 or 8 quart pot.
- Category: Beef
- Method: Instant Pot or Slow Cooker
*Karen Petersen is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.
Hello for some reason you don’t say add the beef broth to the slow cooker is that correct?
Right…the slow cooker version doesn’t need it!
Thank you for so many excellent recipes- I always have wonderful results. You have helped me learn and gain confidence with a new way of cooking ( at 76 !) I use your recipes weekly and always find them accurate, informative, easy AND tasty! Thanks again. Cire Gray
★★★★★
YAY! Thanks for following along Cire!
It was tasty. I was able to make 6 sandwiches easily.
★★★★★
Great! Thanks for sharing!
It was good made with ground chicken with a tsp. of garlic powder added.
★★★★★
love the idea of ground chicken
I know I will love this. The no browning the meat is a time saver. However I really like my ground beef really finely chopped. I usually brown then drain and put the meat in my kitchen aide chopper to finely mince it. Could I do this for for this recipe, and continue with the above recipe. Thank you so much for your wonderful recipes and I love your cookbook.
★★★★★
Yes you should do that!!
This is SO good! I serve it over baked potatoes because it seems healthier than delicious buns 😂 I’ve also served it over a bowl of lettuce for a Big Mac salad.
I love BOTH those idea! YUM YUM!