Have you ever tried making your own Big Mac at home? We have and today we will share how to cook Instant Pot Burgers in the pressure cooker and make homemade big macs with big mac sauce.
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Why This Recipe Works
- Fast Food at Home: Create your favorite fast-food burger right in your kitchen.
- Easy and Efficient: The Instant Pot simplifies the cooking process, saving you time.
- Customizable: Adjust ingredients to your taste, including the signature Big Mac Sauce.
📋 Ingredients
- Beef Patties: Form the hearty, meaty base of your Big Mac, providing a savory flavor and satisfying texture.
- Sesame Seed Bun: Adds a slight crunch and nutty flavor with its sesame seeds.
- Dill Pickle Chips: Contribute a tangy crunch that cuts through the richness of the beef and cheese.
- Diced Onion: Adds a pungent kick and a bit of crunch, enhancing the overall flavor profile.
- Shredded Lettuce: Gives a fresh crunch and lightness to balance out the heaviness of the other ingredients.
- Thousand Island Dressing: Key component of the Big Mac sauce, giving it its distinctive taste.
- Yellow Mustard: Adds a tangy, spicy note to the sauce, complementing the sweetness of the Thousand Island dressing.
- American Cheese: Melts beautifully, adding a creamy, mild flavor that ties everything together.
- Salt and Pepper: Enhance the flavors of all the other ingredients.
For the complete list of ingredients with measurements and instructions, please see the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
🔀 Substitutions & Variations
- Burger Protein Alternatives: Experiment with different ground meats like turkey, lamb, or a mix of beef and pork for a varied flavor profile. For a plant-based option, try a black bean or lentil patty to create a satisfying burger alternative.
- Big Mac Sauce Tweaks: Customize the sauce by adjusting ingredients such as using Greek yogurt in place of mayonnaise for a tangier, lighter version. You can also add extra pickle relish, a squeeze of lemon juice, or even a hint of smoked paprika for an elevated flavor twist.
- Topping & Bun Variations: Enhance your burger experience by experimenting with different cheeses, fresh vegetables, or specialty buns. Consider adding caramelized onions or a slice of avocado, and even swap traditional sesame seed buns for brioche or whole wheat options to further personalize your creation.
🔪How To Make Instant Pot Burgers
- Step 1: Season beef patties with salt and pepper on both sides. Wrap in aluminium foil. Place beef patties on a trivet inside the Instant Pot. Add a cup of water to the Instant Pot and close. Set the pressure valve to close. Pressure cook on high for 10 minutes, followed by a quick release.
- Step 2: Mix Thousand Island dressing with mustard and spread on the bottom bun. This creates the flavor of Big Mac Sauce. Use as much or as little sauce as you like.
- Step 3: Spring some diced onions and lettuce, then place the cheese. Place the first patty on the cheese and add a second bottom bun. Spread more Big Mac sauce mixture on the bun, sprinkle onions, and lettuce. Place 3-4 dill pickle chips followed by a second beef patty.
- Step 4: Top with the top sesame seed bun and serve with your favorite sides.
👩🍳 Expert Tips
For the Burgers:
- Form Patties Properly: Make your burger patties slightly thinner than usual since they will not shrink as much in the Instant Pot compared to grilling. Ensure they are even in thickness for uniform cooking.
- Use the Sauté Function: Before pressure cooking, use the sauté function to sear the patties on both sides. This provides a flavorful crust and locks in juices, similar to grilling.
- Cook in Broth: To keep the burgers moist, add beef broth to the bottom of the pot before adding a steamer basket. Place the patties in the basket, ensuring they are not touching the liquid. This method steams the burgers, keeping them juicy.
For the Big Mac Sauce:
- Mix the Right Ingredients: Combine mayonnaise, sweet pickle relish, yellow mustard, white wine vinegar, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika to create the iconic Big Mac sauce. Adjust these ingredients to taste, especially the mustard and vinegar for tanginess.
- Let It Rest: After mixing your sauce, let it sit in the refrigerator for at least an hour before serving. This resting period allows the flavors to meld together, enhancing the overall taste.
- Serve Fresh: Although the sauce can be stored, it’s best used within a few days to maintain its freshness and flavor profile.
💭 FAQs
Allow cooked burgers to cool to room temperature. Place burgers in an airtight container or wrap them tightly with plastic wrap. Store in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days.
Yes, you can recreate the Big Mac sauce at home. The sauce is a blend of mayonnaise, sweet pickle relish, yellow mustard, vinegar, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika. Mix these ingredients together and let the sauce sit in the refrigerator for at least an hour to allow the flavors to meld.
To assemble a Big Mac:
Place the bottom bun on a plate and spread a layer of the prepared Big Mac sauce.
Add shredded lettuce, followed by a slice of American cheese and a beef patty.
Place the middle bun (often the bottom half of another bun) on top and repeat the layering: sauce, lettuce, pickles, and another beef patty.
Finish with the top bun.
Healthier Version: Use lean ground beef or substitute with ground turkey or plant-based patties.
Gluten-Free: Opt for gluten-free buns.
Lower Calorie Sauce: Replace mayonnaise with Greek yogurt in the sauce.
Store any leftover Big Mac sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It should remain fresh for up to a week. Always use a clean utensil when serving to maintain its quality.
Big Mac Sauce is very similar to thousand Island sauce or thousand Island dressing. In a nutshell, big mac sauce is made from mayonnaise, sweet pickle relish, yellow mustard, and ketchup along with vinegar, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika. We use Thousand Island dressing for our Homemade Big Mac Burger and it tastes fantastic!
Serving Suggestions
These are my favorite sides to serve with Copycat Big Mac:
- Crispy Sweet Potato Fries: Baked to perfection, these sweet and savory fries complement the Big Mac flavors.
- Classic Coleslaw: A refreshing mix of cabbage and carrots with a tangy dressing adds a crunchy contrast.
- Creamy Macaroni Salad: A creamy blend of pasta, veggies, and a mayo-based dressing provides a comforting side.
- Mango Salsa: Sweet and spicy, this fruity salsa adds a burst of tropical flavors to balance the richness of the Big Mac.
🍜 Related Recipes
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Instant Pot Copycat Big Mac
Ingredients
- 2 Quarter Pound Beef Patties
- 1 Sesame Seed Bun
- 4 Dill Pickles
- 1 Tablespoon Diced Onion
- ¼ cup Lettuce Shredded
- 1 tablespoon Thousand Island Dressing
- ½ tablespoon Yellow Mustard
- 1 slice American Cheese
- 1 Teaspoon Salt
- 1 teaspoon Pepper
Instructions
- Season beef patties with salt and pepper on both sides. Wrap in aluminium foil.
- Place beef patties on a trivet inside instant pot. Add a cup of water to the Instant pot and close. Set the pressure valve to close. Pressure cook on high for 10 minutes.
- When finished, open the pressure valve to release being careful not to burn your fingers.
- Remove patties from aluminium.
- Mix thousand island dressing with mustard and spread on the bottom bun.
- Spring some diced onions and lettuce, then place the cheese.
- Place the first patty on the cheese and add a second-bottom bun.
- Spread sauce mixture on the bun, sprinkle onions and lettuce.
- Place 3-4 dill pickle chips followed by a second beef patty.
- Top with the top sesame seed bun and serve with your favorite side.
I don't have an instant pot but I know my son would love this special sauce on burgers or chicken. I have not been to Mcdonald's lately but this do it yourself is even better
My son is obsessed with Big Macs, being able to make them at home would be a great alternative!
Holy smokes! Those look delicious. The Big Mac is my all-time favorite burger, so I am definitely giving this a try.
Holy smokes! Those look delicious. The Big Mac is my all-time favorite burger, so I am definitely giving this a try.
I need to make this. I will be using plant based burgers with the recipe
I need to make this. I will be using plant based burgers with the recipe
This is the best recipe I've seen in a long time! We all eat Big Macs like candy (when we eat out). I can't wait to make these for us. Yummo!
This is the best recipe I've seen in a long time! We all eat Big Macs like candy (when we eat out). I can't wait to make these for us. Yummo!
Oh heck yes, we love Big Macs, so this is perfect. I will be trying this one for sure!
Oh heck yes, we love Big Macs, so this is perfect. I will be trying this one for sure!
Oh my, I love Big Mac. Glad that you posted a copy cat version.
Oh my, I love Big Mac. Glad that you posted a copy cat version.
I love Big Macs! Thank you for the recipe because now, I can duplicate them at home.
I love Big Macs! Thank you for the recipe because now, I can duplicate them at home.
I'd rather this homemade option. You can monitor what is in the meat and make sure it doesn't taste like cardboard.
I'd rather this homemade option. You can monitor what is in the meat and make sure it doesn't taste like cardboard.
Omg STOP!!! I'm saving this recipe to make this weekend!
Omg STOP!!! I'm saving this recipe to make this weekend!
I've never actually tried a Big Mac before. This looks really similar though. I'm sure my husband would love it. He likes the Big Macs.
I've never actually tried a Big Mac before. This looks really similar though. I'm sure my husband would love it. He likes the Big Macs.
I love big mac. But sometimes, I crave it with a tweak. Going to use your recipe to personalize it. Thanks for sharing
I love big mac. But sometimes, I crave it with a tweak. Going to use your recipe to personalize it. Thanks for sharing
This looks like a great choice for Big Mac lovers! I'll have to try it with a plant based patty.
This looks like a great choice for Big Mac lovers! I'll have to try it with a plant based patty.
This will be great for big mac lovers! The hubby will surely like it
This will be great for big mac lovers! The hubby will surely like it
I was not familiar with this, and it sounds like the perfect recipe for Big Mac lovers. How cool you can make it in the instant pot!
I was not familiar with this, and it sounds like the perfect recipe for Big Mac lovers. How cool you can make it in the instant pot!