Kenji's Better Big Mac

Indulge in fast-food nostalgia with a gourmet twist by making "Kenji's Better Big Mac" at home! This mouthwatering recipe reimagines the iconic burger with high-quality ingredients and a focus on flavor. Juicy, perfectly seasoned 80/20 beef patties, melty American cheese, and a creamy homemade special sauce packed with tangy and smoky notes take center stage. Nestled between toasted sesame seed buns, with layers of crisp iceberg lettuce, finely diced onion, and dill pickle slices, this double-decker burger delivers all the classic textures and tastes you love with a fresh, upscale spin. Perfect for a quick dinner or weekend treat, it’s ready in just 25 minutes and pairs deliciously with your favorite fries or sides. Skip the drive-thru—it’s time to elevate your burger night!

Nutriscore Rating: 54/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:10 mins

Total Time:25 mins

Servings: 2

Ingredients

• 0.5 pound Ground beef (80/20 blend)
• 0.5 teaspoon Salt
• 0.25 teaspoon Black pepper
• 0.25 cup Mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoon Yellow mustard
• 1 tablespoon Sweet pickle relish
• 1 teaspoon White vinegar
• 1 teaspoon Sugar
• 0.5 teaspoon Onion powder
• 0.5 teaspoon Garlic powder
• 0.25 teaspoon Paprika
• 1 cup Iceberg lettuce (shredded)
• 0.25 cup Yellow onion (finely diced)
• 2 slices American cheese slices
• 4 slices Dill pickle slices
• 2 buns Sesame seed hamburger buns
• 1 tablespoon Unsalted butter

Directions

Step 1

1. Prepare the special sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, yellow mustard, sweet pickle relish, white vinegar, sugar, onion powder, garlic powder, and paprika. Cover and refrigerate until needed.

Step 2

2. Shape the beef patties: Divide the ground beef into four equal portions (each around 2 ounces) and gently shape into thin, round patties. Season both sides lightly with salt and black pepper. Keep them thin as they will shrink slightly during cooking.

Step 3

3. Toast the buns: Divide one of the sesame seed buns into three pieces (top, bottom, and middle layer). Melt unsalted butter in a skillet over medium heat. Toast all three layers of that bun and both halves of the second bun until golden brown. Set them aside.

Step 4

4. Cook the patties: Heat a large skillet or griddle over high heat. Cook the patties for about 2 minutes on the first side, pressing down gently to ensure contact with the pan. Flip and place a slice of American cheese on two of the patties. Cook for 1-2 additional minutes until the cheese is melted and the patties are cooked through.

Step 5

5. Assemble the burger: On the bottom bun layer, spread a tablespoon of special sauce, then sprinkle diced onion and shredded lettuce evenly over it. Place one of the cheeseburger patties on top, followed by two slices of pickle. Add the middle bun layer, repeating the sauce, onion, lettuce, patty, and pickle. Top with the top bun layer.

Step 6

6. Serve and enjoy: Serve immediately while warm, alongside crispy fries or your favorite side!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(639.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1698.2

Total Fat 124.8g	0%
Saturated Fat 40.7g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0g
Cholesterol 304.4mg	0%
Sodium 3544.5mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 85.4g	0%
Dietary Fiber 4.6g	0%
Total Sugars 21.9g
Protein 60.7g	0%

Vitamin D 26.0IU	0%
Calcium 580.2mg	0%
Iron 9.1mg	0%
Potassium 1039.9mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 65.8%

Protein: 14.2%

Carbs: 20.0%