Homemade Big Mac and Fries

This recipe is a home cooked fakeaway version of the classic Big Mac, yet tastier and more filling. It is very satisfying to tuck into and has dairy-free and gluten-free options if required.

Preparation time - 20 minutes
Cooking time - 20 minutes

Ingredients (serves 4)

For the burger sauce

80g Tomato sauce

80g Mayonnaise

1/2 tsp sugar

1 1/2 tsp white vinegar

1/2 onion

1 tbsp crispy onions

For the burger and chips

500g beef steak mince

1/2 onion

1 egg

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp black pepper

2 tsp oil

4 crispy lettuce leaves such as romaine or iceberg

4 jacket-sized potatoes

4 gherkins

100g cheddar cheese

4 brioche buns

4 wooden skewers

To cook

1. Mix tomato sauce and mayonnaise in a bowl. 

2. Finely chop the onion.

3. Stir half of the chopped onion into the sauce mixture.

4. Add the dried onions to the mixture and stir.

5. Fry the remaining onion in the oil on a low/med heat until soft.

6. Place the mince in a mixing bowl.

7. Add the fried onions, egg, salt and pepper.

8. Mix the ingredients by hand. Divide into four pieces.

9. Roll the burger mix into balls and flatten into a frying pan. Make the burgers slightly larger than the size of the burger bun as they will shrink slightly as you cook them. Fry on a medium heat until browned.

10. Chop the potatoes into chips, approx. 1cm thick.

11. Using a deep fat fryer at 150c, fry the chips in batches until golden brown.

12. Add the batches of chips to a baking tray and keep warm in the oven.

13. Lightly toast the buns.

14. Add a covering of burger sauce to the base of each bun.

15. Add a layer of lettuce.

16. Add a burger.

17. Add another layer of sauce.

18. Add a layer of sliced cheddar.

19. Add a layer of sliced gherkin.

20. Add a layer of sauce to the bun lid.

21. Add the bun lid and place the skewer through the burger to prevent it from falling apart.

22. Microwave the burgers for 1 minute each. This melts the cheese and also causes the burger to sag slightly, giving it a perfect takeaway feel.

23. Season the chips with salt and vinegar to taste and serve in a bowl.

24. Serve the burger with a portion of the chips and remaining burger sauce.

Alternatives

The cheese can be omitted or replaced with dairy-free cheese.

The gherkins can be omitted if they are not to your liking.

This meal is a fakeaway of a meal from a famous fast-food chain, but if you prefer the 'alternative' burger option then skip the sauce, cook the burgers under a grill and omit the microwave section.

The burgers go just as well with oven chips or French fries, if you would prefer not to make your own.

The brioche bun can be replaced for a gluten-free option if required.