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A delicious Big Mac Burger Bowl with seasoned ground beef, lettuce, cheese, pickles, and special sauce.

Better Than Big Mac Burger Bowls

This recipe deconstructs the iconic Big Mac into a fresh and satisfying meal. It combines perfectly seasoned ground beef, a creamy copycat special sauce, crisp lettuce, sharp cheese, and tangy pickles for a vibrant, low-carb burger experience in a bowl.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 650
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb lean ground beef 80/20 recommended
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt, or to taste
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper, or to taste
  • 1 head iceberg lettuce, thinly shredded
  • 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 1/2 cup dill pickles, diced
  • 1/2 yellow onion, finely diced
  • 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds, for garnish
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tbsp dill pickle relish
  • 1 tbsp ketchup
  • 1 tsp yellow mustard
  • 1 tsp white vinegar
  • 1/2 tsp paprika
  • 1/4 tsp onion powder for sauce

Equipment

  • Large Skillet
  • Small bowl
  • Whisk
  • Knife
  • Cutting board
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Cheese grater
  • Serving bowls

Method
 

  1. In a small bowl, combine all ingredients for the special sauce: mayonnaise, dill pickle relish, ketchup, yellow mustard, white vinegar, paprika, and 1/4 tsp onion powder. Whisk until smooth and well-combined. Set aside to allow the flavors to meld.
  2. Prepare the fresh toppings: wash and thinly shred the iceberg lettuce, finely dice the yellow onion and dill pickles, and shred the cheddar cheese.
  3. Place a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, until browned all over, about 5-7 minutes. Season with garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, salt, and pepper.
  4. Once cooked, carefully drain off any excess grease from the skillet. Reduce the heat to low and stir in approximately 1/4 cup of the prepared special sauce, just enough to coat the meat.
  5. To assemble the bowls, start with a generous bed of shredded lettuce. Top with a hearty scoop of the warm, saucy ground beef. Sprinkle with shredded cheddar cheese, diced onions, and diced pickles.
  6. Finish with a final, generous drizzle of the remaining special sauce and a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds. Serve immediately.

Notes

For best results, do not dress the lettuce until just before serving to ensure it stays crisp. Be sure to thoroughly drain the grease from the beef to avoid an oily bowl. For variations, try ground turkey instead of beef, add crispy bacon, or make a spicy sauce with a dash of sriracha. Store leftover components separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days; reheat the beef before assembling new bowls.