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Big Mac bowl with seasoned ground beef, shredded iceberg lettuce, cheddar cheese, and homemade special sauce

Big Mac Bowls

All the iconic flavors of a Big Mac served in a fresh, healthy bowl. Juicy seasoned lean ground beef, crisp iceberg lettuce, shredded cheddar, and a tangy homemade special sauce ready in 25 minutes.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 4 portions
Course: Dinner, Lunch, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 360
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb lean ground beef 96/4 lean preferred for high protein and lower fat
  • 0.5 cup onion chopped
  • 2 tsp yellow mustard
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • salt and black pepper to taste
  • 0.33 cup light mayonnaise about 90g
  • 0.33 cup ketchup about 100g
  • 0.25 cup dill pickles finely chopped
  • 1.5 tbsp pickle juice from the pickle jar
  • 8 cups shredded iceberg lettuce fresh and crisp, about 2 cups per bowl
  • 0.5 cup shredded cheddar cheese about 56g
  • chopped white onion to taste, for topping
  • pickles to taste, for topping
  • chopped red onion to taste, for topping
  • chopped tomato to taste, for topping
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley finely chopped, for garnish

Equipment

  • Nonstick skillet
  • Small mixing bowl
  • Cutting board and knife
  • Measuring cups and spoons

Method
 

  1. In a small mixing bowl, combine the light mayonnaise, ketchup, chopped dill pickles, and pickle juice. Mix thoroughly until smooth. Cover and refrigerate while you cook the beef.
  2. Spray a large nonstick skillet with nonstick spray and heat over medium heat. Add the ground beef and chopped onion. Cook for 7 to 9 minutes, breaking the beef into small bite-sized pieces, until fully browned and no longer pink. Drain any excess fat if needed.
  3. Add the garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and yellow mustard to the cooked beef. Stir well to coat evenly. Simmer on low for 2 to 3 minutes to allow the seasoning to absorb.
  4. Divide the shredded iceberg lettuce evenly among 4 bowls, about 2 cups per bowl, as the base layer.
  5. Spoon the seasoned beef mixture evenly over the lettuce in each bowl. Top with shredded cheddar cheese, chopped white onion, red onion, tomatoes, and pickles as desired.
  6. Drizzle the special sauce generously over each bowl. Finish with fresh parsley and serve immediately while the beef is still warm.

Notes

Make the special sauce first and let it rest in the fridge while the beef cooks for best flavor. Always add fresh lettuce and toppings after reheating. Store beef and sauce separately from lettuce for up to 3 days in the fridge. Freeze beef and sauce separately for up to 3 months. Swap ground beef for ground turkey or plant-based meat as needed.