A Big Mac Bowl has all the delicious flavors of the double stacked cheeseburger, but without the bun. This low carb burger bowl is a overflowing with cheesy bites of burger, lettuce, dill pickles, tomatoes, cheese, onions and a simple homemade Big Mac sauce. You won't even miss the bun with this Big Mac salad bowl.
Recipe review
A quick look at this recipe
- Recipe Name: Big Mac Bowl
- Ready In: 25 minutes prep, 10 minutes cook time, 35 minutes total time
- Serves: 4
- Calories: 594 per serving
- Main Ingredients: Ground beef, onion, lettuce, tomatoes, American cheese, cheddar cheese, dill pickles, mayonnaise, ketchup, sweet pickle relish, sour cream
- Difficulty: Easy
Once a year I treat myself. I hit up the drive thru and order two all beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles onions on a sesame seed bun. Add a Coke and fries and the meal takes me back to my childhood.
It's a favorite, but not the healthiest of meal choices. I can justify eating one about once every 12 months. I did develop a smaller version of a Big Mac that's less of a guilty pleasure. These mini cheeseburgers are also a favorite.
Wanting a healthier Big Mac, I deconstructed the famous doubled stacked cheeseburger and made it into a Big Mac Bowl.
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Why you'll love this Big Mac burger bowl
- Low carb salad: Ditching the bun for lots of lettuce makes a Big Mac Bowl low carb. But you won't sacrifice any of the flavors you love.
- Lots of vegetables: Another plus, the bowl is also loaded with crisp and healthy vegetables. The burger makes this a protein packed bowl of goodness.
- Healthier version of a classic: Best of all, this Big Mac without a bun bowl satisfies the craving for a Big Mac, but is a healthier alternative.
Ingredients for Big Mac in a bowl recipe
Gather the fresh and high quality ingredients for my burger bowl recipe. Scroll to the recipe card for full quantities of the ingredients.
- Ground beef: 80/20 ground beef is my go to for burgers.
- Finely chopped onion: I finely chop the onion so it essentially melts into the burger.
- Kosher salt, fresh ground black pepper
- Salted butter: Cooking the burgers in butter adds to their rich flavor.
- American cheese: Deli sliced cheese is the easiest to use for burgers.
- Mayonnaise, ketchup: The special sauce gets its distinct light pink color from ketchup.
- Sweet pickle relish
- Sour cream
- Chopped Iceberg lettuce
- Chopped dill pickles
- Cherry tomatoes
- Slivered red onion
- Shredded sharp cheddar cheese
Substitutions
- Ground beef: In a pinch I'll use 85/15. You can substitute lean ground turkey if you'd like.
- Onion: Use yellow or white onions.
- Sweet pickle relish: I'll substitute finely chopped sweet pickles if I'm out of relish.
- Sour cream: Plain yogurt can also be used.
- Iceberg lettuce: Romaine is also a tasty option. Or if you are short on time, grab a bag of salad greens.
- Dill pickles: I chop pickle spears. But pickle chips are fun to use too.
- Cherry tomatoes: Substitute chopped whole tomatoes if needed.
- Red onion: Yellow or white onions can be used in its place.
How to make Big Mac bowls
If you can make cheeseburgers and salad, then you can definitely make these delicious Big Mac Bowls. This is just a brief overview of the recipe. For complete instructions, scroll to the recipe card.
- Step 1: Combine ground beef, chopped onion, kosher salt and pepper. Form into 4 burger patties.
- Step 2: Cook the burgers. I recommend a cast iron skillet. Top with American cheese. Let the burgers rest. Then cut into bite-sized pieces.
- Step 3: Combine mayonnaise, ketchup, sweet pickle relish, and sour cream for the Big Mac special sauce. Set aside.
- Step 4: Assemble the Big Mac Bowls. Divide the lettuce, dill pickles, tomatoes, red onion, cheddar cheese, and chopped cheeseburgers in 4 large bowls. Drizzle with Big Mac special sauce.
Expert tip
Rest the burgers before cutting in pieces. Allow the cooked cheeseburgers to rest about 5 minutes before cutting into bite-sized pieces. This rest time accomplishes the following.
- The juices redistribute.
- The burgers are more flavorful, moist and juicy.
- The carryover rest time allows the burgers to finish cooking. The burgers won't dry out.
Frequently asked questions
When compared to a Big Mac with a bun, a Big Mac Bowl is like a big salad loaded with vegetables. It's healthier than the traditional burger. But to keep it as healthy as possible, limit the special sauce and go easy on the shredded cheese.
It's not necessary to make individual burgers for each bowl. However it's my preference. I like having bite sized pieces of the juicy cheeseburger throughout the bowl. As an alternative, cook crumbled ground beef with the finely chopped onions and season with kosher salt and pepper. Divided the cooked meat evenly between the bowls.
Yes! This is a great low carb meal prep recipe. Make and cook the burgers. Mix up the special sauce. It's easy to keep the ingredients for Big Mac sauce on hand. Chop, dice and slice all the salad ingredients. Assemble the bowls in airtight containers except don't add the sauce. These meal prep containers are some of my favorite. And these condiment cups are perfect for the special sauce. Store in the fridge for up to 3 days. To serve, toss the bowls with the sauce and enjoy.
One more thing
Did you try this recipe?
Let me know by leaving a comment and a star rating below. Share it on Pinterest, Instagram and Facebook.
Thanks ~ Amy
Recipe
Big Mac Bowl Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- for the cheeseburgers
- 1 pound ground beef 80/20
- ⅓ cup finely chopped onion
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- 1 tablespoon salted butter
- 4 slices American cheese
- for the Big Mac special sauce
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup ketchup
- 3 tablespoons sweet pickle relish
- 2 tablespoons sour cream
- for the bowls
- 1 large head iceberg lettuce, chopped
- 1 cup chopped dill pickles
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes, cut in half
- 1 cup thinly sliced red onion
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
Instructions
- For the burgers, in a medium sized bowl combine the ground beef, onion, kosher salt and pepper. Form the mixture into 4 burgers.1 pound ground beef, ⅓ cup finely chopped onion, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, ½ teaspoon pepper
- Heat a cast iron skillet or large sauté pan over medium high heat. Add the butter. When it has melted, add the burgers. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes per side or until your desired burger doneness. During the last minute of cooking, top each burger with a slice of American cheese. Place a lid on the skillet to melt the cheese. Remove the cooked burgers to a cutting board. Cool slightly and cut in to bite sized pieces.1 tablespoon salted butter, 4 slices American cheese
- While the burgers are cooking, make the Big Mac special sauce. In a small bowl, add the mayonnaise, ketchup, sweet pickle relish and sour cream. Stir to combine. Set aside.½ cup mayonnaise, ¼ cup ketchup, 3 tablespoons sweet pickle relish, 2 tablespoons sour cream
- To assemble each Big Mac Bowl, place about 3 cups of lettuce in a large shallow bowl. Top the lettuce with the cheeseburger pieces from 1 of the burgers and ¼ of the pickles, tomatoes, red onion, and cheddar cheese. Drizzle with some of the special sauce. Go sparingly. You can always add more if you'd like.1 large head iceberg lettuce, chopped, 1 cup chopped dill pickles, 1 pint cherry tomatoes, cut in half, 1 cup thinly sliced red onion, 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- Enjoy the bowl as is or toss the ingredients to make a Big Mac salad.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Paula says
Thanks for a great recipe Amy. My husband is on a reduced carb diet so I thought this would be a good choice. My daughter complains I can't make a decent burger but I followed your instructions, used a cast iron skillet and she loved the burger bites.
Amy Casey says
So glad your family enjoyed my recipe. This is a fun salad to serve.
Holly says
Love this! So I just bought these ginormous burgers with cheddar and jalapenos from the meat counter this morning and when I got them home I thought to myself that there is no way I am going to get these on a bun! This is the perfect solution! I will be eating this tomorrow! Thanks for the great idea.
Amy Casey says
That's awesome Holly and those burgers sound amazing!! I'm going to be on the lookout for something similar.
Elaine says
We had your salad this past weekend, and it was so good!! Hubby is already asking me when I'll be making it next!! Great recipe!
Amy Casey says
Thanks Elaine! This salad is one my personal chef clients ask for over and over.
Nicole says
Your Big Mac sauce was *chef's kiss*! I might actually prefer this deconstructed version to the real deal!
Amy Casey says
I just love the Big Mac sauce! I use it all the time.
Dee says
Yum!! This is a great burger bowl recipe for a keto dieter. Thanks for sharing!
Amy Casey says
You're so welcome Dee!
Natalia says
Incredibly delicious! This was exceptional. I've experimented with many of your recipes, and they've all been mouthwatering. Grateful for another culinary triumph!
Amy Casey says
Thanks so much for your kind comment Natalia. I'm so happy you're enjoying my recipes. I love sharing them.
Katie Crenshaw says
This is my new favorite salad. I didn't miss the bun one bit! Every bite was delicious.
Amy Casey says
I'm so glad you enjoyed my recipe Katie. It's got all the great flavors of a Big Mac!
Elizabeth says
I love this idea! This would be a great meal to make for a larger group of people - can add what they all like!
Amy Casey says
What a great idea Elizabeth. Thanks for sharing it.
Kathryn says
These bowls are SO good and easy to whip up. They have the same flavors as a big mac just in a salad form so I don't feel as bad about eating it 🙂
Amy Casey says
My feelings exactly Kathryn!
Sean says
So funny story, I have never had a Big Mac but this salad was delicious. I kinda want to try the original now.
Amy Casey says
Some say it's an acquired taste. I love the special sauce. So glad you enjoyed your "first Big Mac" Sean. 🙂
Gloria says
Love the deconstructed version of the classic takeout dish. This is great since I don't like going out to get drive-thru. The family will love this for dinner.
Amy Casey says
Thanks Gloria! I try to steer clear of the drive thru too. This Big Mac salad bowl is my compromise.