This Big Mac Bowl is a fresh take on the iconic flavors of a Big Mac hamburger, transformed into a vibrant, hearty salad. This dish features seasoned ground beef, crisp lettuce, tangy pickles, and a creamy signature sauce, all brought together with crispy croutons and a sprinkle of sesame seeds for an added touch.
I’ve been on a meal prep kick as I strive to save some money and my sanity by prepping a few meals ahead. I bought some meal prep bowls, that I love, and I wanted to find more recipes to put in them that I would enjoy, and this Big Mac salad bowl did not disappoint. The bowl actually tastes like a Big Mac, but without the sesame bun.
To make this bowl a little hardy, I add croutons in place of the bun. Feel free to leave out the croutons and keep this bowl low-carb. We found that the croutons gave a nice crunch to the salad.
If you’re a fan of bowls for meal prep, try my jerk chicken bowl or this salmon bowl.
A Quick Look at the Ingredients You’ll Need
Ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions are on the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post.
- For the Ground Beef in Bowl: ground beef, onion powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper.
- Other Bowl Components: lettuce, tomatoes, cheddar cheese, dill pickles, white onions, croutons, and sesame seeds.
- For the Signature Big Mac Sauce: mayonnaise, sweet pickle relish, yellow mustard, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, white vinegar.
Tools Needed
- Mixing bowl
- Whisk
- Skillet
- Spatula or wooden spoon
- Measuring spoons
- Cutting board and knife
- Serving bowls
How to Make a Big Mac Bowl
Step 1: Prepare the Sauce
Combine mayonnaise, sweet pickle relish, mustard, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and white vinegar in a bowl. Whisk until smooth, then cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to let the flavors develop.
Step 2: Cook the Ground Beef
Brown the ground beef in a skillet over medium heat, breaking it apart as it cooks. Season with onion powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Cook until fully browned, then drain any excess fat.
Step 3: Assemble the Bowls and Add Sauce
Start with a bed of freshly chopped lettuce in each bowl. Layer seasoned ground beef, diced tomatoes, shredded cheddar cheese, dill pickles, white onion, and crispy croutons over the lettuce.
Drizzle the chilled signature sauce generously over each bowl. Garnish with sesame seeds for an extra touch, if desired.
What’s the best kind of ground beef to use in this Big Mac bowl?
For this Big Mac Bowl, I recommend using 85% lean ground beef. It has just enough fat to stay juicy and flavorful without making the dish greasy. If you prefer a leaner option, 90% lean works too, but it might not be as tender.
Make Ahead and Storage Tips
Make Ahead
Cooking the ground beef and preparing the sauce ahead of time makes assembly quick and easy. The sauce can be stored in the refrigerator for up to five days, and the beef can be refrigerated for up to three days in an airtight container.
Storage
Leftover ingredients should be stored separately to maintain their freshness. Lettuce and croutons are best kept away from moist components like beef or sauce to prevent sogginess.
Reheating Tips
To reheat, use the microwave to warm up the cooked ground beef in a microwave-safe container. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until it's hot. Pack the toppings and sauce separately to keep everything fresh. Once the beef is warm, assemble your bowl with the lettuce, toppings, and sauce for a quick and satisfying lunch or dinner.
Tanya’s Top Tips for Success
- Chop Fresh Lettuce – Start with a whole head of lettuce for the crispiest texture. Pre-packaged lettuce can wilt quickly.
- Season Generously – Don’t skimp on the seasoning for the ground beef. It’s the heart of the bowl, and bold flavors make all the difference. You could also use premade hamburger seasoning in this recipe.
- Pack Smart for Meal Prep – Keep the toppings, sauce, and ground beef in separate containers if you’re taking this to work or prepping ahead. This keeps everything fresh and prevents sogginess.
- Customize It – Don’t hesitate to make it your own. Add avocado, swap cheddar for pepper jack, or toss in jalapeños for a spicy twist!
I hope you love these big mac bowls as much as we do. If you are looking for other burger-inspired recipes, try these out:
If you have tried this or any other recipe on my blog, please rate it and let me know how it turned out in the comments below!
Big Mac Bowls
Ingredients
For the Signature Sauce
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons sweet pickle relish
- 1 teaspoon yellow mustard
- 1 teaspoon white vinegar
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
For the Bowl
- 1 lb ground beef 85% lean preferred
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 4 cups chopped lettuce Iceberg or romaine
- 1 cup diced tomatoes
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup diced dill pickles
- ¼ cup finely diced white onion
- 1 cup crispy croutons store-bought or homemade
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds optional, for garnish
Instructions
Prepare the Sauce
- In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sweet pickle relish, mustard, white vinegar, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder until smooth. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
Prepare the Bowl
- Heat a skillet over medium heat. Add ground beef and break it apart with a spoon. Season with onion powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper.
- Cook until browned and fully cooked (6–8 minutes). Drain any excess fat.
Assemble the Bowls
- In four individual bowls, layer the chopped lettuce as the base.
- Top each bowl evenly with cooked ground beef, diced tomatoes, shredded cheese, diced pickles, white onions, and crispy croutons.
- Generously drizzle the prepared Big Mac sauce over each bowl. Garnish with sesame seeds if desired.
Suggested Tools
Video
Notes
- Chop Fresh Lettuce – Start with a whole head of lettuce for the crispiest texture. Pre-packaged lettuce can wilt quickly.
- Season Generously – Don’t skimp on the seasoning for the ground beef. It’s the heart of the bowl, and bold flavors make all the difference. You could also use premade hamburger seasoning in this recipe.
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