Easy Big Mac in a Bowl (Print Version)

All the iconic flavors of a classic burger deconstructed into a protein-packed gluten-free bowl with homemade special sauce.

# Components:

→ Beef

01 - 1.1 lb lean ground beef
02 - 1/2 tsp salt
03 - 1/2 tsp black pepper
04 - 1/2 tsp smoked paprika

→ Vegetables

05 - 1 head romaine lettuce, chopped
06 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
07 - 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
08 - 2 dill pickles, diced

→ Cheese

09 - 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

→ Special Sauce

10 - 1/2 cup mayonnaise
11 - 1 tbsp ketchup
12 - 1 tbsp yellow mustard
13 - 1 tbsp dill pickle relish
14 - 1 tsp white vinegar
15 - 1/2 tsp onion powder
16 - 1/2 tsp garlic powder
17 - 1/2 tsp paprika

# Directions:

01 - Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef, salt, pepper, and smoked paprika. Cook, breaking up the beef, until browned and cooked through, about 6–8 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
02 - While the beef cooks, chop lettuce, halve tomatoes, slice onion, and dice pickles.
03 - In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, ketchup, yellow mustard, dill pickle relish, white vinegar, onion powder, garlic powder, and paprika until smooth.
04 - Divide lettuce among 4 bowls. Top with ground beef, tomatoes, onions, pickles, and shredded cheese.
05 - Drizzle each bowl with the special sauce. Serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • You get all the classic flavors without the post-burger bloat that usually follows fast food runs
  • Everything comes together in under 30 minutes with almost zero cleanup afterward
  • The sauce keeps for days in the fridge, so tomorrow is basically already done
02 -
  • Draining the beef excess fat keeps this lighter but do not remove every drop, since you need some of those juices for flavor
  • The sauce tastes better after resting in the fridge for at least an hour, so make it ahead if you can plan that far ahead
  • Lettuce underneath hot beef can wilt, so I usually layer extra on the bottom and put the beef right in the center
03 -
  • Sprinkle everything bagel seasoning over the top for an automatic flavor boost that nobody expects
  • A squeeze of fresh lime juice right before serving brightens the entire bowl in ways the vinegar alone cannot achieve
Return