Big Mac in a Bowl
Big Mac in a Bowl layers seasoned ground beef, crisp iceberg lettuce, cheddar, pickles, onion, and creamy burger sauce into a satisfying bunless bowl. It is a practical low carb meal prep lunch for workdays, make-ahead dinners, or burger cravings at home.
Equipment
- Large skillet
- Mixing bowl
- Cutting Board
- Chef's Knife
- Measuring cups and spoons
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
- 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 2 tsp minced garlic
- 1 cup cheddar cheese shredded
- 4 dill pickles sliced, plus more to taste
- 1/2 cup onion minced
- 1 head iceberg lettuce chopped
- 1/2 tsp sesame seeds or everything bagel seasoning
- 1/2 cup mayo
- 2 Tbsp low carb pickle relish or chopped pickle with juice
- 1 Tbsp ketchup
- 1/2 tsp yellow mustard
- 1/4 tsp monk fruit plus more to taste
- 1/2 tsp garlic salt or garlic powder with salt
- 1/4 tsp onion powder
Instructions
- Stir mayo, relish, ketchup, mustard, monk fruit, garlic salt, and onion powder together until creamy.
- Chop the lettuce, mince the onion, slice the pickles, and set out the cheddar and sesame seeds.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat and stir in the minced garlic for 20 seconds.
- Add ground beef, sea salt, and black pepper, then cook until browned and no longer pink.
- Drain excess grease if needed so the bowl does not become oily.
- Divide lettuce among bowls and top with warm beef, cheddar, pickles, onion, and sesame seeds.
- Drizzle sauce over each bowl just before serving or pack it separately for meal prep.
Notes
Storage: Keep cooked beef, lettuce, sauce, and toppings in separate airtight containers for 3 to 4 days.
Reheating: Warm only the beef in the microwave or a skillet, then add it to cold lettuce.
Freezing: Freeze the cooked beef for up to 2 months, but do not freeze lettuce, sauce, pickles, or cheese.
Expert Tips: Dry the lettuce well and drain any excess beef grease for a cleaner meal prep bowl.
Variations: Use ground turkey, romaine, American cheese, spicy sauce, or extra pickles to adjust the bowl.
Low-Carb Tips: Use low carb relish and keep the ketchup small to maintain the low carb angle.