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Big Mac bowls with seasoned ground beef shredded iceberg lettuce cheddar and special sauce drizzle

Big Mac Bowls

Juicy seasoned lean ground beef, crisp iceberg lettuce, shredded cheddar, and a tangy homemade special sauce layered into satisfying bowls. A healthier burger-inspired dinner 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, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 360
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb lean ground beef 96 percent lean, broken into bite-sized pieces as it cooks
  • 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
  • 0.33 cup ketchup
  • 0.25 cup dill pickles finely chopped
  • 1.5 tbsp pickle juice
  • 8 cups shredded iceberg lettuce
  • 0.5 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • chopped white onion for topping
  • pickles for topping
  • chopped red onion for topping
  • chopped tomato for topping

Equipment

  • Nonstick skillet
  • Small mixing bowl
  • Wooden spoon or spatula
  • Measuring cups and spoons

Method
 

  1. In a small mixing bowl, combine light mayonnaise, ketchup, finely chopped dill pickles, and pickle juice. Stir until smooth and well combined. Set aside.
  2. Heat a nonstick skillet over medium heat and spray lightly with nonstick cooking spray. Add ground beef and chopped onion to the pan.
  3. Cook for 7 to 8 minutes, breaking beef into bite-sized pieces, until fully browned with no pink remaining. Drain any excess fat if needed.
  4. Add garlic powder, onion powder, yellow mustard, salt, and black pepper to the cooked beef. Stir well and simmer for 2 minutes until spices are fragrant.
  5. Layer shredded iceberg lettuce as the base in each of 4 serving bowls. Spoon seasoned beef over the top, then add shredded cheddar cheese.
  6. Drizzle generously with special sauce. Add toppings such as chopped white onion, red onion, pickles, and tomato. Serve immediately.

Notes

Make the special sauce first so flavors meld while the beef cooks. Store beef and sauce separately from fresh toppings for up to 3 days in the refrigerator. Never store assembled bowls as the lettuce will wilt. Add all fresh toppings only at serving time. The special sauce tastes even better on day two.