Big Mac Burger Bowls

A deconstructed burger bowl layered with seasoned beef, crispy toasted bread cubes, shredded lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions, and a creamy special sauce for a fun, Big Mac–inspired meal.

This recipe transforms all the classic flavors of a cheeseburger into a fun and easy-to-eat bowl. Seasoned ground beef is cooked until perfectly browned, then layered over a bed of shredded lettuce with crispy toasted bread cubes, shredded cheese, diced pickles, onions, and an optional burst of freshness from tomatoes. A homemade special sauce, tangy and creamy with just the right hint of sweetness, is drizzled over the top to tie everything together. Finished with a sprinkle of sesame seeds for a true burger feel, this dish is perfect for a quick weeknight meal or a playful twist on a favorite fast-food classic.

Servings

Prep Time

15 minutes

Cook Time

15 minutes

Total Time

30 minutes

Ingredients

For the Beef
1 lb ground beef
Salt and pepper, to taste
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp onion powder

For the Bread “Croutons”
2–3 slices sandwich bread
Optional: melted butter or spray oil + sesame seeds

For the Bowls
2 cups shredded iceberg lettuce, or romaine
1/2 cup shredded cheddar or American cheese
1/2 cup diced dill pickles
1/2 small white onion, finely diced
1 medium tomato, diced

For the Special Sauce
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1 tbsp ketchup
1 tbsp yellow mustard
1 tbsp minced pickles + pinch of sugar
1/2 tsp white vinegar
1/2 tsp onion powder
Pinch of paprika

Instructions

Cook the Beef
Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef, seasoning with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Cook, breaking into small crumbles, 6–8 minutes until browned and cooked through. Drain excess grease if needed.

Toast the Bread
While beef cooks, lightly toast bread slices. Cut into bite-sized cubes. Toss with melted butter or spray oil and a sprinkle of sesame seeds for extra burger-bun flavor.

Make the Special Sauce
In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, relish, vinegar, onion powder, and paprika until smooth. Adjust seasoning to taste.

Assemble the Bowls
Layer shredded lettuce in bowls. Scatter toasted bread cubes across the lettuce. Spoon beef over the top. Sprinkle with shredded cheese. Add diced pickles, onions, and tomatoes (if using). Drizzle generously with Special Sauce. Finish with sesame seeds on top, if desired.

Serve
Enjoy immediately while the bread is crisp and beef is warm.

Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef, seasoning with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder.

Cook, breaking into small crumbles, until browned and cooked through (6–8 minutes). Drain excess grease if necessary.

While the beef cooks, lightly toast the bread slices. Cut into bite-sized cubes (like mini croutons). Optionally, toss them in a little melted butter or spray oil and a sprinkle of sesame seeds for extra Big Mac flavor.