Big Mac Bowl Recipe (Easy + Small Batch)

Ingredients for Two Bowls

For the Sauce:

• 1/4 cup good Mayonnaise (I love Duke’s)
• 3 tbsp. Ketchup
• 2 tbsp. finely chopped Dill Pickles
• 1 tsp. Yellow Mustard
• 1 tsp. Pickle Juice, or more for a thinner sauce

For the Ground Beef Mixture:

• 8 oz. Lean Ground Beef
• 1/3 cup chopped White Onion
• 1 tbsp. Yellow Mustard
• 1/2 tsp. Onion Powder
• 1/2 tsp. Garlic Powder
• 1/2 tsp. Kosher Salt
• 1/4 tsp. cracked Black Pepper

For the Bowls:

• 2 cups shredded Lettuce (like iceberg or romaine; or use any greens you love, like spinach or kale)
• 1 cup Cooked Rice (white or brown rice)
• 1/2 cup shredded Cheddar Cheese
• 1/4 cup diced Red Onion
• 1/3 cup chopped Pickles, or to taste
• 2 tbsp. Toasted Sesame Seeds (optional)
• a couple handfuls of crushed Potato Chips (optional)

Ingredient Notes & FAQs

Pickles: I’m picky with pickles. Claussen or Grillo pickles are my favorites, and both are in the refrigerated section at the grocery store. Use whatever pickles you love though! They’re prominent in this recipe, so choose ones that taste great.

Lean Ground Beef: 90/10 ground beef gives you the least “greasy” ground beef mixture. I’ve used 80/20 before, and it works great, too. I’d probably avoid anything fattier than that, or if you do, cook the beef and onions, then drain some of the grease before mixing in the mustard and seasonings.

Can I use a different protein? Sure! Ground turkey or ground chicken would be great. Since they’re leaner, stir in a couple teaspoons of olive oil to keep the texture from getting dry.

What are the best toppings for a big mac bowl? Big macs traditionally have lettuce, onions, American cheese, pickles, and special sauce. The topping list for this recipe closely resembles a true Big Mac, but I tried to make it a super comprehensive list of flavor and texture. The chips are my way of adding “fries” to the mix, and the sesame seeds are a nod to the bun on a Big Mac.

Get creative with toppings. These are suggestions, not rules. Add more cheese if you’re in a cheesy mood, extra pickles or onions for more flavor + crunch. Add tomatoes (cherry tomatoes would be great), other veggies, or a ton of extra sauce if that’s your favorite part. Make it yours.

Can I make this low carb? Totally! To reduce the carbs, leave out the rice, add more lettuce, and leave the chips off if you’re going for a healthier bowl.

Can I make this a salad? Absolutely. Just leave out the rice and add as much lettuce as you like! A combination of iceberg lettuce and romaine would be great for a Big Mac salad.

Recipe Tips & Tricks

• Make the Sauce First. The flavors get better as it sits, so make it up to an hour before serving if you can. Make extra if you’re feeling it!
• Use Microwavable Rice for a super quick meal and easier cleanup.
• Shred your own lettuce if possible. For super crisp lettuce, grab a head of iceberg lettuce and thinly slice it. Bagged shredded lettuce can sometimes be a little soggy, but if you’re in a hurry, it’s totally fine! Use leftover lettuce on these Easy Chipotle Chicken Tacos, 20 Minute Chicken Bacon Ranch Bowls, or Buffalo Chicken Wraps.

Ways to Customize This Recipe

• Protein Substitutions: Ground turkey, ground chicken, or even chopped grilled chicken all work well!
• Make It Low-Carb or Keto: Skip the rice and crushed potato chips and add extra lettuce, pickles, and sauce.
• Turn it into a Wrap: Scoop everything into large (burrito-sized), warm tortillas and roll into wraps. Or spoon rice and the ground beef mixture into lettuce wraps, then add toppings and special sauce.
• Make them Spicy: Add chopped fresh jalapeños to the ground beef as it cooks, or use freshly sliced jalapeños as a topping.
• Swap the Cheese: Skip it if cheese if isn’t your thing. Or use Pepper Jack, American, Colby Jack, or an aged cheddar cheese. Whatever you love or have on hand!
• Meal Prep Version: Store everything separately, then build the bowls before serving. The ground beef is great cod, but you can easily reheat it in a small skillet before assembling.

How to Store & Reheat Leftovers

In the Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. If you’re meal prepping, store everything separately and assemble the bowls before serving.

To Reheat: Reheat the ground beef mixture in a small skillet over low heat until warmed through, then add to the bowls.

More Weeknight Bowl Recipes for Two

• 20 Minute Chicken Bacon Ranch Bowls for Two
• The viral recipe! Sweet Potato, Chicken, and Kale Bowls for Two (these have over 300 5* reviews on Pinterest!)
• Buffalo Chicken + Roasted Broccoli Bowls for Two
• Chicken Fajita Rice Bowls for Two
• Easy Greek Chicken Rice Bowls for Two