Protein Big Mac Bowl (Low-Carb Cheeseburger Salad)
Craving a Big Mac without the bun? This Big Mac Bowl recipe is the perfect low-carb way to enjoy juicy ground beef, shredded lettuce, tomatoes, dill pickles, and cheddar cheese topped with a simple homemade Big Mac sauce. It’s an easy recipe with simple ingredients, perfect for meal prep or a quick weeknight meal!
Craving the flavors of a Big Mac without the bun? This Big Mac Bowl recipe is the perfect way to satisfy those cravings in a fresh, low-carb way! Juicy lean ground beef, crisp shredded lettuce, juicy tomatoes, and tangy dill pickles come together in a hearty salad that’s topped with a simple homemade Big Mac sauce. This is a personal favorite in my house—I make it all the time because it’s an easy recipe that comes together fast with simple ingredients. If you love fast food burgers, but want a healthier alternative, this is the perfect option for you!
Why You’ll Love This Big Mac Bowl Recipe
- Big Mac cravings, no bun needed: All the flavors of a Big Mac in a fresh, low-carb salad version with less calories.
- Quick and meal-prep friendly: This easy Big Mac salad comes together in 20 minutes and stores well for multiple meals.
- Protein-packed and satisfying: A hearty salad that keeps you full with lean ground beef and cheddar cheese.
- Easily customizable: Add extra special sauce, swap the protein, or toss in extra veggies to make it your own.
Ingredients & Substitutions
Here is everything you need to make healthy big mac bowls:
Lean Ground Beef: Adds classic Big Mac flavor. Swap with ground turkey for a healthier alternative or use beef patties for a heartier texture.
Shredded Lettuce: The crisp base of this big mac salad recipe. Use crisp romaine lettuce or iceberg lettuce for the real deal.
Red Onion: Brings a slight bite. Swap for yellow onion or skip if you prefer a milder flavor.
Cherry Tomatoes: Juicy and fresh. Grape tomatoes or diced Roma tomatoes work just as well.
Cheddar Cheese: The perfect finishing touch. Swap for American cheese for a more traditional cheeseburger salad vibe.
Dill Pickles: A must-have for that classic Big Mac taste. Use sweet pickle relish if you love a sweeter balance.
Worcestershire Sauce: Deepens the beefy flavor. Soy sauce or coconut aminos are a great substitute.
Garlic Powder & Onion Powder: Essential seasonings. Fresh garlic and finely chopped onion can be used instead.
Burger Sauce:
Greek Yogurt: Creamy base for the special sauce. You can also use mayo, whipped cottage cheese, or sour cream.
Mustard Powder: Adds flavor—Yellow mustard in a jar will also work instead.
Pure Maple Syrup: Subtle sweetness in the sauce—You can also use honey, agave nectar, or granulated sugar.
Apple Cider Vinegar: Adds tang to the sauce—White vinegar can also be used.
Onion Powder: You can omit this or replace it with very finely diced white onion or red onions.
Paprika: You can omit this or replace it with another spice.
How to Make My Protein Big Mac Bowl Recipe
Here are easy, detailed, step-by-step instructions that are also repeated in the recipe card at the bottom of this blog post.
Step 1: Cook the Beef
In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook 1 lb ground beef with 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce, 1 tsp paprika, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp Italian seasoning, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/8 tsp black pepper until browned. Drain excess grease by transferring the meat to a paper-towel-lined plate and set aside.
Step 2: Make the Big Mac Sauce
In a small bowl, combine the 1/2 cup greek yogurt, 2 tbsp avocado oil, 1 tsp mustard powder, 2 tsp maple syrup, 1 tsp apple cider vinegar, 1/2 tsp onion powder, 1/2 tsp paprika, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1/4 tsp salt and dash of pepper and whisk until well combined. You can also mix it together in a food processor or blender.
Step 3: Assemble the Bowls
Divide the salad ingredients into bowls. Top with cooked ground beef, shredded cheese, tomatoes, red onions, diced avocado, and pickles, drizzle with burger sauce, and sprinkle with sesame seeds (optional).
Serve: Enjoy immediately with a fork or scoop it up with air fryer French fries for a fun twist!
Expert Recipe Tips
Brown ground beef properly: Let it sear in the large pan before stirring too much for juicy flavor.
Use meal prep containers: Store the cooked ground beef and salad ingredients in a separate container so nothing gets soggy.
Make extra special sauce: It keeps well in an airtight container and is great on smash burgers and Big Mac sloppy joes.
Delicious Serving Suggestions
- Over a sesame seed bun: Turn it back into a traditional Big Mac with a sesame seed bun!
- With air fryer fries: Pair it with French fries for a real fast food burger experience.
- In a lettuce wrap: A low-carb way to enjoy it as a burger bowl wrap.
- With extra burger sauce: Because more special sauce is always better!
- Topped with a fried egg: A great way to add even more protein.
- In meal prep containers: Pack it up for a quick weeknight meal any time.
Do you love Big Macs? Check out more of my Big Mac-inspired recipes:
Protein Big Mac Bowl (Low-Carb Cheeseburger Salad)
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 dashes pepper
- 4 cups shredded lettuce
- 1 tomato (diced)
- 1 cup shredded cheese
- 1/4 red onion (diced)
- 1 avocado (sliced)
- 1/4 cup pickles
Big Mac Sauce:
- 1/2 cup greek yogurt
- 2 tablespoons avocado oil
- 2 teaspoon mustard
- 2 teaspoons maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 dash black pepper
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine the 1/2 cup greek yogurt, 2 tbsp avocado oil, 1 tsp mustard powder, 2 tsp maple syrup, 1 tsp apple cider vinegar, 1/2 tsp onion powder, 1/2 tsp paprika, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1/4 tsp salt and dash of pepper and whisk until well combined. You can also mix it together in a food processor or blender.
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook 1 lb ground beef with 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce, 1 tsp paprika, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp Italian seasoning, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/8 tsp black pepper until browned. Drain excess grease and set aside.
- Divide the salad ingredients into bowls. Top with cooked ground beef, shredded cheese, tomatoes, red onions, diced avocado, and pickles, drizzle with burger sauce, and sprinkle with sesame seeds (optional).
Video
Notes
Nutrition
This recipe has been reviewed by a healthcare professional for its nutritional balance and alignment with healthy eating principles.
I could literally eat this every single day!! The sauce hits it out of the park.
This bowl recipe is soooo yummy and satisfying!! Please let me know in the comments below what you think 🙂