Big Mac in a Bowl (Printable Version)

A healthier, gluten-free deconstructed burger bowl with all the iconic flavors without the bun. Quick, satisfying, and perfect for easy weeknight dinners.

# List of Ingredients:

→ Beef

01 - 1.1 lb lean ground beef
02 - 1/2 tsp salt
03 - 1/2 tsp black pepper
04 - 1/2 tsp smoked paprika

→ Vegetables

05 - 1 head romaine lettuce, chopped
06 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
07 - 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
08 - 2 dill pickles, diced

→ Cheese

09 - 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

→ Special Sauce

10 - 1/2 cup mayonnaise
11 - 1 tbsp ketchup
12 - 1 tbsp yellow mustard
13 - 1 tbsp dill pickle relish
14 - 1 tsp white vinegar
15 - 1/2 tsp onion powder
16 - 1/2 tsp garlic powder
17 - 1/2 tsp paprika

# How to Make It:

01 - Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef, salt, pepper, and smoked paprika. Cook, breaking up the beef, until browned and cooked through, about 6–8 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
02 - While the beef cooks, chop lettuce, halve tomatoes, slice onion, and dice pickles.
03 - In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, ketchup, yellow mustard, dill pickle relish, white vinegar, onion powder, garlic powder, and paprika until smooth.
04 - Divide lettuce among 4 bowls. Top with ground beef, tomatoes, onions, pickles, and shredded cheese.
05 - Drizzle each bowl with the special sauce. Serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • All the burger joint magic lands in your bowl in under 25 minutes with barely any cleanup
  • The sauce-to-bite ratio hits different when every forkful gets the perfect amount of that tangy special sauce
02 -
  • The sauce thickens up if you make it ahead, so add a tiny splash of water or vinegar to get it back to drizzling consistency
  • Warm beef against cold lettuce creates this perfect temperature contrast that makes every bite exciting
03 -
  • Warm your bowls slightly before serving keeps everything at the perfect temperature longer
  • Make double the sauce and keep it in the fridge for instant flavor on everything else
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