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This Big Mac Bowls recipe gives all of the flavours of the famous cheeseburger – but in salad form! An easy lunch or dinner for a lighter version of your favourite fast food.
I know, I know, I said I didn’t like salads with lettuce BUT when it feels like a burger, I am willing to forgive.
This Big Mac Salad takes about 15 minutes to make, my kids love the name and when I serve it with homemade chips, everyone is happy!
Why you’ll love this Big Mac Bowls recipe
⭐️ Fast food flavours but homemade goodness
⭐️ Simple ingredients
⭐️ Quick and easy
Sarah’s Notes
First we had a Big Mac Taco, then we had Cheeseburger Pasta, and now we have a deconstructed Big Mac burger bowl AND I AM HERE FOR IT!
It’s got all the goodies in there to get that unmistakable taste – including beef, mustard, crunchy lettuce, gherkins, cheese and, of course, homemade Big Mac Sauce.
You can meal prep by doing all the chopping and mixing, and cooking the ‘burger’ meat ahead of time, then storing the ingredients separately in the fridge. Then all you have to do is throw everything together before you eat!
Big Mac Bowl Ingredients
- Oil – Sunflower or olive oil, not extra virgin olive oil though as it will burn.
- Beef mince – AKA ground beef. I use 5% fat but use whichever one you usually buy to your own taste or budget.
- Onion – Dice up an onion to fry with the mince, and save a few for garnishing to get that unmistakable crunch.
- Garlic granules – These flavour the mince really well.
- Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper – Season to taste.
- Mustard – The yellow American kind.
- Lettuce – I use iceberg lettuce as it’s nice and crunchy.
- Cherry tomatoes – Although you wouldn’t usually find tomatoes in this burger, they add a delicious fresh kick to the salad.
- Gherkins – Or pickles.
- Cheese – Grate up some cheddar.
- Burger sauce – You can make your own if you like, using this homemade Big Mac Sauce recipe.
- Sesame seeds – These are optional, for sprinkling over at the end.
How to make Big Mac Bowls
1. Fry the onions in hot oil, then add the beef mince and garlic granules. Stir in the mustard when the beef has browned.
2. Assemble the lettuce, tomatoes, pickles and cheese in a serving bowl then top with the beef, burger sauce, diced onion and sesame seeds.
Storing
In the fridge The separate components to this salad will stay fresh in the fridge for up to 3 days.
In the freezer You could freeze the mince beef for making another salad up at a later date. Store it in a container or freezer bag for up to 3 months. Defrost and reheat thoroughly.
More easy Salad recipes…
Under 15 minutes
Chicken Pasta Salad {15 Minute Meal}
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Mexican Style Salad
Side Dishes
Greek Salad
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Waldorf Salad
FAQs
You can use a normal burger sauce if you like, but I have a replica Big Mac Sauce recipe here if you want to try making it at home. I make mine up using mayonnaise, paprika, chopped gherkins, pickle juice and American mustard. It’s honestly so good!
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Also I’d LOVE to see your cooking creations. If you’d like to share yours with me, you can tag me on Instagram (@tamingtwins).
Big Mac Bowls
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp Olive oil
- 1 Large onion, Finely diced
- 500 g Mince beef, (Ground beef)
- 1 tsp Garlic granules
- 1 tbsp Yellow mustard
- 1 Iceberg lettuce, Shredded
- 200 g Cherry tomatoes, Halved
- 8 Gherkins, (Pickles) | Sliced
- 100 g Cheddar cheese, Grated
- 1 tbsp Sesame seeds
- 1 Portion of Big Mac Sauce, See notes for recipe
- Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, Season to taste
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a frying pan over a medium high heat and fry the onion (keeping back a small amount for garnishing) for a few minutes until starting to soften then add in the beef mince and garlic granules. Season with salt and pepper.
- Cook for 5 minutes until brown all over then stir in the yellow mustard. Season to taste with salt and pepper then set to one side to cool a little.
- Assemble the lettuce, tomatoes, pickles and cheese in a serving bowl then top with the beef, burger sauce, the reserved diced onion and the sesame seeds.
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Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation. Nutritional values are per portion unless otherwise stated.
This post was originally published on September 16, 2025 and updated later to make improvements.
