High-Protein Big Mac Cheeseburger Bowl
This High-Protein Big Mac Cheeseburger Bowl delivers all the classic Big Mac flavors—juicy seasoned beef, crisp lettuce, cheddar cheese, pickles, onions, and a creamy special sauce—without the bun. It’s a satisfying, protein-packed meal that’s perfect for meal prep and comes together in about 20 minutes.
Ingredients
Burger Bowl
- 1 lb (450 g) 93% lean ground beef
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 4 cups shredded iceberg or romaine lettuce
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- ½ cup shredded reduced-fat cheddar cheese
- ½ cup dill pickle slices, chopped
- ¼ cup diced red onion
High-Protein Special Sauce
- ½ cup (120 g) plain nonfat Greek yogurt
- 1 tbsp light mayonnaise
- 2 tbsp sugar-free ketchup
- 1 tbsp yellow mustard
- 1 tbsp dill pickle juice
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp paprika
Optional Toppings
- Sesame seeds
- Sliced avocado
- Jalapeños
- Crumbled turkey bacon
Instructions
- In a bowl, combine the ground beef with the garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and cook the beef for 7–8 minutes, breaking it into crumbles until browned. Drain any excess fat if needed.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the Greek yogurt, light mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, pickle juice, garlic powder, and paprika until smooth.
- Divide the lettuce among 4 bowls.
- Top with the cooked beef, tomatoes, shredded cheddar, pickles, and diced onion.
- Drizzle the special sauce over each bowl.
- Garnish with sesame seeds or your favorite toppings and serve immediately.
Tips
- Use extra-lean ground turkey or chicken for an even leaner version.
- Meal prep by storing the sauce separately until serving.
- Add roasted potatoes if you’d like a “burger and fries” bowl.
- Blend the sauce for an extra-smooth, restaurant-style texture.
Serving Suggestions
- Air fryer potato wedges
- Sweet potato fries
- Roasted broccoli
- Coleslaw
- Sparkling water with lemon
Storage
- Refrigerator: Store the beef, vegetables, and sauce separately in airtight containers for up to 4 days.
- Freezing: Freeze only the cooked beef for up to 3 months.
- Reheat: Warm the beef in the microwave or a skillet, then assemble with the fresh ingredients.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 4
Nutrition (Per Serving)
- Calories: ~410
- Protein: 38–42 g
- Carbohydrates: ~10 g
- Fat: ~23 g
- Fiber: ~2 g