"BIG MAC" BURGER BOWL

I love a good salad. And I love a good burger. Combine the two and I’m one very happy camper.

This nutritious-and-delicious meal is super easy and versatile and always hits the spot. Use your favourite greens, season-up some ground beef (or ground chicken, turkey, lamb, bison, or vegan substitute), add your favourite burger toppings, and top it all off with my homemade sweet and spicy “Big Mac” Sauce.

Side note: The sauce is so tasty and versatile that I often make a double batch to enjoy with salad and roasted or grilled vegetables or proteins later in the week!

“Big Mac” Burger Bowl with lettuce, microgreens, avocado, dill pickles, roasted red onion, tomato, hemp hearts, vegan queso, Homemade “Big Mac” Sauce, and gluten-free keto-friendly crackers.

Ingredients:

• Leaf lettuce or fresh greens of choice

• Seasoned Ground Beef or other ground meat or vegan substitute

• Homemade Big Mac Sauce (below, or substitute ranch or thousand island dressing)

• optional toppings: microgreens, tomatoes, roasted vegetables, diced dill pickles, raw or roasted red onion, grated cheese (dairy or dairy-free) or queso sauce, diced avocado or guacamole, green onion, pita chips or croutons, or toppings of choice

Directions:

Make the Seasoned Ground Beef and “Big Mac” Sauce as directed below. Divide the ground beef mixture into three bowls, each with 5–6 ounces of meat over two cups of leafy greens and a cup of colourful vegetables. Top with a small handful of grated cheese, 1/8 of an avocado, diced pickles (or toppings as desired) and 2–3 tablespoons of Big Mac sauce. Each portion provides approximately 370–400 calories with over 30 grams of protein, balanced fats, fibre, and antioxidants to support satiety, muscle maintenance, and blood sugar balance. Add a spoonful of sauerkraut or kimchi for extra gut health.

Seasoned Ground Beef (3-4 servings):

• 1 teaspoon avocado oil

• 1 pound (450 grams) lean ground beef

• 1/2 teaspoon salt

• 1/4 tsp black pepper

• optional add-ins: Kozlik’s mustard, Good Food For Good ketchup or BBQ sauce, salsa, Worcestershire sauce, sriracha, or seasonings of choice

Directions:

1. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.

2. Add the ground meat and use a wooden spoon or stiff silicone spatula to break it into a few large pieces. Let the meat brown without moving it for 4 to 5 minutes.

3. Break the meat into smaller pieces and continue cooking, stirring periodically, approximately 4 to 5 more minutes or until cooked through. 

4. Season with salt and pepper and stir.  Remove from heat and drain.

Note: If browning extra beef to freeze or use in other recipes, I suggest keeping the seasoning simple. However, for these “Big Mac” Burger Bowls, I like to mix in a touch of mustard (I love Kozlik’s Amazing Maple), Good Food For Good BBQ sauce or ketchup, mild salsa, and a splash each of Worcestershire sauce and sriracha.

The cooked ground meat can be used immediately or stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days, or the freezer for up to 3 months.

Homemade “Big Mac” Sauce:

• 1/4 cup avocado mayonnaise (or use all Greek yogurt)

• 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt (or use additional mayonnaise)

• 2 tbsp finely chopped dill pickles (or use sweet pickles or relish and omit the sweetener)

• 1 1/2 tbsp mustard (I use Kozlik’s Amazing Maple)

• 1 tbsp finely diced green or white onion 

• 1/2 tbsp Good Food For Good ketchup or BBQ sauce

• 2 tsp apple cider vinegar

• 2 tsp Lakanto Brown or Classic sugar-free monk fruit sweetener (or substitute brown or white sugar) 

• 1/2 tsp paprika

• 1/4 tsp garlic powder

• 1/4 tsp onion powder 

• 1/4 tsp salt

Directions:

Put all of the ingredients in a small bowl and stir to combine. If the sauce if too thick, try adding some fermented pickle or sauerkraut juice. Refrigerate until serving. Enjoy with the “Big Mac” Burger Bowl or on top of salad or roasted or grilled vegetables or meat. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 to 4 days.

Big Mac Burger Bowl with Nordic greens, seasoned ground beef, warm roasted vegetables (onion, cauliflower and turnip), tomatoes, diced dill pickles, avocado, Cheese-flavoured coconut chips, vegan queso, diced green onion, and “Big Mac” Sauce.

This recipe was originally published on Sept 3, 2021. It was updated July 26, 2025.