High Protein Big Mac Bowls are a healthier, protein-packed take on the classic fast-food favorite, offering a satisfying and customizable meal option perfect for busy weeknights or meal prep.
Key Ingredients for High Protein Big Mac Bowls
- 1 pound lean ground beef (90% lean or higher)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
- 4 ounces shredded iceberg lettuce
- 1/2 cup dill pickle slices
- 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion
- 1/4 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 4 whole-wheat burger buns, toasted (optional, for serving or topping)
- For the Big Mac Sauce:
- 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt (full-fat or 2%)
- 1/4 cup light mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons sweet pickle relish
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
- 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
How to Make High Protein Big Mac Bowls
This recipe for High Protein Big Mac Bowls is incredibly simple to prepare, delivering all the beloved flavors of a Big Mac in a nutritious, deconstructed format. It’s a satisfying meal that comes together quickly, thanks to the straightforward cooking process and a flavorful homemade sauce that perfectly mimics the original. Get ready to enjoy a delicious and protein-rich dish in under 30 minutes!
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prepare the Big Mac Sauce: In a small bowl, combine the Greek yogurt, light mayonnaise, sweet pickle relish, yellow mustard, apple cider vinegar, smoked paprika, and garlic powder. Stir well until thoroughly combined and smooth. Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Set aside. This sauce is the heart of the Big Mac flavor, so don’t skip this step!
- Cook the Ground Beef: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the finely diced yellow onion and cook until softened and translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Add the lean ground beef to the skillet. Break it apart with a spoon and cook, stirring occasionally, until browned and cooked through, about 7-10 minutes. Drain off any excess grease from the skillet.
- Season the Beef: While the beef is still in the skillet, season it with salt and pepper to your liking. You can also add a pinch of garlic powder and onion powder for an extra layer of flavor if desired. Stir to distribute the seasonings evenly.
- Assemble the Bowls: Divide the cooked seasoned ground beef evenly among four serving bowls.
- Add the Toppings: Artfully arrange the shredded iceberg lettuce, dill pickle slices, thinly sliced red onion, and halved cherry tomatoes over the ground beef in each bowl. For an extra touch, you can crumble some toasted whole-wheat burger bun pieces over the top if you like a bit of crunch.
- Drizzle with Sauce: Generously drizzle the prepared Big Mac sauce over the accumulated toppings in each bowl. Be as generous as you like!
- Serve: Serve your High Protein Big Mac Bowls immediately. Enjoy this wholesome and delicious take on a fast-food classic!
Why You’ll Love This High Protein Big Mac Bowls
You’ll adore these High Protein Big Mac Bowls because they capture the iconic tangy, savory, and creamy flavors of everyone’s favorite burger without the mess or the excess calories. The hearty seasoned ground beef combined with the crunchy lettuce, sharp pickles, and the special homemade sauce creates a symphony of tastes and textures that will have you rethinking your weeknight dinners. This healthy remake is significantly more budget-friendly than eating out, allowing you to enjoy a satisfying meal that’s kind to your wallet and your waistline.
Unlike a traditional burger that can leave you feeling heavy, these bowls offer a balanced and satisfying experience, especially with the addition of lean protein and fresh vegetables. They are a fantastic way to get your burger fix in a nutritious and convenient way. So, ditch the drive-thru and whip up a batch of these incredible High Protein Big Mac Bowls – you won’t regret it!
Storing and Reheating Tips
These High Protein Big Mac Bowls are excellent for meal prep and can be stored for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
- Refrigeration: To store, separate the cooked ground beef, toppings (lettuce, tomatoes, onions, pickles), and the Big Mac sauce into individual airtight containers. This prevents the lettuce from wilting and the sauce from making everything soggy.
- Assembly: When ready to eat, assemble the bowls by placing the ground beef in the bottom, topping with your desired fresh ingredients, and then drizzling generously with the sauce.
- Freezing: While not ideal for retaining the crispness of lettuce and pickles, you can freeze the cooked ground beef mixture for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and then reheat the beef before assembling fresh bowls with chilled toppings and sauce. Reheating the beef can be done in a skillet over medium heat or in the microwave until heated through.
Final Thoughts
These High Protein Big Mac Bowls offer a delicious and guilt-free way to satisfy your burger cravings. Give them a try for a quick, nutritious, and incredibly flavorful meal that proves healthy eating can be truly exciting.
High Protein Big Mac Bowls
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- In a small bowl, combine the Greek yogurt, light mayonnaise, sweet pickle relish, yellow mustard, apple cider vinegar, smoked paprika, and garlic powder. Stir well until thoroughly combined and smooth. Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Set aside. This sauce is the heart of the Big Mac flavor, so don’t skip this step!1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt (full-fat or 2%), 1/4 cup light mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons sweet pickle relish, 1 tablespoon yellow mustard, 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar, 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder, Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the finely diced yellow onion and cook until softened and translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Add the lean ground beef to the skillet. Break it apart with a spoon and cook, stirring occasionally, until browned and cooked through, about 7-10 minutes. Drain off any excess grease from the skillet.1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced, 1 pound lean ground beef (90% lean or higher)
- While the beef is still in the skillet, season it with salt and pepper to your liking. You can also add a pinch of garlic powder and onion powder for an extra layer of flavor if desired. Stir to distribute the seasonings evenly.Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- Divide the cooked seasoned ground beef evenly among four serving bowls.1 pound lean ground beef (90% lean or higher)
- Artfully arrange the shredded iceberg lettuce, dill pickle slices, thinly sliced red onion, and halved cherry tomatoes over the ground beef in each bowl. For an extra touch, you can crumble some toasted whole-wheat burger bun pieces over the top if you like a bit of crunch.4 ounces shredded iceberg lettuce, 1/2 cup dill pickle slices, 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion, 1/4 cup cherry tomatoes, halved, 4 whole-wheat burger buns, toasted (optional, for serving or topping)
- Generously drizzle the prepared Big Mac sauce over the accumulated toppings in each bowl. Be as generous as you like!
- Serve your High Protein Big Mac Bowls immediately. Enjoy this wholesome and delicious take on a fast-food classic!