Big Mac Burger Bowls (My FAVORITE Carnivore Recipe!)
This Carnivore Ground Beef Recipe is a WEEKLY carnivore staple in our house!
If your guilty pleasure has always been a drive-thru Big Mac, this carnivore ground beef recipe will hit the spot—and then some. Crispy beef, crunchy bacon, and a tangy, creamy “Mac-style” sauce come together in a bowl that’s hearty, satisfying, and just indulgent enough.
The Story Behind This Bowl
This was one of the very first recipes I made when I started easing into a carnivore diet meal plan. I’ll be honest—McDonald’s Big Macs were my ultimate weakness. That salty beef, the sauce, the crunch. But I wanted to stick with my goals without feeling deprived. So I created a version that let me enjoy all those nostalgic flavors while keeping things high-protein, low-carb, and carnivore-friendly.
This carnivore meal idea brings me right back to the beginning of my journey, when I was figuring out how to ditch the buns but keep the joy. It’s now part of my weekly rotation. The best part? It’s endlessly customizable. Add crunchy lettuce or onion if you’re going more ketovore, or keep it sauce-free for a strict carnivore bowl. Your rules.
Between the crispy ground beef, the smoky bacon, and that tangy sauce—this bowl is everything.
Why You’ll Love This Carnivore Meal Idea
- Quick and easy to make
- Budget-friendly ingredients
- High in protein and fat to keep you full
- Perfect for meal prep
- Kid-friendly and family-approved
- Easily adaptable for carnivore, ketovore, or low-carb diets
Ingredients You’ll Need
Ground Beef – Look for 80/20 or fattier blends to get crispy edges and rich flavor.
Bacon – Oven-baked for mess-free, smoky crunch.
Extra Sharp White Cheddar Cheese – Adds a bold, savory finish that balances the richness.
Avocado Oil Mayo (or Bacon Mayo) – Forms the creamy base for the sauce.
No Sugar Added Ketchup – Brings just the right sweet-and-savory kick to the Mac sauce.
Mustard – A tangy punch that gives the sauce its classic zing.
Pickle Juice – Optional, but trust me—it makes the sauce just right.
Salt & Pepper – Simple seasoning, but don’t underestimate the power of salt!
How to Make Carnivore Ground Beef Burger Bowls
Step 1: Bake the Bacon
Preheat your oven to 400°F.
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and lay out the bacon slices in a single layer.
Bake for 25–30 minutes until golden and crispy.
Pro tip: Save that bacon grease! It’s liquid gold for eggs or homemade mayo.
Step 2: Brown the Beef
In a skillet over medium-high heat, add your ground beef.
Stir only occasionally—letting it sit helps it develop those crispy bits.
Season with salt and pepper to taste once it’s nearly done.
Cook until fully browned and deeply caramelized.
Step 3: Make the Mac-Style Sauce
In a small bowl, mix together:
- Mayo
- No Sugar Added Ketchup
- Mustard
- A splash of pickle juice
Whisk until smooth and creamy. Set aside.
Step 4: Assemble the Bowls
Spoon the crispy ground beef into bowls.
Top with shredded white cheddar and crispy bacon.
Drizzle with your homemade Mac sauce.
Serve warm, or pack up for the week—just keep the sauce separate until serving.
Expert Tips & Variations
- Don’t over-stir the beef. Letting it sit gives it that irresistible crisp.
- Oven-baked bacon = fewer dishes and hands-off cooking.
- Save that bacon grease for cooking eggs or making your own bacon mayo.
- Meal prep friendly: Store bowls without the sauce in airtight containers. Add sauce just before serving.
- Strict carnivore? Skip the sauce and just enjoy the beef, bacon, and cheese.
- Ketovore twist? Add a handful of shredded lettuce, a few chopped cherry tomatoes, or some thinly sliced red onion.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is this recipe “carnivore-ish”?
Some people who follow a carnivore diet include small amounts of sauces or seasonings like ketchup, mustard, or cheese. Others stick to just meat, salt, and water. This recipe gives you options depending on your approach.
Can I freeze the burger bowls?
Yes! You can freeze the ground beef after it’s cooked. Just let it cool fully before storing in a freezer-safe container. Reheat and assemble when ready.
Can I use ground turkey or bison instead of beef?
You can, but fattier beef gives the crispiest, most flavorful results. Bison and turkey are leaner and might not get the same texture.
Final Thoughts
This carnivore diet ground beef recipe has become one of my go-to meals—and it always hits the spot. Whether you’re strict carnivore, leaning ketovore, or just trying to ditch takeout without missing the flavor, this burger bowl is for you.
If you try this recipe, I’d love to see it! Tag me @yourhandle or leave a comment below with how it turned out.
Carnivore Big Mac Burger Bowls
Ingredients
Ingredients:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 pkg bacon
- 1/2 cup extra sharp white cheddar cheese shredded
- 1/2 cup avocado oil mayo or bacon mayo
- 2 tbsp sugar-free ketchup
- 1 tbsp mustard
- pickle juice splash
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Lay bacon slices in a single layer and bake for 25–30 minutes, or until crispy. Set aside.
- While the bacon cooks, heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook, stirring only occasionally, until the meat is fully browned and begins to develop crispy bits. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- In a small bowl, make the Mac sauce by combining mayo, sugar-free ketchup, mustard, and a splash of pickle juice. Stir until smooth and creamy. Set aside.
- Assemble the bowls: divide the ground beef between bowls, sprinkle with shredded cheddar cheese and crumbled bacon, then drizzle with the Mac sauce. Serve immediately.
Video
Notes
- To make it more strictly carnivore, skip the sauce.
- For a ketovore variation, add shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, or red onion.
- For meal prep: Store the beef, bacon, and cheese in a container and keep the sauce separate. Reheat and assemble when ready to eat.
- Save the bacon grease to cook eggs or make homemade bacon mayo.
If you loved this recipe, make sure to try these next:
- Carnivore Smash Burgers with Bacon Cream Cheese – the ultimate burger loaded with a creamy, smoky topping you’ll crave weekly!
