Big Mac Cabbage and Crispy Rice Bowls

Name: Big Mac Cabbage & Crispy Rice Bowls
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 50 min
Ingredients: 2½ cups jasmine rice (uncooked); 2 tbsp sesame oil; 1/4 tsp garlic powder; salt (to taste); pepper (to taste); 1 tbsp canola oil; 1 small head green cabbage (approximately 6 cups) (chopped); 2 garlic cloves (minced); 1/2 tsp salt; 1/4 tsp black pepper; 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes; 1 tbsp canola oil; 1 lb ground beef; salt (to taste); black pepper (to taste); garlic powder (to taste); 1/2 cup sour cream; 1 tbsp sweet pickle relish; 2 tbsp ketchup; 1 tsp yellow mustard; 1 tsp pickle juice; 1 tsp white vinegar; 2 tbsp white onion (finely chopped); 1 garlic clove (minced); 1/4 tsp salt; 1/4 tsp black pepper; 2 tbsp fresh chives (finely chopped); 1 tbsp sesame seeds

Sammy Montgoms

5 from 1 vote

Apr 07, 2026

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If you grew up eating Big Macs and still think about them more than you’d care to admit, I totally get you. These Big Mac Cabbage and Crispy Rice Bowls takes everything you love about that sauce-dripping, pickle-forward fast food classic and becomes something you can make at home that’s at least a little healthier. Crispy oven-baked rice, tender sautéed cabbage, seasoned ground beef, and that signature Big Mac sauce all stacked up in one bowl. It’s a little ridiculous how good it is.

A ceramic bowl filled with rice, ground beef, chopped onions, sauce, and a garnish of fresh chopped chives—like a big mac cabbage and crispy rice bowl. Wooden chopsticks rest inside; extra chives sit on a plate in the background on a gray surface.

I make this when I’m craving fast food, but I know I’ll regret said fast food later. The crispy rice alone is worth the whole recipe—once you start making it, you’ll find yourself throwing it on everything. It works great as a weeknight dinner or a meal prep bow. Want to keep it going? Try my Big Mac Salad.

😍 Why You’ll Love These Big Mac Cabbage and Crispy Rice Bowls

The sauce alone: the homemade Big Mac sauce is the whole reason for this bowl. Tangy, creamy, a little sweet, it ties every single component together.
The crispy rice situation: oven-baked and completely addictive. It’s the texture contrast this bowl needs.
Fast food flavor, real ingredients: all the nostalgia of a Big Mac but made with actual food in your own kitchen.

🥬 Ingredients You’ll Need To Make These Big Mac Cabbage and Crispy Rice Bowls

Jasmine rice: the base of the whole bowl. It crisps up in the oven and holds its own under all that sauciness.
Sesame oil: tossed through the cooked rice before baking to add a nutty, toasty depth you’re going to love.
Green cabbage: sautéed low and slow until it’s tender and sweet.
Ground beef: seasoned simply and browned until it’s got a little bit of color on it.
Sour cream: the base of the Big Mac sauce.
Sweet pickle relish and pickle juice: both go into the sauce and both are non-negotiable.

Ketchup: a classic sauce staple.
Yellow mustard: just a small amount but it’s doing a lot of work in there.
White vinegar: adds a little extra tang that keeps the sauce from feeling too heavy.
White onion: finely chopped and stirred right in for a little sharpness.
Red pepper flakes: a small pinch added to the cabbage that adds just enough warmth without making it spicy.
Fresh chives: scattered on top at the end for a pop of color and a little freshness.
Sesame seeds: just a sprinkle but they add a nice subtle crunch to finish the bowl.

✔ How To Make These Big Mac Cabbage and Crispy Rice Bowls

How to make crispy rice: preheat your oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.Cook the rice according to package directions, salting the water.Once the rice is cooked, transfer it to a large bowl. Add the sesame oil, garlic powder and a pinch of salt and pepper. Gently toss to combine.Spread the rice onto your prepared baking sheet in a single layer. Press it down with the back of a spatula or your hands – about 1/4 inch thick if you like crisp edges with a softer center.Bake for 10 to 15 minutes, depending on your preferred crispiness, tossing halfway through if desired.Set aside.

Prepare the cabbage: roughly chop the cabbage into small, similar sized pieces. Heat the canola oil in a pan over medium heat, then add the cabbage and garlic. Sauté for 4–5 minutes, tossing to ensure everything is evenly coated in the oil. Season with salt, pepper and red pepper flakes.Add 1/4 cup of water, reduce the heat to medium-low, and cover. Let cook for 15–20 minutes, stirring occasionally. If the liquid evaporates, add a few tablespoons more water as needed. The cabbage is ready when it’s soft and tender.Set aside until ready to use.

Cook the beef: heat the canola oil in a medium size frying pan over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook for 5–7 minutes, breaking it up as it cooks, until browned and cooked through. Generously season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.Set aside until ready to use.

Make the mac sauce: combine all of the big mac sauce ingredients together in a small bowl and mix to combine.Set aside until ready to use.

Assemble: in a serving bowl, start with a layer of crispy rice. Add a layer of the cooked cabbage, followed by a generous spoonful of the ground beef.Finish the Big Mac sauce, and garnish with fresh chives and sesame seeds.

A bowl of rice topped with ground beef, chopped onions, creamy sauce, sesame seeds, and chives—like a Big Mac salad in a bowl. With chopsticks and a green-striped napkin nearby, it's perfect for fans of big mac cabbage and crispy rice bowls.

🗒 Variations

Double the sauce: You’ll want it on everything.
Spice it up: Add a teaspoon of sriracha or a pinch of cayenne into the Big Mac sauce if you like things with a kick.
Swap the protein: Ground turkey or ground chicken both work really here—slightly lighter but still great with that sauce.
Make it vegetarian: seasoned black beans or crispy chickpeas in place of the beef are delicious and hold up well in the bowl.

🗒 Substitutions

Rice: long-grain white rice should also crisp up well if that’s what you have.
Sour cream: full-fat Greek yogurt works as a 1:1 swap in the sauce if you prefer it—slightly tangier but still really good.
Green cabbage: Napa cabbage is a softer, milder option if you find green cabbage too hearty.

🍴 Leftovers? Lucky You.

Store each component separately in airtight containers in the fridge—they’ll keep for up to three days. The crispy rice will soften overnight, but you can re-crisp it in a dry pan over medium heat for a few minutes. Reheat the beef and cabbage in a pan with a small splash of oil, or microwave in 30-second bursts until warm. Assemble fresh each time and add the sauce right before eating.

🤔 FAQs

My rice isn’t getting crispy — what am I doing wrong?

A few things can cause this: the rice layer is too thick, the rice was too wet when it went on the pan, or the oven isn’t fully preheated. Make sure the rice is spread thin, pressed down firmly, and your oven is fully up to temp before it goes in.

Can I meal prep this?

Cook everything separately, store in individual containers, and assemble when you’re ready to eat. Keep the sauce in a separate container and add it right before serving so the rice doesn’t get soggy.

Is this actually healthy?

It’s a whole lot better than a real Big Mac, that’s for sure. Lean ground beef, a full serving of cabbage, and a sauce made from real ingredients — it’s a solid, balanced meal. Use lean beef and Greek yogurt instead of sour cream if you want to lighten it up even more.

How spicy is this?

Not very. The red pepper flakes in the cabbage add a very mild background warmth rather than actual heat. If you’re sensitive to spice, just leave them out entirely. If you want more heat, a drizzle of sriracha over the finished bowl is the move.

What if I don’t have pickle juice?

A small splash of white vinegar works as a substitute, though the sauce will be slightly less pickle-forward. If you have a jar of pickles in the fridge, just drain a little juice from that.

👩‍🍳 Hungry For More?

If these Big Mac Cabbage and Crispy Rice Bowls hit the spot, here are a few more recipes you’re going to want to make next:

💌 Let’s Stay Connected

Keep in touch with me on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and Pinterest! If you do make this Big Mac Salad recipe (or any recipe of mine) don’t forget to leave a review.