What the heck is this?
This is everything you love about a big, juicy cheeseburger—minus the bun, plus a whole lot of freshness, crunch, and flavor-packed toppings. A burger bowl is basically a deconstructed burger turned into a hearty, healthy meal that you can eat with a fork. Think seasoned ground beef, crisp lettuce, juicy tomatoes, crunchy pickles, maybe some sautéed onions, a slice of avocado, and a tangy “special sauce” drizzled on top. It’s fast, flexible, meal-prep approved, and honestly way more satisfying than it has any right to be.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Because it scratches the burger itch without the greasy aftermath. It’s low-carb (if you want it to be), high-protein, and wildly customizable. You get the savory satisfaction of a cheeseburger in a way that makes you feel great after eating it. Whether you’re keto-curious, watching your carbs, or just want a burger without the mess, this bowl delivers. Plus, it comes together in under 30 minutes and works great for weeknight dinners or prepped lunches.
The Good Stuff You’ll Need
For the Beef:
- 1 lb ground beef (85/15 or leaner)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- Salt and pepper, to taste
For the Bowl Base:
- 4 cups chopped romaine or iceberg lettuce
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- ½ red onion, thinly sliced or sautéed
- 1 large dill pickle, sliced or chopped
- 1 avocado, sliced
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
- Optional add-ins: cooked bacon crumbles, sautéed mushrooms, pickled jalapeños
For the Burger Bowl Sauce (aka “special sauce”):
- ¼ cup mayo (or Greek yogurt for a lighter version)
- 1 tablespoon ketchup
- 1 tablespoon mustard
- 1 teaspoon dill pickle juice
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- Dash of hot sauce (optional)
Let’s Do This
- Brown the beef: Heat a skillet over medium-high. Add the ground beef, season with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and Worcestershire. Cook until browned and fully cooked, breaking it up with a spatula as it cooks (about 7–8 minutes). Drain excess fat if needed.
- Make the sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together mayo, ketchup, mustard, pickle juice, paprika, and hot sauce. Adjust to taste—add more mustard for tang, or more pickle juice for that signature zing.
- Build your bowls: Start with a bed of lettuce, then pile on the beef, tomatoes, onions, pickles, avocado, cheese, and any other toppings you love. Drizzle generously with the burger sauce.
- Serve and devour: Fork + knife required. Bonus points if you eat it outside with a cold drink and pretend it’s BBQ season.
Serving Suggestions
Pair this with oven-baked fries, sweet potato wedges, or roasted cauliflower if you want a warm side. Or just go all-in with a big sparkling water and a handful of kettle chips. These bowls are also amazing packed up for lunch—you can keep the sauce separate until ready to eat to keep it crisp.
Switch It Up
- Use ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option.
- Add a fried or soft-boiled egg on top for a burger-meets-brunch vibe.
- Sub in blue cheese and buffalo sauce for a spicy twist.
- Go bun-style by wrapping everything in a giant lettuce leaf or serving with a toasted English muffin on the side.
- Make it vegetarian by using lentils, black beans, or a plant-based ground beef substitute.
Make-Ahead Tips
The cooked beef keeps well in the fridge for up to 4 days. Chop your veggies and store them in airtight containers. Mix the sauce in advance and refrigerate. When ready to eat, just assemble everything and enjoy! You can also portion it into meal prep containers for the week—just leave the lettuce and sauce separate until serving for max freshness.
Questions People Actually Ask
Is this keto-friendly? Yep, just skip the ketchup or use a low-sugar version and you’ve got yourself a solid keto meal.
Can I make this dairy-free? Sure thing—just skip the cheese or use a dairy-free shredded cheese alternative.
What’s the best beef for this? An 85/15 ground beef is ideal for flavor without being too greasy, but leaner or fattier blends work too.
Can I make this vegetarian? Absolutely—try using seasoned tofu crumbles, lentils, or a veggie burger patty chopped up.
The Ultimate Burger Bowl Recipe: Healthy, Easy, and Delicious (Like a Cheeseburger Went to the Gym)
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
This is everything you love about a big, juicy cheeseburger—minus the bun, plus a whole lot of freshness, crunch, and flavor-packed toppings. A burger bowl is basically a deconstructed burger turned into a hearty, healthy meal that you can eat with a fork. Think seasoned ground beef, crisp lettuce, juicy tomatoes, crunchy pickles, maybe some sautéed onions, a slice of avocado, and a tangy “special sauce” drizzled on top. It’s fast, flexible, meal-prep approved, and honestly way more satisfying than it has any right to be.
Ingredients
For the Beef:
1 lb ground beef (85/15 or leaner)
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
Salt and pepper, to taste
For the Bowl Base:
4 cups chopped romaine or iceberg lettuce
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
½ red onion, thinly sliced or sautéed
1 large dill pickle, sliced or chopped
1 avocado, sliced
½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
Optional add-ins: cooked bacon crumbles, sautéed mushrooms, pickled jalapeños
For the Burger Bowl Sauce (aka “special sauce”):
¼ cup mayo (or Greek yogurt for a lighter version)
1 tablespoon ketchup
1 tablespoon mustard
1 teaspoon dill pickle juice
½ teaspoon paprika
Dash of hot sauce (optional)
Instructions
Brown the beef: Heat a skillet over medium-high. Add the ground beef, season with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and Worcestershire. Cook until browned and fully cooked, breaking it up with a spatula as it cooks (about 7–8 minutes). Drain excess fat if needed.
Make the sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together mayo, ketchup, mustard, pickle juice, paprika, and hot sauce. Adjust to taste—add more mustard for tang, or more pickle juice for that signature zing.
Build your bowls: Start with a bed of lettuce, then pile on the beef, tomatoes, onions, pickles, avocado, cheese, and any other toppings you love. Drizzle generously with the burger sauce.
Serve and devour: Fork + knife required. Bonus points if you eat it outside with a cold drink and pretend it’s BBQ season.
Notes
Pair this with oven-baked fries, sweet potato wedges, or roasted cauliflower if you want a warm side. Or just go all-in with a big sparkling water and a handful of kettle chips. These bowls are also amazing packed up for lunch—you can keep the sauce separate until ready to eat to keep it crisp.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
Nutrition
- Calories: ~520 kcal per serving
- Fat: ~35g
- Carbohydrates: ~12g
- Protein: ~32g