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White bowl filled with chopped green lettuce, topped with cooked burger meat, cheese, avocado, tomato, pickle, red onion all drizzled with burger sauce.
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5 from 3 votes

Burger Bowls

All the best parts of a juicy cheeseburger, served up in a bowl with crisp lettuce, juicy tomatoes, pickles, and a quick homemade burger sauce. It’s hearty, customizable, and weeknight-friendly—no bun required.
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time10 minutes
Total Time25 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Servings: 4
Author: Serene

Ingredients

Burger Meat

Burger Bowl

  • 4 cups green lettuce chopped
  • ½ cup grape tomatoes sliced
  • ¼ cup dill pickle chopped
  • ¼ cup red onion diced or sliced
  • ½ cup cheddar cheese shredded
  • 1 avocado sliced
  • ½ cup burger sauce

Burger Sauce

  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 2 teaspoons dijon mustard
  • ¼ cup sweet relish
  • 1 teaspoon vinegar or lemon juice
  • ½ teaspoon paprika
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper

Instructions

  • Cook ground beef in a medium size skillet over medium heat. Break up meat while it cooks. Add salt, garlic powder, and pepper to the meat while it cooks. Continue cooking until meat is browned and no longer pink.
  • Remove the meat from the heat. Drain excess grease from the meat.
  • Add the worcestershire, dijon and cheddar cheese to the cooked meat. Stir to combine and allow the cheese to melt.
    Skillet filled with cooked ground beef that has melted cheddar cheese.
  • In a medium size bowl or plate layer the lettuce, cooked meat, tomatoes, pickles, red onion, avocado, and shredded cheese. Drizzle with burger sauce, or ranch dressing, or salad dressing of choice.
    White bowl filled with chopped green lettuce, topped with cooked burger meat, cheese, avocado, tomato, pickle, red onion and a cup of burger sauce.

Video

Notes

1. Brown the Beef Well:
Use 80/20 ground beef for the best flavor. Let it cook undisturbed in the skillet for a few minutes to get those crispy, caramelized bits before breaking it up.
2. Layer Smart:
Start with lettuce then the warm beef. Add cheese right on top of the beef so it melts slightly, followed by cool, crunchy toppings like pickles and tomatoes. Sauce goes last so it stays creamy and fresh.
3. Don’t Skip the Sauce:
While I recommend the burger sauce you can also use a ranch dressing, blue cheese dressing, or other sauce of your choice. 
4. Customize for Your Crowd:
These bowls are perfect for picky eaters or kids—set out all the toppings and let everyone build their own.
5. Meal Prep Tips:
  • Cook the ground beef ahead of time (it saves great!).
  • Chop lettuce and prep toppings (like pickles, tomatoes, cheese) and store separately.
  • Make the sauce in a small jar or container—it keeps well for 5–7 days.
Storage:
  • Store each component separately in airtight containers.
  • Keep lettuce and fresh toppings dry in paper towel–lined containers to stay crisp.
Reheating:
  • Reheat the beef  in the microwave or a hot skillet until warmed through.
  • Keep lettuce and fresh toppings cold and add them after reheating.
  • Assemble just before eating for the best texture.

Nutrition

Calories: 470kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 27g | Fat: 37g | Saturated Fat: 14g | Cholesterol: 103mg | Sodium: 606mg | Potassium: 692mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 3123IU | Vitamin C: 12mg | Calcium: 196mg | Iron: 3mg