Cheeseburger Bowls

If you are craving a cheeseburger but want something lighter and lower in carbs. Then these cheeseburger bowls are for you! They have all the classic ingredients: juicy beef, crisp veggies, melty cheese, and a tangy burger sauce. However, instead of in a bun, they are served in a bowl.

🌟 Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Low Carb – These cheeseburger bowls are a lighter, low-carb way to enjoy your favorite comfort food.
• Quick and easy – Ready in under 30 minutes, perfect for busy weeknights or quick lunches.
• Meal prep friendly – These bowls are great for meal prepping.

For the Burger Bowls:

• Lean Ground Beef – I recommend using lean beef; however, if your beef has a higher fat percentage, you may need to drain the fat before serving. You can also use ground turkey or chicken.
• Onion Powder, Garlic Powder, Paprika, Dried Thyme, Salt & Pepper – I recommend using this spice mix to give the beef that classic burger flavor. However, feel free to omit or swap some of the spices according to your taste.
• Romaine Lettuce – You can also use iceberg lettuce.
• Cherry Tomatoes – If you don’t have cherry tomatoes, feel free to use regular tomatoes. 
• Shredded Cheddar Cheese – Cheddar cheese will give you that classic cheeseburger flavor; however, you can also use Gouda or Gruyere cheese.
• Pickled Jalapeño Slices – If you don’t like spicy, you can decrease the amount or omit them altogether.
• Pickles – If you don’t like pickles, you can use fresh cucumber or pickled onion.
• Onion- I choose to use white onion here, but you can also use red or even spring onions.
  

For the Burger Sauce:

• Mayonnaise –  It is the creamy base of the sauce. If you want to keep it healthier, you can replace half with Greek yogurt.
• Ketchup – Adds sweetness 
• Yellow Mustard – You can also use Dijon mustard for a slightly sharper taste.
• Pickle Juice – Gives the sauce some tang and that classic burger flavor
• Chopped Dill Pickles –I highly recommend using them; however, you can omit them if you don’t like pickles.
• Apple Cider Vinegar– Gives the sauce that bright, slightly acidic flavor. You can also use lemon juice or white wine vinegar.
• Sugar – If your sauce tastes too acidic, you can add more sugar. Taste as you make it and adjust according to your preference. You can also use honey.
• Paprika, Onion Powder, Garlic Powder – This spice mix gives a hint of smokiness and warmth. Feel free to adjust the amounts according to taste.

Step 3: Build Your Bowls

Start with a layer of romaine lettuce in each bowl. Add cherry tomatoes, cheddar cheese, jalapeños, pickles, spoon the hot beef over the top, top with onions, and then drizzle generously with the burger sauce. Serve right away!

🥑 Topping Variations

• Avocado – Will give you a bit of a creamy texture and balance the spiciness of the jalapenos.
• Fried or hard-boiled egg –  To add extra protein.
• Sautéed mushrooms
• Crumbled bacon – Adds a smoky crunch.
• Hot sauce or sriracha - For a spicy cheeseburger bowl, drizzle some hot sauce or sriracha.

👩🏻‍🍳 Expert Tips

• If your beef has a higher fat content, drain it after cooking. I like using 85/15—it’s flavorful but not too greasy. 80/20 works, too, just make sure to drain it. With 90/10, you probably won’t need to.
• Want a richer flavor? Brown the beef a little longer until the edges crisp up slightly.

📔 Storage and Meal Prep Instructions

Storage:

Fully assembled burger bowls don’t hold up well for long, especially with the sauce added. The lettuce can get soggy, and the beef loses its texture.

Meal Prep Burger Bowls:

To make ahead, keep everything separate:

• In one container: cooked ground beef.
  
• In another, the sauce.
  
• In a meal prep container: lettuce and toppings.
  

When you're ready to eat, warm up the beef, layer it over your bowl, and drizzle with the sauce. Store in the fridge for up to 3–4 days.

📖 More Burger recipes

• Vegan Lentil Burgers
• Easy Tuna Burgers