This quick and easy Burger Bowl is a great option for an easy dinner! Made with real, simple ingredients, these bowls of goodness come together quickly and are packed with so much flavor. The whole family is going to love creating their own burger bowls any way they want with all your favorite toppings!
The Best Burger Bowl
Does anything scream summer more than a burger!? Nope! And if you are looking for something lighter but has the flavors of a burger, this is the recipe for you! So easy and quick to throw together, these healthy burger bowls are perfect for your next family dinner. We have even made these bowls with a leftover burger patty that we made earlier in the week! Just reheat, break them up over a bowl, and enjoy in a whole new way. And that homemade burger sauce is going to have to coming back for more!
Looking for some delicious burger recipes? Check out our complete list of 15+ Burger Recipes or try a Big Mac Salad!
Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Flavor – these loaded burger bowls really pack a ton of flavor into one bowl! It is going to wake-up ALL your tastebuds.
- A spin on a cookout staple – this is perfect for mixing up those traditional cookout recipes that are on repeat all summer long!
- The Sauce – let me repeat – THE SAUCE – I’m telling you the special sauce on this burger bowl makes the dish and it is out of this world!
What You Will Need
- ground beef – we highly recommend getting a high-quality ground beef from your local grocery store or butcher shop – it’s worth it! Option to use ground turkey, but we definitely prefer beef.
- kosher salt & pepper – because you always gotta add a little bit!
- yellow onion – we are using these to make some caramelized onions – they really take these bowls to the next level.
- garlic powder + onion powder – simple seasonings that are a great flavor combo!
- butter lettuce – you could also use romaine lettuce, iceburg lettuce, or really any other kind of mixed greens.
- juicy tomatoes – any type of tomatoes would work here, but we love grape tomatoes!
- red onion – love the little punch of flavor these add.
- burger pickles – small burger slices give it that classic tangy flavor that we know and love about pickles.
- crispy bacon – love cooking our bacon in the oven – so easy and less mess (you could sub turkey bacon too)!
- avocado (optional) – you know we are always adding avocado when we can.
- special burger sauce – we love this burger sauce so much – included in the recipe card below.
How To Make A Burger Bowl
The first steps to making this easy recipe are to mix the special sauce ingredients together.
Now, it’s time to caramelize the onions. This is completely optional step but one that will add some much great flavor to the end result.
Next, bring a large skillet to a medium heat and brown the hamburger meat with the seasonings.
Then divide all the salad ingredients into individual bowls and drizzle lots of that creamy sauce on top! Everyone can build their burger bowl any way they want with your own toppings!
Recipe FAQs and Tips
- Paleo Mayo: here is a homemade version of paleo mayo we love or pick-up a store-bought version!
- Whole30/Paleo: make sure you check the ingredients for your mayo, ketchup, and pickles when making this healthy bowl.
- Meal Prep: ingredients could be chopped or cooked ahead of time and stored in the fridge until ready to assemble – just keep the hot ingredients separate from the cold ones.
- Versatile: we have included our favorite burger toppings in this recipe but feel free to add or substitute any of your own favorites!
Made this delicious recipe and loved it?! We would love it if you would take a minute and leave a star rating and review – it is also helpful if you made any substitutions or changes to the recipe to share that as well. THANK YOU!
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Other Recipes You Might Like
How to Grill a Burger
Healthy Homemade Salisbury Steak
Garlic Burgers
Easy Beef Lettuce Wraps
Burger Bowl
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 2 burger bowls 1x
- Category: Dinner/Entree
- Method: Stove Top
- Cuisine: American
Description
An easy and delicious burger bowl recipe! Comes together quickly and perfect for an easy weeknight dinner!
Ingredients
Special Sauce:
- 1/2 cup paleo mayo
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 1 tablespoon dill pickles, finely chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon pickle juice
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt (more if you desire after tasting)
- 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon coconut aminos
- 1/2 teaspoon rice vinegar
Caramelized Onion:
- 1 sweet yellow onions, sliced
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
Burger Bowls
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 2–4 cups butter lettuce, chopped
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 2–4 slices purple onion
- 4 pieces bacon, cooked and roughly chopped
- 8 burger pickles
- (optional) 1 avocado, sliced
Instructions
Special Sauce:
- Combine ingredients in a small bowl; Stir to combine.
- Set aside until the remaining ingredients are ready.
Onions
- Bring large cast iron skillet to medium-high heat. Add olive oil and move it around so that the entire pan is coated.
- Add onions and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
- Move onions around the pan and bring heat down to medium heat once onions start to cook down.
- Continue cooking onions 15-30 minutes, turning heat down as necessary, until they start to turn golden brown.
- Once onions are golden brown, turn off heat and set aside until the rest of the meal is ready.
Burger Bowls:
- Bring large cast iron skillet to medium high heat. Add ground beef, kosher salt, ground black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Stir to combine and continue cooking until meat is cooked through. Pour off any excess grease. Taste and adjust any seasonings, as desired.
- Divide the lettuce, tomatoes, purple onion, bacon, pickles, and avocado between two bowls.
- Then divide the cooked hamburger and caramelized onions between the two bowls.
- Finally, top with as much Special Sauce as you want.
Notes
- Paleo Mayo: here is a homemade version of paleo mayo we love!
- Whole30/Paleo: just check your ingredients in your mayo, ketchup, and pickles!
- Storage: leftover burger bowl ingredients can be kept in separate airtight containers in the fridge for 3-4 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4 equal portioned bowls
- Calories: 464
- Sugar: 13 g
- Sodium: 1251 mg
- Fat: 27.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 24.1 g
- Protein: 30.4 g
- Cholesterol: 106.3 mg
Originally published April 22, 2021.
Rebecca Healy says
My husband and I are always looking for a healthy, quick, yummy dinner during the week and this bowl was it! It’s in our regular rotation.
Erin says
So happy to hear that, Rebecca! Thanks for taking the time to come back and leave a review + rating!
Vicki Harvey says
So good!!
Alyssa says
This recipe has become a staple in my house. Sometimes I even make it with ground turkey and a fried egg on top. In all honesty it is almost better then a real burger!
Erin says
So glad to hear that, Alyssa!
Sarah says
Couldn’t decide between making this Burger Bowl, or having a bun less burger…so glad I opted for the bowl! Very delicious! Anxious to try some other Wooden Skillet recipes!
Angela Cogan says
Made this Burger Bowl tonight. It was very good & the sauce is amazing! Our toppings included bacon, tomato, avocado, pickles, caramelized onion & shredded non-dairy cheese. Will definitely make this again. My 13yr old even devoured the entire thing.
Erin says
Glad you enjoyed it, Angela!
Kaylyn says
The onions are so good and he sauce is delicious. I love a good burger salad! Thank you, Erin!
Erin says
So glad you enjoyed this one, Kaylyn!
Carla Grimm says
Such a good salad / I make this all the time!! The sauce is to die for!
Erin says
So happy to hear that, Carla! Thanks for coming back to leave a review!
Jen says
I’m not sure if this has been asked, what kind of ketchup do you use? I’m assuming a whole 30 or paleo approved one?
Erin says
I am in love with the Primal Kitchen ketchup (which is also paleo/Whole30) – its my favorite!
Mel says
Holy Moly!! We loved this! We just used the lettuce we already had (romaine) and I had leftover patties from a few nights prior. We also added some pepperoncinnis (sp?). Whole family approved. Saved this recipe for next time. Good job!
Erin says
So glad you enjoyed it! And thank you so much for taking the time to leave a review – I appreciate it!
Amanda says
So easy. So delicious. The sauce is simple to make!
Christine says
9/8/21 – delicious, I have tried a few burger bowls but your sauce and ground beef flavors are the best. Will definitely make again
Erin says
so glad you enjoyed it, Christine!
Kaylyn says
I made this for dinner tonight and it was so yummy! The sauce is delicious. My husband commented three times on how good the meal was!
Erin says
So happy to hear that, Kaylyn!
Heather Ward says
This recipe was amazing! So easy and delicious. We all loved the special sauce!
This is definitely going into the rotation. Also, passing on the my college age son who needs healthy recipes for apartment living!
Erin says
So glad you enjoyed it!
Casey says
This recipe is so easy and delicious! Love the special sauce!
Erin says
Yay!! Glad you enjoyed it, Casey! Thanks for taking the time to leave feedback – I really appreciate it!
Sarah says
So good, easy, and customizable, it’s our new favorite way to eat burgers! We toss a few french fries in there too 🙂
Erin says
So happy to hear that, Sarah! Looove the addition of french fries!! Thanks for taking the time to leave a review – I really appreciate it!
Ashley says
So delicious and easy! The kids loved it. Definitely adding to our list!
Erin says
So happy to hear that, Ashley! My family has been loving this recipe too – thanks so much for taking the time to come back and leave a review and feedback – I really appreciate it!