Cheeseburger Bowl

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Read my disclosure policy.

These Cheeseburger Bowls are perfect for when you’re craving the taste of a classic cheeseburger but want to keep it light and fresh! They’re quick and easy to make in just 20 minutes.

Cheeseburger Bowl on a marble countertop.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

You’re going to love how much flavor is packed into these mouthwatering loaded burger bowls. With juicy seasoned ground beef, crispy bacon, and fresh veggies all tossed together in a bowl, they’re perfect for a busy weeknight dinner.

I love making classic flavors in a healthier way. These bowls are a healthier, low-carb option than a traditional cheeseburger since they don’t include a bun or other processed carbs. These are great in the summer with all the fresh veggies; however, I make them all year round!

The best part is, they’re super customizable to your own taste preferences and dietary needs, whether you prefer to use turkey or veggie burgers instead of beef, or switch up the veggies and toppings.

If you’re looking for more protein-packed bowls, try these Sweet Potato Taco Bowls or some Quinoa Chicken Fajita Bowls.

Ingredients

Burger Bowl Ingredients on a marble countertop.
  • Ground Beef: You can use lean or regular ground beef for this recipe or swap it out for ground turkey, chicken, or veggie burgers.
  • Burger Seasoning: Use your favorite burger seasoning, or make some homemade burger seasoning using paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
  • Worcestershire Sauce and Ketchup: For added flavor.
  • Lettuce: Any type of crispy lettuce is perfect for the base of these burger salad bowls. Baby crispy green leaf or romaine are both great options.
  • Bacon: Cooked bacon, cut into bite-sized pieces.
  • Burger Toppings: Cherry tomatoes, avocado, pickles, shredded cheddar cheese, and sliced red onion.
  • Honey Mustard Dressing: Store-bought or homemade honey mustard dressing is delicious drizzled on top of these bowls. Try it with this healthier Yogurt Honey Mustard Dressing. You could substitute for your favorite dressing like ranch, blue cheese, or even a classic burger sauce.

How to Make Burger Bowls

  1. Heat a large non-stick skillet over medium heat. Add ground beef and burger seasoning. Cook, breaking up the meat, until it is cooked through and no longer pink inside, about 5 minutes. Stir in the ketchup and Worcestershire sauce until combined.
  2. Divide the lettuce among four bowls. Top each with the burger mixture and add the bacon, tomatoes, avocado, pickles, cheese, and red onion. Drizzle with honey mustard dressing.
  3. Serve and enjoy!

To store: Refrigerate the ingredients separately in air-tight containers for up to 3 days.

Expert Tip: Use high-quality, grass-fed beef for the best flavor and texture. Be sure not to overcook it – it should be cooked through but still juicy and tender.

Variations

  • Make it vegetarian. Swap out the ground beef for your favorite veggie burgers. Cut them into bite-sized pieces before adding them to the bowl.
  • Swap out the dressing. If you’re not a fan of honey mustard dressing, swap it out for a creamy ranch or blue cheese dressing. You could even use a dollop of tzatziki instead of dressing, or keep it simple with a squeeze of fresh lime juice.
  • Use ground turkey or chicken. To make these cheeseburger bowls more lean, swap out the ground beef for ground turkey or chicken. Adjust the cooking time as needed to be sure they are cooked through.
  • Give it some spice. Add some jalapenos or banana peppers for a spicy kick.

Serving Suggestions

These cheeseburger bowls are perfect for a quick, easy weeknight dinner since they come together quickly. Serve them with some crusty bread, sweet potato fries, or even some crispy onion rings.

You could even turn these into a DIY burger bowl bar to celebrate Father’s Day, for a game day get-together, or an outdoor BBQ. Set out the cooked beef (also consider setting out some veggie burgers for a vegetarian option) along with all the toppings and let everyone build their own. Provide a few different dressing options and some chips or sides to go with it.

Loaded Burger Bowl with a fork.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)

Can I use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef in burger bowls?

Yes! You can easily swap out the beef for ground turkey or chicken for burger bowls. Adjust the cooking time as needed, as turkey and chicken typically take less time to cook.

Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Yes! Make sure you use a gluten-free burger seasoning. If you are using a store-bought dressing, check the label to be sure it is gluten-free.

Can I make burger bowls ahead of time?

Yes! You can make burger bowls ahead of time. They are great for meal prepping. Cook the ground beef according to the recipe instructions, and prep all the toppings. Store the cooked beef and all the prepared toppings separately in air-tight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Assemble just before serving.

Cheeseburger Salad.

More Quick and Easy Dinner Recipes

If you need some quick and easy dinner inspiration that’s ready in less than 30 minutes, try one of these other favorite recipes.

Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
Cheeseburger Bowl.

Cheeseburger Bowl

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 5 from 2 reviews
  • Author: Nicole | Fresh Apron
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 5 minutes
  • Total Time: 20 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
  • Category: Main Dishes
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: American

Description

These Cheeseburger Bowls are perfect for when you’re craving the taste of a classic cheeseburger but want to keep it light and fresh! They’re quick and easy to make in just 20 minutes.


Ingredients

Scale

For the Burger

  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 tablespoon burger seasoning
  • 1 tablespoon ketchup
  • 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

For the Salad

  • 4 ounces crispy leaf lettuce
  • 6 pieces bacon, cooked and cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 avocado, peeled, pitted, and sliced
  • 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1/2 cup pickles, diced
  • 1/4 cup sliced red onion
  • 1/2 cup honey mustard dressing


Instructions

  1. Heat a large non-stick skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and burger seasoning. Cook, breaking up the beef, until it’s cooked through and no longer pink inside, about 5 minutes. Stir in the ketchup and Worcestershire sauce until combined.
  2. Divide the lettuce among four bowls. Top each with the burger mixture and add the bacon, tomatoes, avocado, pickles, cheese, and red onion. Drizzle with honey mustard dressing.
  3. Serve and enjoy!


Notes

If you’re using a higher fat ground beef and there’s too much liquid in the pan, you can drain the fat halfway through cooking.

To store, refrigerate the ingredients separately in air-tight containers for up to 3 days.

Nutritional values (per serving) are approximates only.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 bowl
  • Calories: 484
  • Sugar: 8 g
  • Sodium: 795.5 mg
  • Fat: 31.2 g
  • Saturated Fat: 10.6 g
  • Carbohydrates: 16.5 g
  • Fiber: 3.4 g
  • Protein: 33.8 g
  • Cholesterol: 106.9 mg

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

2 Comments

  1. Perfect weeknight meal! This salad was absolutely delicious and took no time to make! The only substitution that I made was that I used ground turkey instead of ground beef. Highly recommend!