Burger Bowls are ANYTHING but boring! They're loaded up with all the classic burger toppings, like pickles, red onion, tomatoes, and crispy bacon. Plus, I added a homemade "special sauce" that gives this dish so much flavor!
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
Burger night is one of my favorites but when I'm in the mood for something lighter, these Burger Salad Bowls are so fun! They're easy to make, full of flavor, and perfect for meal prepping.
If you've never made burger bowls before, they're basically deconstructed burgers on a bed of lettuce. I love adding all the classic burger toppings like red onion, tomato, crispy bacon, and my homemade burger sauce.
Loaded burger bowls are made with high quality ingredients and are a great option for anyone with dietary restrictions because they're grain-free, low-carb, gluten-free, and dairy-free!
🍴Ingredient Notes
- Ground Beef - You can also swap for ground turkey.
- Spices - To season the ground beef you'll need, salt, garlic powder, and black pepper.
- Spring Mix - Any salad greens will work with this recipe. You can swap for romaine lettuce or butter lettuce!
- Red Onion - Cut the onion very thin so the flavor isn't too overpowering. You can also soak the onion slices in a bowl of water to tone down the flavor.
- Cherry Tomatoes - Grape tomatoes or cherry tomatoes will work. I like to cut them in half so they're easier to eat!
- Bacon - I used Applegate no sugar added bacon, but any bacon will work! Butcher Box also makes high quality bacon.
- Sliced Pickles - I used dill pickles, but feel free to use your favorite flavor! You can also swap for a couple tablespoons of relish.
- Fresh Cilantro - For a fresh flavor, I love adding in chopped cilantro, but it's not necessary.
🍴Step by Step Instructions
Step 1: Ground Beef
Start by sautéing the ground beef in a skillet over medium heat. Brown the meat, breaking it up while it cooks. Add salt, garlic powder, and black pepper. Stir until the meat is evenly coated.
Step 2: Cook Bacon
In a separate skillet, add bacon strips. Cook on medium heat until they're crispy.
Step 3: Cool Bacon
Place cooked bacon on a paper towel lined plate to absorb the excess oil. Break apart or chop into small pieces.
Step 4: Homemade "Special Sauce"
Next, make the special sauce by mixing together ketchup, mayo, pickle juice, paprika, garlic powder, and salt into a small bowl.
Whisk together until smooth and creamy. Set in refrigerator until you're ready to serve.
Step 5: Assembling Burger Bowls
Finally, add spring mix, cooked ground beef, chopped bacon, and all of the vegetables to each bowl. Finish with a sprinkle of chopped cilantro and drizzle of spicy sauce!
Expert Tips
- Toss the bowls with tongs to evenly distribute the sauce. (There's nothing worse than dry lettuce.)
- If you're serving a group, add all ingredients into one large serving bowl and toss together with the spicy sauce. Let guests serve themselves!
- Add red onion slices into a bowl with water to tone down the flavor before serving.
- Make burger patties on the grill if you want to serve some in a bowl and some as a regular burger. Chop the patty into bite sized pieces before topping the bowl.
- Make the entire pack of bacon and save whatever is left to serve with breakfast the next day!
- Use a meat masher to break up the ground beef while cooking. It saves so much time!
Additional Topping Ideas
- Avocado
- Hot Sauce/Buffalo Sauce
- Jalapeno
- Chopped Bell Peppers
- Dairy-Free Cheddar Cheese
- Hard Boiled Egg
- Homemade Creamy Avocado Dressing
- Sweet Potato Fries
- Roasted Potato Wedges
- Sauteed Sweet Potatoes
If you love burger recipes, check out my Spicy Chicken Burgers or my Easy Whole30 Burgers!
How to Store Leftovers
Leftovers should be stored in airtight containers - I like using glass containers! (Which are also great for meal prep!)
You can also cover the serving bowl with plastic or reusable wrap. Store in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days.
If you don't use all of the ground beef or bacon in the salad, you can store leftovers in a separate container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
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After you make this Burger Bowl Recipe, make sure to leave a comment & rate the recipe!
Recipe Card
Healthy Burger Bowls (Whole30)
Equipment
- 1 Large Skillet/Frying Pan
Ingredients
Ground Beef
- 1 Pound Ground Beef You can swap for ground turkey.
- ½ Teaspoon Salt
- ½ Teaspoon Garlic Powder
- ¼ Teaspoon Black Pepper
Toppings
- 10 Cups Lettuce Spring mix, romaine lettuce, or butter lettuce are great options!
- 1 Small Red Onion, Thinly Sliced
- ½ Cup Cherry Tomatoes, Cut in half
- 6 Ounces Bacon
- ¼ Cup Pickles Sliced or chopped pickles work great. You can also swap for a couple tablespoons of relish.
- ¼ Cup Fresh Cilantro, Chopped
Spicy Burger Sauce
- 3 Tablespoons Unsweetened Ketchup
- ¼ Cup Chipotle Mayo I used Primal Kitchen avocado oil mayo!
- 3 Teaspoons Pickle Juice
- ½ Teaspoon Paprika
- ½ Teaspoon Garlic Powder
- ½ Teaspoon Salt
Instructions
- Start by sautéing the ground beef in a skillet over medium heat. Brown the meat, breaking it up while it cooks. Add salt, garlic powder, and black pepper. Stir until the meat is evenly coated.
- In a separate skillet, add bacon strips. Cook on medium heat until they're crispy. Place cooked bacon on a paper towel lined plate to absorb the excess oil. Break apart or chop into small pieces.
- Next, make the spicy sauce! Add ketchup, mayo, pickle juice, paprika, garlic powder, and salt into a small bowl. Whisk together until smooth and creamy. Set in refrigerator until you're ready to serve.
- Finally, add spring mix, cooked ground beef, chopped bacon, and all of the vegetables to each bowl. Finish with a sprinkle of chopped cilantro and drizzle of spicy sauce!
Notes
Expert Tips
- Toss the bowls with tongs to evenly distribute the sauce. (There's nothing worse than dry lettuce.)
- If you're serving a group, add all ingredients into one large serving bowl and toss together with the spicy sauce. Let guests serve themselves!
- Add red onion slices into a bowl with water to tone down the flavor before serving.
- Make burger patties on the grill if you want to serve some in a bowl and some as a regular burger. Chop the patty into bite sized pieces before topping the bowl.
- Make the entire pack of bacon and save whatever is left to serve with breakfast the next day!
- Use a meat masher to break up the ground beef while cooking. It saves so much time!
How to Store Leftover Burger Bowls
Leftovers should be stored in airtight containers - I like using glass containers! (Which are also great for meal prep!) You can also cover the serving bowl with plastic or reusable wrap. Store in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days. If you don't use all of the ground beef or bacon in the salad, you can store leftovers in a separate container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. ** See full post for more information and step by step photos!Nutrition
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