Burger Bowl Recipe

This burger bowl recipe combines lean ground beef, crisp romaine lettuce, and a tangy special sauce with your favorite burger toppings for a fresh and satisfying meal. Ready in just 25 minutes, it’s an easy and customizable option perfect for weeknights or casual gatherings.

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Prep Time20 minutes mins

Cook Time5 minutes mins

Total Time25 minutes mins

Servings6

Our burger bowl recipe is the ultimate solution for satisfying burger cravings without the bun. It combines the best parts of a classic burger—juicy ground beef, crispy bacon, and all your favorite burger toppings—into a single, vibrant bowl. With the addition of french fries and a tangy, homemade special sauce, this recipe is packed with flavor and offers a fresh, fun way to enjoy everything you love about a burger in a lighter, customizable dish.

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What You Need To Know

• MAIN INGREDIENTS: Lean ground beef, romaine lettuce, cherry tomatoes, red onion, dill pickle chips, sharp cheddar cheese, frozen french fries, mayonnaise, ketchup, yellow mustard, onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, kosher salt, black pepper.
• QUICK STEPS: Cook french fries, brown and season ground beef, mix salad dressing, assemble lettuce and toppings in a large bowl, drizzle dressing, serve immediately.
• TOTAL TIME AND YIELD: 25 minutes, 6 servings

Burger Bowl Ingredients

Burger Bowl Substitutions

Lean Ground Beef: Swap with ground turkey or ground chicken for a leaner option. If you prefer a richer taste, use 80/20 ground beef for more flavor.

Romaine Lettuce: Substitute with iceberg lettuce for added crunch or mixed greens for a more vibrant base.

French Fries: Try sweet potato fries for a touch of sweetness or potato wedges for a thicker, heartier texture.

Sharp Cheddar Cheese: Replace with blue cheese for a bold flavor or Monterey Jack for a milder taste.

Cherry Tomatoes: Use grape tomatoes or diced juicy tomatoes if you have those on hand.

Dill Pickle Chips: Switch to sweet pickles for a milder tang or try pickled jalapeños to add heat.

Homemade Burger Sauce: If you’re short on time, bottled thousand island dressing can do the trick.

Red Onion: Replace with green onions for a milder flavor or shallots for a touch of sweetness. Thinly sliced raw onion adds sharpness, while caramelized onion provides a sweeter note.

How To Make A Burger Bowl

STEP ONE: Cook the French Fries
Prepare the french fries according to the package instructions. For the crispiest results, use a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, or consider an air fryer. Set the cooked fries aside while you prepare the rest of the dish.

STEP TWO: Brown and Season the Ground Beef
In a large pan over medium heat, add the lean ground beef along with the onion powder, garlic powder, kosher salt, black pepper, and paprika. Cook, stirring often with a wooden spoon, until the beef is no longer pink and fully cooked, about five minutes. Drain any excess grease using a paper towel.

PRO TIP: For added depth, you can mix in a splash of worcestershire sauce while cooking.

STEP THREE: Make the Salad Dressing
In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise, ketchup, diced dill pickles, yellow mustard, garlic powder, and onion powder. Stir until the dressing is completely smooth and uniform in color.

PRO TIP: To adjust the thickness, add a teaspoon of pickle juice for extra tang or a splash of olive oil to thin it slightly.

STEP FOUR: Assemble the Salad Base
Place the romaine lettuce into a large bowl or serving dish. Spread it out evenly to create a base that will hold all the toppings.

STEP FIVE: Arrange the Toppings
Arrange the juicy tomatoes, thinly sliced red onion, dill pickle chips, and freshly shredded sharp cheddar around the edges of the fresh lettuce base. This setup allows for an easy and visually appealing presentation.

STEP SIX: Add the Cooked Components
Top the salad with the cooked ground beef and the crispy french fries, distributing them evenly across the bowl. This creates the hearty, satisfying layers of the burger bowl.

STEP SEVEN: Drizzle the Dressing
Using a spoon or a mason jar with a drizzle top, pour the homemade burger sauce over the entire salad. Adjust the amount based on personal preference, and serve immediately.

ADDITIONAL TIPS

• To keep ingredients crisp, store elements like the french fries and dressing separately in airtight containers if making ahead.
• For a twist on this recipe, consider substituting the french fries with roasted sweet potatoes.
• Serve with additional favorite burger toppings like crispy bacon or avocado slices for a more customizable dish.

Troubleshooting This Burger Bowl Recipe

The salad dressing is too thick or uneven.
For a thinner consistency, add a teaspoon of pickle juice or a splash of olive oil, mixing well after each addition.

The salad becomes soggy when stored.
Store each component separately in airtight containers if making ahead, and combine them just before serving. Keep the dressing in a mason jar for easy storage and pouring.

The ground beef has too much grease.
Drain any excess grease from the pan with a paper towel after cooking the beef. For a leaner option, substitute with ground turkey or ground chicken.

The red onion flavor is too strong.
Soak the red onion slices in cold water for ten minutes before adding them to the salad to mellow their sharpness.

The cheddar cheese doesn’t melt properly.
Use freshly shredded sharp cheddar, as pre-shredded cheese often contains anti-caking agents that prevent smooth melting.

How To Serve This Burger Bowl

Enhance your burger bowl with sides that complement its hearty flavors. For a crisp contrast, consider serving air fryer sweet potato fries; their natural sweetness pairs well with the savory elements of the bowl.

Alternatively, pineapple coleslaw offers a refreshing, tangy crunch that balances the richness of the burger components.

For a fun twist, frizzled onions can add a delightful crispy texture when sprinkled on top or served alongside.

How To Store Your Burger Bowl

MAKE AHEAD: You can prepare the cooked ground beef, homemade burger sauce, and chopped romaine lettuce ahead of time. Store each component separately in airtight containers in the fridge. Avoid assembling the full bowl until just before serving to keep ingredients like the french fries crispy and the lettuce fresh.

IN THE FRIDGE: Store any leftovers in separate airtight containers. Keep the lettuce, dressing, and toppings separate to prevent sogginess. Properly stored, the ingredients will last for up to three days. Combine just before serving for the best texture.

IN THE FREEZER: While the ground beef can be frozen in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to three months, the lettuce, french fries, and fresh veggies are best kept fresh. Thaw the beef in the fridge overnight and reheat before adding to your bowl. The dressing is not recommended for freezing, as it may separate when thawed.

REHEATING: To reheat the ground beef, make sure it is fully thawed if previously frozen. Thaw the beef by transferring it to the fridge and allowing it to sit overnight.
Once thawed, reheat in a microwave in 30-second increments, stirring between each round, or warm it in a large pan over medium heat. For french fries, use an air fryer or oven to regain their crispiness. Avoid microwaving the fries, as they may become soggy.

This burger bowl recipe brings together the best parts of a classic burger in a fresh, customizable dish that’s perfect for any occasion. With simple ingredients and easy steps, it’s a versatile option your whole family will love.

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Burger Bowl Recipe

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This burger bowl recipe combines lean ground beef, crisp romaine lettuce, and a tangy special sauce with your favorite burger toppings for a fresh and satisfying meal. Ready in just 25 minutes, it’s an easy and customizable option perfect for weeknights or casual gatherings.

Prep Time 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time 5 minutes minutes

Total Time 25 minutes minutes

Servings 6

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Ingredients

  

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Burger Base

• 1 pound lean ground beef
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon fresh cracked black pepper
• ½ teaspoon paprika

Salad Dressing

• ⅓ cup mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons ketchup
• 2 tablespoons diced dill pickles
• ½ tablespoon prepared yellow mustard
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon onion powder

Salad

• 4 cups chopped romaine lettuce
• 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes, or grape tomatoes
• 1 cup thinly sliced red onion
• 1 cup pre-sliced dill pickle chips
• 1 cup freshly shredded sharp cheddar
• 3 cups cooked frozen french fries

Instructions

 

• Cook the frozen french fries according to the package instructions and set them aside. (This can be done while preparing the other components of the recipe.)
• In a 10 inch skillet over medium high heat, add the ground beef, onion powder, garlic powder, kosher salt, pepper and paprika and cook while stirring often until the ground beef is cooked through and no longer pink. This should take about 5 minutes. Drain any excess oil.
• Add the mayonnaise, ketchup, diced dill pickle, mustard, garlic and onion powder to a small bowl. Stir until completely combined and uniform in color.
• Add the lettuce to a large serving bowl. Arrange the tomatoes, red onion, pickle slices, cooked ground beef and cooked french fries around the edges of the lettuce.
• Drizzle the salad dressing over the entire salad. Serve immediately.

Notes

• 1000 island dressing can be substituted if you are pressed for time.
• Iceberg lettuce, spring baby greens mixture, baby spinach and even kale can be a good substitute for romaine lettuce.
• You can substitute pre-shredded cheese for freshly shredded cheese.

Nutrition

Calories: 608kcal | Carbohydrates: 44g | Protein: 25g | Fat: 38g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 7g | Monounsaturated Fat: 15g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 71mg | Sodium: 1518mg | Potassium: 1028mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 3211IU | Vitamin C: 17mg | Calcium: 192mg | Iron: 4mg

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