Burger Bowls Give You All The Flavor With None Of The Carb-Coma
Craving a juicy cheeseburger but not the mandatory nap that comes with it? This cheesy, saucy, veggie-packed burger bowl is your solution. To make this easy bowl, I skip the carb-coma-inducing potato bun and swap it for a bed of fresh romaine lettuce topped with everything you’d find on a classic American diner cheeseburger—tangy dill pickles, thinly sliced red onion, juicy tomatoes, smoky bacon, cheddar cheesy ground beef, a drizzle of burger sauce, and of course a few golden crispy fries. These bowls are just as versatile as an actual burger, meaning the sky is truly the limit when it comes to toppings. You can mix and match just like you would for your favorite take out burger meal. Keep reading for tips on how to swap out each ingredient.
Ground beef - Instead of the classic burger meat, try ground turkey, ground chicken, or even your favorite plant-based meat.
Cheddar cheese - Almost any of your favorite cheeses will work here. Try a spicy pepper Jack, crumbled blue cheese, nutty shredded Swiss, or even a slice of classic American. Stick with softer cheeses to make sure you get all of the melty goodness you deserve.
Bacon - I love the added smokiness and meatiness from bacon, but feel free switch it up with chopped pancetta, crumbled chorizo, or even sautéed mushrooms.
Romaine Lettuce - Just like with any bowl, you can get a whole new meal by simply switching up the base. Try peppery arugula, chopped kale, or even shredded cabbage for the base of your burger bowl.
Cherry Tomatoes - Cherry tomatoes are especially awesome in the summertime, but you can really use any tomato variety you want. If you're not a fan of tomatoes, swap them for something equally refreshing like fresh cucumber or bell pepper.
Red Onion - I left these raw for extra texture and oniony bite, but you can swap these with caramelized yellow onion, scallions, or shallots for a more mild onion flavor.
Dill Pickles - Pickles are all about the briny tang so you can really experiment here. Of course there are bread and butter pickles, but you can also try pickled jalapeños for extra heat or pickled onions for a little extra sweetness.
French Fries - Use your favorite freezer-aisle crispy starch! Tots, sweet potato fries, or even onion rings would be a genius swap.
Did you try making this? Let us know how it went in the comments!
Yields: 4 servings
Prep Time: 15 mins
Total Time: 30 mins
Ingredients
14 oz.
frozen French fries
Kosher salt
1/4 c.
mayonnaise
3 tbsp.
ketchup
1 tbsp.
sweet pickle relish
1 tbsp.
yellow mustard
1 tbsp.
canola oil
1 lb.
lean ground beef
1 1/2 tsp.
Cajun seasoning
3 oz.
cheddar, shredded (about 1 c.)
8 c.
chopped romaine
4
slices cooked bacon, crumbled (optional)
5 oz.
cherry tomatoes, quartered (about 1 c.)
1
small red onion, thinly sliced (about 1 c.)
1/2 c.
quartered dill pickle slices
White sesame seeds, for topping
Directions
Bake French fries according to package directions; season with a pinch of salt.
Meanwhile, in a small bowl, stir mayonnaise, ketchup, relish, and mustard until smooth.
In a large skillet over medium heat, heat oil until shimmering. Add beef, Cajun seasoning, and 3/4 teaspoon salt. Cook, breaking up beef with a wooden spoon, until cooked through and no longer pink, 5 to 6 minutes. Gather beef to one side of skillet in an even layer and top with cheese. Cover with a lid or foil and let melt, 3 to 4 minutes.
Divide lettuce among wide, shallow bowls. Top with cheesy ground beef, bacon (if using), tomatoes, onion, pickles, fries, burger sauce, and sesame seeds.
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