Cheeseburgers without the bun? These Cheeseburger Bowls pack all the juicy, crave-worthy flavor you love with a fresh and crunchy twist, ready quickly and perfect for building your own.
Holly’s Recipe Highlights
- Flavor: Savory seasoned beef, tangy pickles, creamy burger-style dressing, and sharp cheddar come together with crisp lettuce and fresh toppings for a classic cheeseburger flavor in every bite.
- Recommended Tools: You’ll just need a few simple kitchen tools. A skillet for browning the beef, a mixing bowl and whisk for the dressing, and a cutting board with a sharp knife.
- Serving Suggestions: I like to serve the beef warm over crisp, cold lettuce for the best contrast, and sometimes I set up a little “burger bowl bar”. Serve alongside low carb coleslaw, and cauliflower potato salad.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Ground Beef: Beef gives these bowls classic burger flavor, while chicken makes a lighter option.
- Seasoning: Smoked paprika adds a light grilled flavor, while regular paprika is a bit milder.
- Lettuce: Iceberg is the crunchiest, while romaine holds up better for meal prep. Either way, dry it well so the bowl stays crisp.
- Cheese: Sharp cheddar gives the most classic burger flavor, but you can swap in pepper jack for a little heat or mozzarella for a milder taste.
- Pickles: Dill pickles give the best cheeseburger vibe, but chopped dill relish works just as well if that’s what you have on hand.
- Dressing: The dressing is a creamy, tangy mix that starts with mayonnaise and Greek yogurt to lighten it up. Sugar-free ketchup, yellow mustard, pickle juice, and onion powder layer in that familiar burger-stand flavor while keeping it low carb.
- Variations: Mix things up by adding diced or green onions for extra crunch, sautéed mushrooms for a bacon-mushroom burger vibe, or jalapeños or hot sauce for a spicy kick. For a Big Mac bowl–style twist, stir a spoonful of dill relish into the dressing.
How to Make Cheeseburger Bowls
- Mix dressing ingredients in a bowl (full recipe below).
- Brown ground beef in a skillet and add seasoning.
- Add lettuce to individual bowls.
- Top with beef, avocado, cheese, pickles, tomatoes, and bacon.
- Drizzle with dressing and serve.
Pro Tips for Perfect Bowls
- Drain the fat after browning so the bowl does not feel greasy and the lettuce stays crisp.
- Season the meat after draining so spices stick to the beef instead of sliding into the grease.
- Chill the dressing while cooking the meat for better flavor and a thicker, creamier texture.
- Let the cooked meat cool slightly before adding to the lettuce if you want less wilt and more crunch.
- Make avocado optional per bowl and slice it fresh to prevent browning.
Low Carb Bowl Night
Did you enjoy this low carb Cheeseburger Bowl recipe? Leave a comment and rating below.
Cheeseburger Bowl
A cheeseburger bowl with smoky seasoned beef, crisp lettuce, cheddar, pickles, and a creamy tangy burger sauce. Fast, filling, and perfect for low carb nights.
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds lean ground beef or ground chicken
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¾ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt or to taste
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- 8 cups shredded lettuce iceberg, romaine, or a mix of both
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
- ½ cup sliced pickles
- 1 avocado sliced
- 2 slices cooked bacon or 4 tablespoons bacon bits, optional
Dressing
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup greek yogurt
- ¼ cup sugar-free ketchup
- 2 teaspoons yellow mustard
- 2 tablespoons pickle juice
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
Instructions
- Mix all dressing ingredients in a small bowl. Refrigerate while preparing the cheeseburger bowl.
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown ground beef until no pink remains. Drain any fat and season with paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Place 2 cups of lettuce in each bowl. Top with beef, pickles, tomatoes, cheese, avocado, and bacon (if using).
- Drizzle with dressing.
Notes
- Keep lettuce very dry and store it separately from juicy toppings.
- Keep leftover cooked meat in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, or freeze for up to 3 months.
- Dressing will keep for up to 4 days in a sealed jar. Stir before using.
Nutrition Information
Calories: 644kcal | Carbohydrates: 24g | Protein: 52g | Fat: 38g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 9g | Monounsaturated Fat: 14g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 144mg | Sodium: 1087mg | Potassium: 1691mg | Fiber: 10g | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin A: 3206IU | Vitamin C: 27mg | Calcium: 341mg | Iron: 7mg
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
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