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Burger Bowls

Burger bowls are a deconstructed smash-burger style dinner: juicy seasoned beef crumbles over shredded lettuce with classic tomato, pickles, cheddar, and a tangy burger sauce drizzle. This easy dinner bowl stays low-carb while delivering the same bold burger flavors in a fast 30-minute meal.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: American
Calories: 630
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Ground beef crumbles
  • 1.5 lb ground beef 80/20
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 0.25 salt to taste
  • 0.25 black pepper to taste
Burger bowl toppings
  • 4 cup shredded romaine or iceberg lettuce
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
  • 0.5 cup dill pickles sliced
  • 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese shredded
  • 0.5 red onion diced
Burger sauce
  • 0.5 cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tbsp ketchup
  • 1 tbsp yellow mustard
  • 1 tbsp pickle relish
  • 1 tsp garlic powder

Equipment

  • 1 cast iron skillet

Method
 

Cook the beef crumbles
  1. Season the ground beef with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper, then cook in a skillet over medium-high heat, breaking into crumbles, until browned, about 10–15 minutes; drain any excess fat.
Make the burger sauce
  1. Whisk together mayonnaise, ketchup, yellow mustard, pickle relish, and garlic powder until smooth, then set aside.
Assemble the burger bowls
  1. Divide shredded romaine or iceberg lettuce among four bowls as the base.
  2. Top each bowl with the browned beef crumbles, cherry tomatoes, dill pickles, diced red onion, and shredded cheddar.
  3. Drizzle generously with burger sauce and serve immediately.

Notes

For best crunch, assemble right before eating so the lettuce doesn’t wilt. Store leftovers covered in the fridge up to 3 days; keep sauce separate if possible. Freezing isn’t recommended because the lettuce will soften. For a lighter option, swap mayonnaise for Greek yogurt (thick, plain) while keeping ketchup, mustard, and relish the same.