Introduction
Hey there, kitchen friends! Remember the pure joy of biting into a perfectly cooked burger? The juicy meat, the crisp lettuce, the tangy pickles, and that special sauce dripping down? Oh man, just thinking about it brings back memories of backyard barbecues and sunny afternoons.
But sometimes, you want all that amazing flavor without the bun, maybe you’re watching carbs, or just looking for a lighter way to enjoy your favorite classic. That’s where this Burger in a Bowl recipe comes in! It’s seriously one of the easiest, quickest dinners you can whip up, bringing all those beloved burger tastes together in a fresh, satisfying bowl. Trust me, you’re going to want to make this on repeat.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This isn’t just dinner; it’s a flavor party that fits into your busy life!
- Fast: From start to finish, you can have this on the table in about 20 minutes. Perfect for weeknights!
- Easy: If you can brown meat and chop veggies, you can make this. Seriously, it’s foolproof.
- Crowd-Pleasing: Who doesn’t love burger flavors? Kids and adults alike devour this!
- Healthy-ish: Packed with protein and fresh veggies, it’s a much lighter option than a traditional burger and fries.
Ingredients
Gathering your ingredients is the first step to burger bowl bliss. Everything here is pretty standard, which is another reason this recipe is so great!
- 1 large head romaine lettuce, chopped: The perfect crisp base for our bowl. You want it nice and fresh!
- 1 lb lean ground beef: The star of the show! Lean beef works well here so you don’t have too much grease to drain.
- 1 tsp garlic powder: Adds that essential savory note to the beef.
- 1 tsp onion powder: Another pantry staple that brings depth of flavor.
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning: My little secret weapon for adding a touch of herbaceous goodness to the beef.
- Salt to taste: Essential for bringing out all the flavors.
- Black pepper to taste: Adds a nice little kick.
For the Burger Sauce:
This sauce is the magic maker! It’s creamy, tangy, and just everything you want in a burger sauce.
- 4 tbsp sour cream: Provides the creamy base.
- 4 tbsp ketchup: Adds sweetness and tang.
- 2 tbsp soy sauce: A little umami secret! Don’t skip it.
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder: More garlicky goodness!
- 1/2 tsp onion powder: More oniony goodness!
- 1/2 tsp maple syrup: Just a touch of sweetness to balance the flavors. You could use sugar or honey too.
- Salt to taste: Season the sauce just right.
- Black pepper to taste: A pinch of pepper finishes it off.
For the Veggies:
Pile on your favorite burger toppings! These are my go-tos:
- 1 avocado, sliced: Creamy, healthy fat adds richness.
- 1/2 red onion, sliced: Gives a nice bite and beautiful color.
- 2 large pickles, sliced: That essential sour, briny crunch! Dill pickles are the classic choice.
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved: Bursting with fresh, sweet flavor.
How to Make It
Alright, let’s get cooking! This comes together in a flash.
1. Get Your Veggies Ready: First things first, let’s prep all those lovely toppings. Chop your romaine lettuce and divide it among your serving bowls. Now, slice up your avocado, red onion, and pickles. Halve those cute cherry tomatoes. Having everything prepped makes assembly super quick! I like to arrange them nicely on a plate while I cook the beef.
2. Cook the Ground Beef: Grab a skillet and pop it over medium heat. Add your ground beef and brown it, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks. Once it’s all browned, carefully drain off any excess fat. Nobody wants a greasy burger bowl! Return the beef to the pan and stir in the garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Give it a good stir and let it cook for just another minute or two. You’ll know it’s ready when those seasonings smell amazing and the beef is fully cooked through.
3. Whip Up the Burger Sauce: While the beef is doing its thing (or even while it’s draining), grab a small bowl. Add the sour cream, ketchup, soy sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, and maple syrup. Whisk it all together until it’s smooth and creamy. Give it a little taste and add salt and pepper if it needs it. This sauce is seriously addictive!
4. Assemble Your Masterpiece: Now for the fun part! You’ve got your lettuce in the bowls. Spoon that delicious, seasoned ground beef right over the lettuce. Next, artfully arrange your prepared veggies – the avocado slices, red onion rings, pickle slices, and cherry tomato halves – over the beef. Make it look pretty!
5. Drizzle and Devour: The grand finale! Generously drizzle that incredible burger sauce over all the components in each bowl. Don’t be shy with the sauce; it ties everything together. Serve immediately and dig in! Get a little bit of everything in each bite.
Substitutions & Additions
This recipe is super flexible! Feel free to get creative and make it your own.
- Swap the Protein: Not a fan of beef? This works beautifully with ground turkey, chicken, or even plant-based crumbles.
- Change the Greens: Use spinach, spring mix, or even chopped kale if you prefer.
- Add More Toppings: Get wild! Crispy bacon bits, shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese, sautéed mushrooms or onions, pickled jalapeños, corn, or even crushed up potato chips for crunch are all fantastic additions.
- Sauce Swaps: If you don’t have sour cream, Greek yogurt is a great substitute for a tangier, lighter sauce. Adjust the maple syrup to your preferred sweetness level.
Tips for Success
Making this dish is easy, but a few little tips can make it even better!
- Drain That Fat: Don’t skip draining the fat from the ground beef. This keeps your bowl from being greasy.
- Season the Beef Well: Taste your beef after adding the seasonings to make sure it’s flavorful. You want it to stand up to the fresh veggies and sauce.
- Make the Sauce Ahead: The burger sauce can be made a day or two in advance and kept in the fridge. The flavors actually meld nicely!
- Keep Components Separate for Meal Prep: If you’re making this for lunches, store the cooked beef, sauce, and chopped veggies in separate containers until you’re ready to assemble to keep everything fresh.
How to Store It
If you happen to have leftovers (it’s rare in my house!), or if you’re prepping components ahead of time, here’s how to store everything.
Store the cooked ground beef in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. The burger sauce can also be stored in a separate airtight container in the fridge for up to 5-7 days. Prepped chopped vegetables (like lettuce, onions, and tomatoes) are best stored separately as well and are usually good for 2-3 days, though avocado is best sliced just before serving to prevent browning.
FAQs
Got questions? I’ve got answers!
Is this recipe low-carb?
Yes! By skipping the bun, this recipe is naturally lower in carbohydrates than a traditional burger, making it a great option if you’re watching your carb intake.
Can I make this spicier?
Absolutely! Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a dash of hot sauce to the burger sauce for an extra kick.
Can I prepare the ingredients ahead of time for faster assembly?
Yes, you can chop the lettuce, slice the onions and tomatoes, cook the ground beef, and make the sauce up to a day or two in advance. Store everything separately for the best results.
What else can I serve with this?
This bowl is a complete meal on its own, but if you want a little something extra, a side of sweet potato fries (baked or air-fried!) or a simple green salad would be delicious.
Easy Burger in a Bowl
Equipment
- Skillet
- Serving bowls
- Small bowl for the sauce
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 large head romaine lettuce chopped
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
Burger Sauce
- 4 tbsp sour cream
- 4 tbsp ketchup
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 0.5 tsp garlic powder
- 0.5 tsp onion powder
- 0.5 tsp maple syrup or sugar or honey
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
Veggies / Toppings
- 1 avocado sliced
- 0.5 red onion sliced
- 2 large pickles sliced, dill pickles recommended
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
Instructions
- Get Your Veggies Ready: First things first, let's prep all those lovely toppings. Chop your romaine lettuce and divide it among your serving bowls. Now, slice up your avocado, red onion, and pickles. Halve those cute cherry tomatoes. Having everything prepped makes assembly super quick! I like to arrange them nicely on a plate while I cook the beef.
- Cook the Ground Beef: Grab a skillet and pop it over medium heat. Add your ground beef and brown it, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks. Once it's all browned, carefully drain off any excess fat. Nobody wants a greasy burger bowl! Return the beef to the pan and stir in the garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Give it a good stir and let it cook for just another minute or two. You'll know it's ready when those seasonings smell amazing and the beef is fully cooked through.
- Whip Up the Burger Sauce: While the beef is doing its thing (or even while it's draining), grab a small bowl. Add the sour cream, ketchup, soy sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, and maple syrup. Whisk it all together until it's smooth and creamy. Give it a little taste and add salt and pepper if it needs it. This sauce is seriously addictive!
- Assemble Your Masterpiece: Now for the fun part! You've got your lettuce in the bowls. Spoon that delicious, seasoned ground beef right over the lettuce. Next, artfully arrange your prepared veggies – the avocado slices, red onion rings, pickle slices, and cherry tomato halves – over the beef. Make it look pretty!
- Drizzle and Devour: The grand finale! Generously drizzle that incredible burger sauce over all the components in each bowl. Don't be shy with the sauce; it ties everything together. Serve immediately and dig in! Get a little bit of everything in each bite.