These burger bowls are loaded with a juicy hamburger patty, crispy bacon, sharp cheddar cheese, pickles, tomatoes, and red onions all piled onto a bed of butter crunch lettuce. Meal prep them for a low-carb grab & go lunch or dinner.
In the early 2010s, I lived next to one of the hottest fast-casual spots in Los Angeles – a burger spot called The Counter. Their specialty was multiple variations of pub burgers (the “it” food of the time). In true LA fashion, you could order any burger as a bowl instead of on a bun.
My work schedule was very demanding at the time, so burger bowls became my go-to dinner multiple days a week. I was obsessed! They were so incredibly satiating and satisfying – all my favorite flavors in a burger, but in a low-carb way that fit my macros.
These days, instead of spending too much money on take-out, I prep my own at home. It’s so easy! And because there are endless flavor combinations, I never get bored.
Ingredients
- Meat – You can buy pre-formed patties to keep it easy, or buy bulk ground meat and make your own. Ground turkey can be subbed for ground beef, but it will not be as juicy.
- Lettuce – I recommend using baby butter crunch lettuce, but any greens you prefer will work.
- Cheese – I like to use medium or sharp cheddar. Sub mozzarella for lower fat.
- Toppings – Tomato, red onion, pickles, bacon, etc.
Variations
Mexican – Pico de gallo, avocado, Monterey jack cheese.
Greek – Feta cheese, cucumber, tomato, red onion.
Black & Bleu – Blue cheese, blackening seasoning, bacon jam.
BBQ – BBQ sauce, bacon, cheddar cheese, crispy onion, tomato.
Get creative and make your own versions of burger bowls. Come back and drop a comment to let me now your favorites!
Tips
- Need carbs? Add air fried hash browns, french fries, or even a scoop of quinoa at the time of serving.
- Use high-quality ground beef. I like 80/20 for maximum flavor and juiciness.
- Season well. Salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder go a long way to give your burger that classic taste.
Burger Bowls
A satisfying low-carb lunch bowl that’s packed with all the flavors of a bacon cheeseburger.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4
- Category: Lunch
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
1 lb ground beef
1 teaspoon coarse salt
1/2 teaspoon ground pepper
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 tablespoon neutral oil or non-stick spray
6 slices of cooked bacon, chopped
6 oz butter crunch lettuce
2 oz cheddar cheese, shredded
1/4 cup dill pickle chips
1 tomato, sliced
1/2 red onion, sliced
Instructions
Divide ground beef into 4 patties.
Mix the seasonings in a small bowl, then season each side of the beef patties with the mixture.
Add oil or non-stick spray to a large skillet on medium-high heat. Add the hamburger patties and cook 4-5 minutes on each side, until internal temp is 160 F. Set patties aside on a baking rack to cool down.
Grab 4 bowls with lids and place a paper towel in the bottom of each. This will absorb excess moisture and help your lettuce stay fresh throughout the week. Divide your greens evenly among each of the bowls.
Once the burger patties have cooled, place them on top of the greens and arrange the toppings around them. If you’d prefer, you can put the shredded cheese and bacon in small 2 oz containers to keep from getting soggy.
Seal the bowls with a lid and store in the fridge until ready to consume, up to 4 days.