Make a satisfying, deconstructed cheeseburger in a bowl. This recipe delivers all the classic flavor of a cheeseburger without the bun, making it perfect for quick weeknight dinners or low-carb meal prep.
Author:Ahazzam
Prep Time:10 min
Cook Time:15 min
Total Time:25 min
Yield:4 servings
Category:Dinner
Method:Skillet Cooking
Cuisine:American
Diet:Low Calorie
Ingredients
Scale
1.5 lb ground beef (80/20 recommended)
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 tablespoon olive oil
4 cups shredded iceberg or romaine lettuce
1 cup chopped tomatoes
1/2 cup sliced dill pickles
1/2 cup chopped white onion
4 slices cheddar cheese (or preferred cheese)
For the Tangy Burger Sauce: 1/2 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons yellow mustard
1 tablespoon ketchup (or sugar-free ketchup for keto)
1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
Instructions
Prepare the Tangy Burger Sauce: In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise, mustard, ketchup, apple cider vinegar, and smoked paprika. Mix well until smooth. Set aside.
Season the Beef: In a medium bowl, combine the ground beef with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Mix gently with your hands until just combined; do not overmix.
Cook the Beef: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned ground beef and cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, until fully browned. Drain off any excess grease.
Melt the Cheese: Reduce the heat to low. Place the cheese slices over the cooked beef. Cover the skillet for 1-2 minutes until the cheese is melted and gooey.
Assemble the Bowls: Divide the shredded lettuce among four serving bowls to create the base.
Top the Bowls: Spoon the cheesy ground beef mixture over the lettuce in each bowl.
Add Toppings: Arrange the chopped tomatoes, sliced pickles, and chopped white onion around the beef.
Serve: Drizzle a generous amount of the homemade Tangy Burger Sauce over the top of each bowl. Serve immediately.
Notes
For meal prep, store the cooked beef mixture, sauce, and fresh vegetable toppings separately. Assemble just before eating to keep the lettuce crisp.
You can easily swap ground beef for ground turkey or ground chicken for a lighter option.
If you are following a strict Keto diet, use a sugar-free ketchup alternative in the sauce recipe.
Add bacon bits or sliced avocado for extra flavor and healthy fats.