These Cheeseburger Bowls are topped with all of your favorite burger fixings including bacon, cheese, tomato, onion, pickles, and a burger sauce-inspired dressing. Ready in less than 30 minutes, these bowls are a tasty low-carb way to enjoy burger night.
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This post was originally published in April 2020 and has been updated.
These cheeseburger bowls are on my list of favorite customizable meals along with my Chopped Doritos Salad and Chicken Taco Bowls. And if you love crave-worthy burger flavors, be sure to try these Big Mac Tacos.
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Why you will love these burger bowls
- Cheeseburger bowls are a delicious low-carb way to enjoy your favorite burger. They make a substantial lunch and are hearty enough as an entree salad for dinner. If you find yourself missing the bun, just add croutons or crushed potato chips.
- Build the bowl with your favorite burger fixings. Start with a bed of crisp lettuce and add bacon, tomatoes, onions, pickles, cheese, and a cheeseburger patty. Tangy burger sauce dressing adds more burger vibes.
- These bowls come together easily in just 25 minutes with ingredients you likely have on hand. The salad, burger fixings, and dressing can be prepped while the burgers cook.
- Bowls or entrée salads add versatility to dinner. Everyone loves a build-your-own situation and these bowls are ideal for customizing.
Ingredient notes and substitutions
- Ground beef - I prefer an 80/20 blend to keep the burgers juicy and flavorful. For leaner bowls, ground chicken or turkey can be used.
- Cheese - We're using slices for the burgers and shredded as a topping. Colby, Monterey, Pepper Jack, Cheddar, and Swiss all work here. Use what you love.
- Bacon - Simply because I can't have a cheeseburger without bacon!
- Pickles - Another must for the ultimate cheeseburger vibe. They add a sweet yet briny bite which is just perfect!
- Lettuce - Use crisp lettuce like iceberg or romaine.
- Dressing - This dressing has burger sauce vibes. All you need is a few pantry staples:
- Mayonnaise
- French dressing
- Mustard
- Pickle juice
- Seasonings
Step-by-step instructions
See the recipe card for complete instructions and ingredient amounts.
How to make the dressing
- Combine the dressing ingredients in a mixing bowl. Whisk to combine. Season to taste with salt. Set the dressing aside.
How to cook the burgers
- Bring the ground beef to room temperature and preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
- Shape the beef into two 4-inch patties, working the meat as little as possible. Season both sides of the burgers with salt and pepper.
- Preheat the cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add a touch of oil or butter. Sear each side for 2-3 minutes until brown.
- Transfer the skillet to the oven and cook for 4-5 minutes. The burgers will be slightly pink in the middle. Adjust the cooking time based on the desired doneness.
- Top the burgers with cheese slices during the last 30 seconds of cooking time.
- Remove from the oven and let rest for a few minutes before slicing and adding to the salad.
How to build cheeseburger bowls
- Add the lettuce to a bowl and top with onions, tomatoes, pickles, bacon, and extra cheese.
- Slice or chop the cheeseburger and add it to the salad.
- Spoon the dressing over the top. Serve the extra dressing on the side.
Tips for cooking burgers
- Allow the beef to come to room temperature before cooking. Room-temperature meat cooks more evenly. Remove the beef from the refrigerator 20-30 minutes before cooking.
- Use 80/20 blend ground beef for juicy, flavorful burgers. A blend of 85/15 can be used for a slightly leaner burger, but anything leaner will result in a dry burger.
- Be careful not to overwork the meat. Handle the meat just enough to form it into patties. Overworking the meat will make the burgers tough.
- Use a cast-iron pan. Cast iron conducts heat well and gives the burgers a nice seared exterior.
- Finish cooking the burgers in the oven. This method ensures that the burgers are cooked evenly throughout.
- Use a thermometer to check for temperature depending on the desired level of doneness.
Recipe FAQs
The burgers can be cooked ahead of time and stored for 2-3 days in the refrigerator. When making ahead, do not add the cheese until ready to serve. Reheat the burgers, add the cheese to melt, then add to the bowls.
You can add any of your go-to burger toppings or salad fixings. Try avocado, jalapeños, blue cheese, or fried onion strings.
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📖 Recipe Card
Cheeseburger Bowls
Ingredients
Burger Sauce Dressing
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 1 teaspoon french dressing (such as Ken's Country French)
- 1 teaspoon deli mustard (such as Boar's Head Delicatessen style)
- 2 ½ tablespoons pickle juice
- 1 teaspoon agave (or honey)
- ⅛ teaspoon paprika
- ⅛ teaspoon onion powder
- ⅛ teaspoon garlic powder
- Kosher salt (to taste)
Cheeseburgers
- 12 ounces ground beef
- salt and pepper
- 2 slices Colby cheese (or Cheddar or American)
Salad
- 6 cups romaine lettuce
- 4 slices bacon (cooked and chopped)
- 2 slices red onion
- ¼ cup pickles
- 8 grape or cherry tomatoes (halved)
- ⅓ cup shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Allow the ground beef to come to room temperature for 20-30 minutes.
Dressing
- In a small bowl, combine the dressing ingredients. Whisk together. Season to taste with salt. Set aside.
Cheeseburgers
- Preheat the oven to 400℉.
- Divide the meat in half and shape it into two patties, being careful not to overwork the meat. Season with salt and pepper on both sides.
- Preheat a cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add one teaspoon of oil to the hot skillet and carefully add the patties. They should sizzle when they hit the pan. Cook for 3-4 minutes per side until brown and caramelized.
- Transfer the skillet to the oven and cook for approx. 5 minutes for medium to medium-well. Adjust the time depending on your desired level of doneness.
- During the last 30 seconds of cooking, add a slice of cheese to the top of each burger. Remove and let rest for a few minutes.
Salad Bowls
- While the burgers cook, divide the lettuce between two bowls and top with onions, tomatoes, bacon, pickles, and cheese.
- Slice or chop the burgers and add to the top of each salad. Serve with the dressing.
Notes
- Allow the beef to come to room temperature before cooking. Room-temperature meat cooks more evenly. Remove the beef from the refrigerator 20-30 minutes before cooking.
- Use 80/20 blend ground beef for juicy, flavorful burgers. A blend of 85/15 can be used for a slightly leaner burger, but anything leaner will result in a dry burger.
- Be careful not to overwork the meat. Handle the meat just enough to form it into patties. Overworking the meat will make the burgers tough.
- Use a cast-iron pan. Cast iron conducts heat well and gives the burgers a nice seared exterior.
- Finish cooking the burgers in the oven. This method ensures that the burgers are cooked evenly throughout.
- Use a thermometer to check for temperature depending on the desired level of doneness.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is an estimate and will vary depending on the exact amounts and specific ingredients used.
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