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High-Protein Low-Carb Cheeseburger Bowl with Tangy Burger Sauce

A close-up of a hearty cheeseburger bowl featuring seasoned ground beef, shredded cheese, special sauce, pickles, tomatoes, and red onion.
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Get all the flavor of a classic cheeseburger without the bun in this easy, satisfying bowl. This recipe is perfect for quick weeknight dinners or low-carb meal prep.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 lb ground beef (80/20 recommended)
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 4 cups shredded iceberg or romaine lettuce
  • 1/2 cup diced dill pickles
  • 1/2 cup diced red onion
  • 1/2 cup chopped tomato
  • 4 slices cheddar cheese (or preferred melting cheese)
  • Optional: 1/2 cup cooked bacon crumbles
  • For the Tangy Burger Sauce:
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons ketchup (use low-sugar if tracking carbs)
  • 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
  • 1 tablespoon pickle relish (or 1 teaspoon pickle juice)
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/4 teaspoon onion powder

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Burger Sauce: In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, pickle relish (or juice), smoked paprika, and onion powder. Whisk until smooth. Set aside or refrigerate while you cook the beef.
  2. 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.
  3. Cook the Beef: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned ground beef and break it up with a spoon. Cook until the beef is fully browned and no pink remains, about 6 to 8 minutes. Drain off any excess grease.
  4. Melt the Cheese: Reduce the heat to low. Place the cheese slices directly on top of the cooked beef. Cover the skillet for 1 to 2 minutes until the cheese is fully melted and gooey.
  5. Assemble the Bowls: Divide the shredded lettuce evenly among four serving bowls. This forms your base for this healthy hamburger bowl.
  6. Layer the Ingredients: Spoon the cheesy ground beef mixture over the lettuce in each bowl.
  7. Add Toppings: Distribute the diced pickles, red onion, and tomato evenly over the beef. Add bacon crumbles if using.
  8. Serve: Drizzle a generous amount of the homemade tangy burger sauce over the top of each cheeseburger bowl. Serve immediately for a delicious, high-protein dinner.

Notes

  • For meal prep, store the cooked beef mixture, sauce, and fresh toppings separately. Assemble just before eating to keep the lettuce crisp.
  • You can easily swap ground beef for ground turkey or ground chicken to make this a lighter option.
  • If you prefer a warmer base, substitute the lettuce with 1 cup of cooked cauliflower rice or regular white rice per bowl.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://savorandpin.com/cheeseburger-bowl-recipe-low-carb-meal-prep/