These Cheeseburger Bowls capture everything I love about a classic cheeseburger—juicy ground beef, crisp lettuce, tangy pickles, sharp cheddar, and a creamy, smoky burger sauce—all served in a bowl instead of a bun. They’re hearty, customizable, and come together in just minutes.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

I like how these bowls are quick to prepare, low in carbs, and easy to adjust to whatever ingredients I have on hand. They’re perfect for busy weeknights when I still want something satisfying and packed with flavor. Whether I’m craving a cheeseburger or looking for a balanced lunch option, this recipe delivers without the heaviness of bread.

Ingredients

(Here's a tip: Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

1 lb ground beef
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
½ cup pickled red onions (or raw red onions)
½ cup sliced pickles
2 tablespoon relish
¼ cup pickled jalapeño slices
4 cups shredded lettuce
½ cup burger sauce (see below)

Burger Sauce:

½ cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoon ketchup
1 tablespoon yellow mustard
1 tablespoon pickle relish
2 teaspoon smoked paprika
Salt and pepper, to taste

Directions

Make the Burger Sauce:
I stir together mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, pickle relish, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper in a small bowl and set it aside.
Cook the Ground Beef:
In a skillet over medium heat, I cook the ground beef with a bit of salt and pepper until it’s nicely browned and no longer pink, breaking it up as it cooks, for about 7–10 minutes. I drain any extra fat before using.
Assemble the Bowls:
I start each bowl with a generous layer of shredded lettuce, then top with a portion of ground beef, halved cherry tomatoes, red onions, cheddar cheese, pickles, relish, and jalapeños. I finish it off with a drizzle of the burger sauce.

Servings and Timing

Servings: 4
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes

Variations

Protein Options: I sometimes use ground turkey or plant-based ground as an alternative to beef.
Cheese Choices: Pepper jack or a shredded Mexican cheese blend gives a different flavor.
Vegetarian Twist: I swap the beef with sautéed mushrooms or a veggie crumble.
Sauce Switch: A chipotle mayo or ranch dressing can offer a fresh spin.

Storage/Reheating

I like to store the ingredients separately to keep everything fresh. The ground beef and sauce go into airtight containers in the fridge.

Ground Beef: Keeps for up to 3 days. I reheat it in a skillet or microwave.
Burger Sauce: Lasts up to 5 days chilled.
Veggies: Best used within 2 days for freshness.

When I’m ready to eat, I just reassemble the bowl quickly with the cold and hot components.

FAQs

Can I prep these bowls ahead of time?

Yes, I often prep everything in advance and store it separately. That way, assembly is quick and easy when I need a meal fast.

What else can I use if I don’t have pickled onions?

I substitute with thinly sliced raw red onions or quick-pickle them myself in vinegar and a pinch of sugar.

Is there a dairy-free option?

Sure—I skip the cheese or use a dairy-free shredded cheese. The rest of the ingredients are naturally dairy-free.

How can I adjust the heat level?

To spice it up, I add more jalapeños or mix hot sauce into the burger sauce. For a milder version, I simply leave out the jalapeños.

What’s a good low-carb alternative to relish?

I sometimes chop up sugar-free pickles finely to replace relish if I want to cut down on sugar and carbs.

Conclusion

I find these Cheeseburger Bowls to be a fantastic way to enjoy the bold flavors of a cheeseburger in a lighter, fresher format. They’re quick, endlessly customizable, and always satisfying. Whether I’m looking to cut carbs or just shake up my dinner routine, this recipe hits the spot every time.

Cheeseburger Bowls

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Author: Sue
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Yield: 4 servings
Category: Main Course
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American

Print Recipe

Description

Cheeseburger Bowls are a deconstructed version of the classic cheeseburger, served without the bun. Packed with juicy ground beef, fresh veggies, cheddar cheese, and a creamy, smoky burger sauce, they make a hearty, low-carb, and quick meal option.

Instructions

In a small bowl, mix mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, pickle relish, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper to make the burger sauce. Set aside.
In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef with salt and pepper until browned and no longer pink, about 7–10 minutes. Drain excess fat.
In each serving bowl, layer shredded lettuce as the base.
Top with cooked ground beef, cherry tomatoes, red onions, cheddar cheese, pickles, relish, and jalapeños.
Drizzle burger sauce over the top and serve immediately.