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Healthy Burger in a Bowl

Featured in Nourishing & Mindful Meals.

Transform your favorite burger into a healthy, low-carb meal with this burger bowl. Packed with lean ground beef seasoned with garlic, onion, and Italian spices, it’s served over fresh romaine lettuce and topped with avocado, red onion, pickles, and cherry tomatoes. Drizzle with a creamy, tangy burger sauce for a satisfying and guilt-free lunch, perfect for high-protein, low-calorie diets. Ready in just 20 minutes, it’s an easy and flavorful option for your next meal.

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Rehan Magic House Recipes
Updated on Fri, 18 Apr 2025 15:55:32 GMT
A bowl of salad with meat and vegetables. Pin it
A bowl of salad with meat and vegetables. | magichouserecipes.com

This burger in a bowl is my answer to satisfying those burger cravings without the carb overload. Perfect for meal prep lunches, it delivers all the flavors of a classic burger while keeping things light and nutritious.

I created this recipe during my low carb experiment last summer and it became an instant family favorite. My teenage son who normally turns his nose up at salads asks for this weekly.

Ingredients

  • Lean ground beef: the star of our bowl with 26g protein per serving
  • Romaine lettuce: creates the perfect crisp base replacing the traditional bun
  • Garlic and onion powder: essential for that authentic burger taste
  • Italian seasoning: adds complexity without extra effort
  • Sour cream: gives our sauce a creamy tanginess
  • Ketchup: brings that classic burger flavor to our sauce
  • Soy sauce: provides umami depth making the sauce irresistible
  • Fresh vegetables: avocado for healthy fats, cherry tomatoes for brightness, and pickles for that quintessential burger experience

Step-by-Step Instructions

Brown the meat:
Heat your skillet over medium high heat. Add ground beef breaking it into crumbles with a wooden spoon. Sprinkle in all seasonings garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Cook for about 5 to 7 minutes until fully browned with no pink showing. Be sure to stir occasionally to prevent burning.
Create the burger sauce:
In a small bowl combine all sauce ingredients sour cream, ketchup, soy sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, maple syrup, and salt and pepper. Whisk until completely smooth. This sauce should have the perfect balance of tangy, sweet, and savory. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
Assemble your bowls:
Start with a generous bed of chopped romaine. Add a quarter of the seasoned beef to each bowl. Arrange the avocado slices, red onion, pickle slices, and halved cherry tomatoes in sections around the beef for visual appeal.
Finish with sauce:
Drizzle each bowl with the burger sauce you made. Add a final sprinkle of salt and pepper if desired. The sauce should be just enough to coat the ingredients without pooling in the bottom.
A bowl of salad with meat and dressing. Pin it
A bowl of salad with meat and dressing. | magichouserecipes.com

The burger sauce is truly the secret weapon in this recipe. I discovered the addition of soy sauce by accident when trying to enhance the umami flavor and now I use this sauce on everything from traditional burgers to roasted vegetables.

Make Ahead and Storage

You can prepare all components separately and store them in the refrigerator for up to three days. Keep the sauce in a separate container and the vegetables away from the meat and lettuce to maintain freshness. When ready to eat simply assemble your bowl and enjoy. The cooked ground beef reheats beautifully in the microwave for about 45 seconds.

Customization Options

This burger bowl welcomes endless variations based on your preferences. For a cheeseburger bowl sprinkle some shredded cheddar over the warm beef. Bacon lovers can add crispy bacon bits. For a plant based version substitute the beef with impossible burger or black bean patties. The burger sauce works wonderfully with any protein choice.

Serving Suggestions

While perfect on its own consider serving smaller portions as a side dish with sweet potato fries for a more substantial meal. For entertaining create a burger bowl bar with all the components laid out buffet style so everyone can customize their bowl. This interactive approach is always a hit at casual gatherings and family dinners.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ What type of lettuce works best in a burger bowl?

Romaine lettuce is ideal for its crisp texture, but you can also use iceberg or mixed greens for variety.

→ Can I use a different protein instead of beef?

Yes, you can substitute ground turkey, chicken, or plant-based ground meat for a different option.

→ Is the burger sauce customizable?

Absolutely! Adjust the sweetness, spiciness, or tanginess to your preference by tweaking the ingredients like ketchup, soy sauce, or maple syrup.

→ How can I make it dairy-free?

Simply replace sour cream with a dairy-free alternative like coconut yogurt or cashew cream.

→ How long does this dish stay fresh?

Assembled burger bowls are best enjoyed fresh, but you can prep the ingredients separately and store them in the fridge for up to 2-3 days.

→ Can I meal prep this dish?

Yes, cook and store the beef and chop the veggies in advance. Assemble when ready to eat for a quick meal.

Healthy Burger in a Bowl

Savor a flavorful, low-carb burger bowl with fresh toppings and a tasty sauce.

Prep Time
13 Minutes
Cook Time
7 Minutes
Total Time
20 Minutes
By: Reham


Difficulty: Easy

Cuisine: American

Yield: 4 Servings

Dietary: Low-Carb, Gluten-Free

Ingredients

→ Main Ingredients

01 1 large head romaine lettuce, chopped
02 1 lb lean ground beef
03 1 tsp garlic powder
04 1 tsp onion powder
05 1 tsp Italian seasoning
06 Salt and black pepper to taste

→ Burger Sauce

07 4 tbsp sour cream
08 4 tbsp ketchup
09 2 tbsp soy sauce
10 1/2 tsp garlic powder
11 1/2 tsp onion powder
12 1/2 tsp maple syrup
13 Salt and black pepper to taste

→ Vegetables

14 1 avocado, sliced
15 1/2 red onion, sliced
16 2 large pickles, sliced
17 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved

Instructions

Step 01

Heat a skillet over medium heat and add in the ground beef. Mix in the garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until browned.

Step 02

Remove any excess liquid from the skillet and remove the beef from the heat.

Step 03

Combine sour cream, ketchup, soy sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, maple syrup, salt, and black pepper in a bowl to make the burger sauce.

Step 04

In serving bowls, add a layer of chopped romaine lettuce, followed by cooked beef. Top with avocado slices, red onion, pickles, and cherry tomatoes.

Step 05

Drizzle the prepared burger sauce over the bowls and sprinkle with additional salt and black pepper if desired.

Notes

  1. For a dairy-free version, replace sour cream with a plant-based alternative.

Tools You'll Need

  • Frying pan

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains soy (from soy sauce)

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 360
  • Total Fat: 21 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 17 g
  • Protein: 26 g