Seasoned ground beef and your favorite burger toppings on a bed of crisp lettuce, drizzled with a honey mustard homemade burger sauce. The ultimate cheeseburger recipe in salad form for a healthier option whenever the craving hits.
A big fat ultimate cheeseburger, but make it a salad? Yes please! It’s everything you love about a really good burger but also packing in healthy veggies in a big salad.
It really doesn’t get much better than this. Ultimate cheeseburger bowls or “burger salads” are easy to make and totally customizable.
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Why you will love this recipe
- It’s like the ultimate cheeseburger version of a burrito bowl. All of the things you love about the best homemade burgers in big salad form.
- It’s low carb, healthier and can be easily adapted for any ultimate burger recipe. Loading up a bowl instead of buns or lettuce wraps is a great way to lighten it up and get in some extra veggies.
- Burger bowls are quick and easy to make for a weeknight meal or fun, casual get together with friends and family. Everyone can go wild and load up their bowls with their favorite toppings to make the perfect burger bowl!
- This recipes is super flexible and perfect for feeding one or for feeding a crowd. You can mix and match the ingredients to accommodate nearly all dietary needs including vegetarian, gluten free, keto, low-carb and Whole30! Just make sure there’s extra lettuce in place of toasted buns and everyone is happy!
Ingredients and substitutions
These are the toppings that I love on my perfect cheeseburger. Of course it’s a matter of preference so have fun and top your bowl with whatever you love on your burger!
- Burger meat – for this recipe, I use ground beef burger meat but you can also use beef patties, ground turkey or turkey patties, ground bison or even make a vegan version with a veggie burger or plant-based meat alternative. This recipe will work with any kind of ground meat or hamburger patties you like!
- Burger seasoning – a mix of savory flavors to season the meat including garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, Worcestershire sauce, salt and black pepper.
- Romaine lettuce – red or green leaf lettuce and iceberg work too. Stick with a sturdy, crispy lettuce. Don’t use delicate baby greens that will wilt under the weight of warm, juicy burger meat and lots of toppings.
- Onion – thinly sliced red onions, white onion or caramelized onions are all great options.
- Tomatoes – halved cherry or grape tomatoes or chopped tomatoes.
- Bacon – the best burgers are topped with salty, crispy bacon. I make a big batch in the oven to make it easy.
- Cheese – a little grated sharp cheddar cheese, pepper jack, crumbled blue cheese or if you’re doing burger patties, melt some American cheese slices on top for that ooey gooey goodness.
- Avocado
- Dill pickle
- Other topping ideas – sautéed mushrooms, sliced or pickled jalapeños, green chiles
- Burger sauce – for this recipe, I mix together a simple honey mustard drizzle. Ranch dressing is also a great option.
How to make loaded burger bowls
Start by making the honey mustard sauce so the flavors have time to meld while you prep the rest of the ingredients.
Wash thoroughly dry the lettuce. Gather and prep all of your favorite burger toppings. If you’re making bacon, I recommend following this easy Oven Baked Bacon Recipe.
Heat a cast iron or large sauté pan over medium-high heat and add the ground beef. Break it up with a wooden spoon and add in the seasonings. Cook the meat until it’s no longer pink, being careful not to overcook it. This is especially important if you’re using lean ground beef – no one wants dry burgers!
If you’re making a burger bowl as an option for a cookout, I like to use thick patties. Grill burgers on a gas or charcoal grill, cast iron pan or on a hot griddle until desired doneness and top with a slice of cheese if desired.
To build you bowl, start with a bed of lettuce on the bottom. Divide up the cooked burger meat between bowls or add a burger patty to each bowl. Top with your favorite toppings, drizzle with sauce and dive in!
Recipe tips
- Make sure your lettuce base is super fresh and that you dry it thoroughly. There are a lot of toppings in these bowls and you don’t want limp, soggy greens at the bottom.
- Don’t overcook your ground beef! No one likes dry, chewy hamburger meat. Also use a slotted spoon when removing it from the pan to drain the excess fat.
- If you’re making burger patties, melt the cheese right on it just like you would a regular hamburger, then add it to your bowl.
- For the honey mustard drizzle, use hot honey for a little sweet heat!
What to serve with burger bowls
This is a meal on it’s own but if you’re looking to add a couple of sides try:
- French fries, Crispy Smashed Fingerling Potatoes or Sweet Potato Wedges
- Grilled Corn and Zucchini Salad or Fresh Sweet Corn and Bell Pepper Saute
- Purple and White Potato Salad
- Marinated Cauliflower Salad
More big salad recipes you will love
Ultimate Bacon Cheeseburger in a Bowl
Ingredients
For the burger meat
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- Black pepper to taste
For the honey mustard sauce
- ¼ cup good mayo
- 2 tablespoons dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon honey
- ⅛ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon dill pickle juice see substitution in notes
- pinch of salt
For assembling the bowls
- 8 cups about 2 medium heads chopped romaine lettuce
- ½ cup halved cherry or grape tomatoes
- ¼ cup thinly sliced red onions
- 6 slices cooked crumbled bacon
- 1 avocado
- ½ cup shredded cheese
- ¼ cup dill pickle slices
Instructions
- Start by mixing all of the ingredients for the sauce so that the flavors have time to meld. Set aside.
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add in ground beef. Add seasonings as it cooks, breaking it up with a wooden spoon. Cook beef just until it's no longer pink, do not overcook.
- Add lettuce to the bottom of large bowls. Top each bowl with seasoned ground beef, burger toppings and drizzle with sauce.
Michelle Lee
My 5-year old requested this as her birthday meal. Out of literally everything in the entire world including Chick-fil-A and pizza. *chef’s kiss*
Jen
This burger bowl was filled with flavor! I gobbled it down in seconds. I plan to make another bowl next week and add pickles – Yum!
Kaluhi
The photography drew me in and I love that I made this because not only was it super yummy, it was also very very filling and I enjoyed each bite!
Jazz
Love a good burger bowl and this one came out so tasty! Thank you for the hot honey and dill pickle juice tips in the sauce–a must!
Robin Sparks
This is such a brilliant idea! And frankly, surprisingly, I didn’t miss the bun.
Stephanie
Such a delicious and easy recipe. I subbed the ground beef for a vegetarian option and it didn’t miss a beat. This bowl was loaded with flavor.
Britney
I literally felt like I was having a burger eating this salad and I didn’t even miss the bread! Perfect recipe for when I’m craving something filling and healthy but still delicious. Thanks!!
Lilly
My burger cravings are almost daily so this recipe is just what I needed! I love how easily it came together! It satisfied my burger craving and I felt good eating it 🙂
Marta
I’m doing this dumb thing called “a no carb diet” so I was glad to find something that didn’t make me want to cuss. These loaded burger bowls made my heart and belly happy, so thank you for bringing light to this stupid diet.
Jessica
If my recipe makes like you feel you can have it all, I’m doing my job! LOL
Sydney Kronfle
I believe I was one of the first to try this recipe, and it was delicious. You won’t even miss the bread!