Cheeseburger bowls are the solution when you're craving a burger but are looking for a lighter way to enjoy one. These delicious, high-protein, 30-minute bowls are a low-carb alternative to the traditional cheeseburger because I've done away with the burger bun!
This healthy burger bowl recipe is a cross between a cheeseburger with all your favorite burger toppings, and a cheeseburger salad. Try it drizzled with my easy burger sauce with tangy dill pickles, mayonnaise, yellow mustard, and ketchup.
It's a family favorite meal because it's fast to make and can be customized with a variety of toppings, such as cheddar cheese, red onions, cherry tomatoes, or even guacamole!
If you love easy meals then try these recipes next: beef stuffed peppers, low-carb egg rolls in a bowl, and/or beef teriyaki bowls.
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Ingredients in Cheeseburger Bowls
I love the simple, fresh ingredients in these easy-to-make cheeseburger bowls. These bowls are often part of our meal rotation, and they're great for meal-prep too.
- I like lean ground beef for this cheeseburger bowl recipe. Purchase lean ground organic beef for the best flavor.
- I prefer sharp cheddar cheese (I love Cracker Barrel Old Cheddar) to top my cheeseburger bowl, but go with the melty cheese you like best.
- I chose iceberg lettuce because of the great crunch and texture it adds to the dish.
- Substitute ½ teaspoon garlic powder if fresh is not available.
See the recipe card below for all the ingredients and measurements.
Substitutions & Variations
- Substitute ground turkey, chicken or pork for the beef.
- Try smoked paprika instead of sweet paprika-to add a bit of smokiness. Or add some steak seasoning like Montréal Steak Spice.
- Substitute finely shredded romaine lettuce instead of iceburg lettuce.
- If you love bacon in your traditional cheeseburger, crumble some over your burger bowl.
- Diced avocado, green bell pepper and red bell pepper are also delicious as a topping.
- For a spicy kick, drizzle your favorite hot sauce over the cheeseburger bowls. Pickled or fresh jalapeños are my favorite for heat.
- Instead of serving the beef over shredded iceberg, you can serve it over a bed of jasmine rice, basmati or brown rice.
How to Make Cheeseburger Bowls
In less than 30 minutes, this no-fuss, healthy meal is ready to serve the whole family.
Prepare lettuce and toppings. With a chef's knife, finely shred the iceberg. Grate the cheese, cut the onion and cherry tomatoes, and set aside.
Sauté the onion. Place a 12-inch skillet (large skillet) over medium to medium-high heat. Add the olive oil and onion. Sauté, until the onion is translucent. About 3 minutes.
Cook beef. Add the meat to the skillet, break it up with a wooden spoon and sauté for 6-8 minutes, until no longer pink. The beef is fully cooked when it reaches an internal temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit. Drain excess fat if any accumulated.
Add remaining ingredients. Add paprika, salt and garlic and sauté for 30 seconds.
✨Tip
Always wash utensils that touched raw meat before using them on cooked food, or grab a fresh one. Safety first!
Assemble the Cheeseburger Bowls. Divide the iceberg lettuce among 4 bowls. Top with the beef, cheese, cherry tomatoes and red onion. Finish with a drizzle of my classic burger sauce.
🌟 Tips & Tricks
- Prepare the toppings before cooking the beef, so you can assemble the bowls as soon as the beef has cooked.
- If using a burger dressing or sauce, make it before sautéing the beef. Try my easy burger sauce recipe.
Storage & Reheating
- Refrigerate leftovers individually in their separate container. Consume within 3-4 days.
- Reheat the leftover beef in the microwave and assemble the bowls with the remaining ingredients.
- The cooked beef and grated cheese can be frozen for up to 3 months.
Recipe FAQs
A cheeseburger bowl is a deconstructed cheeseburger or cheeseburger salad with all your favorite burger toppings, including a homemade burger sauce, assembled in a large bowl.
Yes you can, and they're great for meal-prep too. Cook the beef in advance and prepare all your toppings (and store separately). When you're ready to eat, reheat the beef in the microwave in a covered bowl with a tablespoon or so of water.
Yes! Kids love these burger bowls and especially love assembling their own! They're customizable making them great for the whole family.
Recipe
Cheeseburger Bowls
Equipment
- chef's knife
- cutting board
- cheese grater
- 12-inch skillet
- wooden spoon
- spatula
Ingredients
Lettuce & Toppings
- 4 cups iceberg lettuce, finely shredded
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, grated 3.53 ounces or 100 grams
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, quartered
- ¼ cup red onion, diced
Beef
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- ¾ cup red onion, diced
- 1 pound ground beef, lean ground
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 garlic clove
Sauce
- my recipe for classic burger sauce
Instructions
- Prepare lettuce and toppings. With a chef's knife, finely shred the iceberg. Grate the cheese, cut the onion and cherry tomatoes, and set aside.4 cups iceberg lettuce, 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, 1 cup cherry tomatoes, ¼ cup red onion
- Sauté the onion. Place a 12-inch skillet over medium to medium-high heat. Add the olive oil and onion. Sauté, until the onion is translucent. About 3 minutes.1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, ¾ cup red onion
- Cook beef. Add the meat to the skillet, break it up with a wooden spoon and sauté for 6-8 minutes, until no longer pink. The beef is fully cooked when it reaches an internal temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit. Drain excess fat if any accumulated.1 pound ground beef
- Add remaining ingredients. Add paprika, salt and garlic and sauté for 30 seconds.1 teaspoon paprika, ½ teaspoon kosher salt, 1 garlic clove
- Assemble the Cheeseburger Bowls. Divide the iceberg lettuce among 4 bowls. Top with the beef, cheese, cherry tomatoes and red onion. Finish with a drizzle of my classic burger sauce.
Julie says
Tasted great!! The sauce made this bowl so convincing- I could have closed my eyes and thought I was eating a Big Mac. Delicious alternative to taco bowls. Yum!
Donna Poirier says
Thanks for trying Julie and I’m glad you enjoyed it.
Francois says
It's delicious!
Donna Poirier says
Glad you love it.