If you're craving the flavors of a burger but are looking for a lighter way to enjoy one, let me introduce you to the Cheeseburger Bowl. These delicious bowls are a low-carb alternative to the traditional cheeseburger since I've done away with the burger buns.
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.
It is a family favorite meal because it's fast to make and can be customized with the toppings you have on hand. One critical ingredient is the cheddar cheese. If you don't love cheddar, choose the melting cheese you like best because you want this yummy burger bowl to taste like a mouthwatering cheeseburger!
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Ingredients
I love the simple, fresh ingredients for this easy-to-make cheeseburger in a bowl. It's one of my top favorites to make for our meal rotation.
- I like lean beef for this cheeseburger bowl recipe. Purchase lean ground organic beef for the best flavor.
- I prefer sprinkling old/strong cheddar cheese (I love Cracker Barrel Old Cheddar) on top of this dish but go with the cheese you like best.
- I chose iceberg lettuce because of the nice crunch and texture it adds to this salad bowl.
- 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 the sweet paprika to add a smokiness to the dish. 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, fry some and crumble it over your burger bowl.
- Diced avocado, green bell pepper and red bell pepper are also delicious as a topping.
- A little bit of cracked black pepper for some heat is also a nice touch, or if you like a spicy kick, drizzle your favorite hot sauce over the cheese burger bowl.
- Instead of serving the beef over shredded iceberg, you can serve it over a bed of jasmine rice, basmati or brown rice.
Step-by-Step Instructions to Make Cheeseburger Bowls
In less than 30 minutes, this no-fuss, healthy meal is ready to serve.
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.
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.
Secrets for Success
- 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.
You could serve it cold and the flavor will still be good, but I think it's best eaten when the beef is piping hot. This way when you sprinkle the grated cheese over the beef it melts like it would on a cheeseburger.
Yes, you can cook the beef in advance and prepare all your toppings. When you are ready to eat, reheat the beef in the microwave in a covered bowl with a little bit of water at the bottom (1 tablespoon or so).
Yes! Kids love these burger bowls and especially love assembling their bowl. Many kids would like these bowls even more if you opted for serving over a bed of rice versus a bed of iceberg. You know your kids well so serve it the way you think your family will gobble it all up!
Yes, they are gluten-free but always read the labels on spice bottles to be sure there is no gluten in those products.
📖 Recipe Card
Cheeseburger Bowl
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 old/strong 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, approximately 1 teaspoon
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 old/strong 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.
Francois says
It's delicious!
Donna Poirier says
Glad you love it.
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.