When you're craving a burger but trying to limit carbs, this quick and easy Cheeseburger Bowl is the perfect solution.
Complete with all the traditional cheeseburger fixings, our version of the viral Cheeseburger Bowl features a delicious Greek yogurt-based special sauce that's high in flavor with a boost of protein.
Why We Love This Cheeseburger Bowl
- Lower-Carb/High-Protein: Let's face it, every once in a while, we all crave a cheeseburger. This lower-carb version without the bun keeps your glucose levels in check while scratching that cheeseburger itch.
- Quick and Easy - if you want dinner on the table in 20 minutes or less, this is your recipe!
- Our version has mini burger patties with melted cheese, giving you a real cheeseburger experience.
- Adaptable - switch up the toppings and customize it to make it your own. Read about how to customize your Cheeseburger Bowl below.
Ingredients for the Cheeseburger Bowl
- Lean Ground Beef - An 85/15 ratio is considered lean and preferable for keeping calories in check. Opt for grass-fed, if possible.
- Onion Powder and Garlic Powder - we're keeping things super simple (no onions or garlic to chop) without sacrificing flavor.
- Salt and Pepper - Diamond Crystal Kosher Salt is my go-to salt. It's less salty than other salts, so adjust to taste if substituting.
- Cheddar Cheese or another cheese that melts well, like Colby, Monterey Jack, or Pepper Jack.
- Romaine Lettuce, shredded or chopped. Skip the less nutritious iceberg.
- Cherry Tomatoes are my go-to when I can't find farm-fresh, ripe tomatoes (which is most of the year). Use whatever tomato variety you prefer.
- Red Onion diced small for a little bite and sharpness.
- Dill Pickle Slices - choose a variety without added sugar and coloring.
Ingredients for the Special Sauce
- Greek Yogurt replaces mayo, and trust me when I tell you, you won't miss the mayo.
- Ketchup - look for a brand without added sugar or corn syrup.
- Yellow Mustard for a sharp, tangy flavor.
- Pickle Juice adds depth, acidity, and saltiness.
- Hot Sauce is completely optional, but recommended if you like a little spice. I tested it with Valentina Salsa Picante (affiliate link), and it was perfection.
How to Make A Cheeseburger Bowl
- Mix all the ingredients for the sauce in a bowl and set aside.
- Chop the lettuce, tomatoes, and red onion.
- Slice the pickles.
- Preheat a skillet on medium-high heat.
- Place the ground beef in a bowl; add the onion powder, garlic powder, salt and pepper and mix well.
- Make about 12 small burger patties, add them to the hot skillet, and press them with the back of a spatula to flatten them out. Cook about 2 minutes, or until browned on one side.
- Flip the burgers, add a bit of shredded cheese to each patty, and cover the skillet with a lid. Cook covered for one minute.
- Remove the lid and cook the patties one minute longer, or until an instant-read meat thermometer inserted into the middle of a burger reads 160°F or higher.
- Assemble the salads with the toppings and the burger patties. Finish with the special sauce.
How to Customize the Cheeseburger Bowl
- Add avocado slices for a bit of healthy fat and creaminess.
- Sauté up some onions until caramelized and layer them over the top.
- Mushroom fan? Go ahead and sauté some onions for an elevated flavor bomb.
- If spicy burgers are your thing, throw in some roasted poblanos or jalapeños to kick it up a notch.
- Replace the cheddar cheese with blue cheese or feta for a sharper, more pungent flavor.
Common Questions
Absolutely. You can substitute ground bison, chicken, or turkey.
Sure, you can prepare the separate components of the bowl, but store them separately and assemble just before eating. For example, make the sauce; cook the patties with the cheese; and make the salad. When ready to eat, heat the burger patties in the microwave and serve them on top of the salad with the sauce.
If you store each of the elements separately — the cooked burger patties, the sauce, and the salad components — in air-tight containers, they will stay fresh refrigerated for about 3-4 days.
Recipe
Cheeseburger Bowl: Low-Carb and Glucose-Friendly
Equipment
Ingredients
Special Sauce
- ⅓ cup Greek yogurt
- 2 tablespoon ketchup choose one with no added sugar
- ½ tablespoon yellow mustard
- 2 tablespoon pickle juice
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce optional
Cheeseburger Bowl
- 4 cups romaine lettuce shredded or chopped
- ½ cup cherry tomatoes diced
- ¼ cup red onion diced
- ¼ cup dill pickles sliced, no added sugar
- 1 lb ground beef 85/15, preferably grass-fed
- ¾ teaspoon onion powder
- ¾ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Diamond Crystal Kosher Salt
- pepper to taste
- ½ cup cheddar cheese grated
Instructions
Special Sauce
- Mix all of the ingredients for the sauce in a bowl and set aside.⅓ cup Greek yogurt, 2 tbsp ketchup, ½ tbsp yellow mustard, 2 tbsp pickle juice, 1 tsp hot sauce
Cheeseburger Bowl
- Chop the lettuce, tomatoes and red onion.4 cups romaine lettuce, ½ cup cherry tomatoes, ¼ cup red onion
- Slice the pickles¼ cup dill pickles
- Preheat a skillet on medium-high heat.
- Place the ground beef in a bowl; add the onion powder, garlic powder, salt and pepper and mix well.1 lb ground beef, ¾ tsp onion powder, ¾ tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp Diamond Crystal Kosher Salt, pepper
- Make about 12 small burger patties, and add them to the hot skillet. Press them with the back of the spatula to flatten them out. Cook about 2 minutes, or until browned on one side.
- Flip the burgers, add a bit of shredded cheese to each patty, and cover the skillet with a lid. Cook covered for one minute.½ cup cheddar cheese
- Remove the lid and cook the patties one minute longer, or until an instand-read meat thermometer insterted into the middle of a burger reads 160℉ or higher.
- Assemble salads with the toppings and the burger patties. Finish with the special sauce.
Nutrition
Dietitian Approved by Jen Birge, MS, RDN, CDCES
Everyone loves a cheeseburger, right? Taking the bun out of the equation lowers the carb amount and makes this dish glucose-friendly.
You might already be ordering burgers at your favorite restaurant without the bun, maybe wrapped in lettuce. This is similar, but with Jackelin's special sauce, you'll want to make these at home instead of ordering out!
With every recipe, make sure there's a good protein-to-carb ratio that promotes balanced glucose levels. This recipe has 36 grams of protein with only 8 grams of carbs. So, that allows you to have a low-carb meal or to add some carbs, if that is your preference.
I'd still keep carbs to around 45 grams per meal for improving insulin resistance. Maybe 60 grams if you are really active and keep in mind that everyone is different, so seeing a dietitian is helpful. You can schedule an appointment here with myself, Jen, or another dietitian.
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