Easy Burger Bowls: A Lighter Take on a Classic Favorite

I’m joining a few friends to share some of our favorite summer recipes. And these easy burger bowls capture all the classic flavors of a juicy cheeseburger, but without the bun and the fries. Crisp lettuce, seasoned beef, and your favorite burger toppings are the perfect balance of comfort food and eating lighter. Sometimes the best recipes are the ones that take a familiar favorite and give it a little twist. 

What I love most about these easy burger bowls is that you can customize them with the toppings you prefer. So feel free to experiment and swap out the toppings, veggies, and seasonings that you like the most.

Ingredients for easy burger bowls

For the bowls:

• Ground beef (80/20 is what I like to use for burgers)
• Heavy cream
• Grated onion (using a microplane grater)
• Lettuce (I use a combination of romaine lettuce, butter leaf, and crispy greens)
• Cherry tomatoes sliced in half
• Avocado
• Cornichons (sliced in half) or pickles – whichever you prefer 
• Pickled red onions (recipe link here)
• Good cheddar cheese

For the sauce:

• Mayonnaise
• Sriracha sauce
• Ketchup
• Worcestershire sauce
• Chopped cornichons

Directions for making easy burger bowls

For the bowls:

1. Place the beef in a medium bowl and create a small round well in the center of the beef. Salt and pepper the beef, grate about 1/4 of an onion into the well, and also pour the heavy cream into the well. Using your hands, gently mix all the ingredients until they are well combined. Don’t over-mix or the meat will become tough when cooking.
2. Preheat a large skillet over medium-high heat until very hot. Form the beef into a flat round a little bit smaller than the size of the frying pan you are using. I like to use a well-seasoned cast-iron skillet so that you get a great sear on each side of the beef before breaking it apart. Cook on one side until there is a nice crispy layer. Carefully turn the meat over and sear the second side. Searing helps lock in all the juices that keep the meat moist and tender. Using a spatula, break apart the meat into small chunks and keep cooking until there is no more pink meat. Remove from heat and set aside. Drain the beef, or using a slotted spoon, transfer the beef to a clean bowl. Discard the excess grease.
3. While the beef is cooking, chop the lettuce and slice the vegetables you’ll be using, and place them in individual bowls.  
4. To assemble, start by adding the chopped lettuce to each serving bowl. Place a serving of beef on top of one side of the lettuce and arrange the vegetables and cheese around the meat. Add a small cup of sauce to each bowl, serve, and enjoy!

For the sauce:

1. Finely chop the cornichons and set aside.
2. In a small bowl, add the mayo, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, and sriracha sauce. Whisk until combined. Add the cornichons and stir again. 
3. Transfer the sauce to four small cups for serving in the burger bowls.

Ideas for variations or substitutions

• Ground chicken or ground turkey
• Your favorite burger sauce
• Butter pickles or dill pickles
• Crispy bacon
• Seasonings for meat could include paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder

These easy burger bowls are proof that comfort food doesn’t have to be heavy. With fresh, crispy lettuce and vegetables, juicy seasoned beef, and a tangy, flavorful sauce, they’re a lighter, customizable way to enjoy all the best parts of a classic cheeseburger. Perfect for weeknight dinners or summer cookouts, this recipe is one you’ll want to make again and again. And you’ll never miss the bun or the fries.

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You might also like these other fun summer recipes

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