Bursting with color, crunch, and savory satisfaction, this Loaded Burger Bowl is everything you love about a classic cheeseburger – without the bun! Juicy spiced beef, crisp lettuce, ripe avocado, and plenty of your favorite toppings all come together in one irresistible bowl that’s ready in under 30 minutes.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- All the flavors of a burger—without the bun: This Loaded Burger Bowl packs in juicy beef, creamy avocado, crisp lettuce, and tangy pickles for the full burger experience, minus the carbs.
- Customizable for any craving: Whether you want it spicy, extra cheesy, or piled with veggies, this bowl lets you mix and match your favorite toppings.
- Weeknight fast (and meal prep friendly): From skillet to table in about 25 minutes, it’s a total lifesaver for busy nights—and leftovers stay fresh for easy lunches.
- Fresh, vibrant, and endlessly satisfying: Every bite delivers cool crunch, hearty beef, and all those burger bowl fixin’s you adore.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The building blocks of a crave-worthy Loaded Burger Bowl are all about balance—juicy beef, crispy greens, creamy avocado, and a rainbow of toppings that make every forkful fun and flavorful. Each ingredient brings its own pop of taste and color, turning a simple dinner into something memorable.
- Ground beef: The star of the show! Look for 80/20 beef for juicy flavor, or opt for leaner if you prefer.
- Garlic powder: Adds savory depth to the beef for that irresistible burger vibe.
- Olive oil: Just a smidge to help brown the beef and lock in the flavor.
- Romaine lettuce: Crunchy and fresh, this acts as the base and keeps every bite light.
- Cherry tomatoes: Bursts of color and sweetness that brighten up your bowl.
- Pickles: Don’t skip them! Their tang cuts through the richness just like on your favorite burger.
- Red onion: Thinly sliced for sweet, punchy crunch—so classic.
- Shredded cheese: Melty or sharp, it’s entirely up to you—cheddar, Colby Jack, or even pepper jack are all delicious.
- Avocados: Creamy, nourishing, and gorgeous on top; slice just before serving for maximum freshness.
Variations
The beauty of a Loaded Burger Bowl is how easy it is to make your own! With just a few tweaks, you can easily fit any craving, dietary goal, or ingredient you have on hand.
- Spicy Burger Bowl: Add sliced jalapeños, a sprinkle of chili flakes, or use pepper jack cheese for a zesty kick.
- Low-Carb/Keto: Swap the tomatoes for more leafy greens and use a sugar-free burger sauce.
- Vegetarian Version: Replace the ground beef with cooked lentils, black beans, or a plant-based ground “meat.”
- Extra Veggies: Toss in roasted mushrooms, sautéed peppers, or shredded carrots for more texture and flavor.
- Dairy-Free: Skip the cheese or use your favorite plant-based alternative—avocado still brings that creamy element.
How to Make Loaded Burger Bowl
Step 1: Brown the Beef
Start by heating olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add your ground beef and break it up with a spatula. Let it cook, stirring occasionally, so you get those flavorful, golden-brown crumbles. Once nearly cooked through, sprinkle in the garlic powder, mixing well so every morsel is savory and succulent.
Step 2: Prepare the Veggies
While the beef cooks, chop the romaine lettuce into bite-sized pieces for the bowl’s base. Slice the cherry tomatoes, thinly slice the red onions, halve your pickles, and get your cheese shredded if it isn’t already. Cut the avocados just before serving—they’re best when freshly sliced!
Step 3: Assemble Your Burger Bowls
With everything ready, it’s time for the fun part! Start by adding a bed of lettuce to each bowl. Pile the savory ground beef on top, then scatter your tomatoes, pickles, onions, and cheese over everything. Nestle in slices of creamy avocado for that final restaurant-worthy touch.
Step 4: Add Sauce & Serve
Drizzle your favorite burger sauce generously over each Loaded Burger Bowl. Whether you go classic with ketchup and mustard, whip up a quick “special sauce,” or even use a tangy ranch, this finishing touch ties every flavor together. Grab a fork, mix things up as much as you like, and dig in!
Pro Tips for Making Loaded Burger Bowl
- Crumbled Texture Magic: Use a potato masher or the edge of your spatula to break up the beef into even crumbles — more nooks for cheese and sauce to cling to!
- Avocado at Its Best: Wait until the last minute to slice the avocado so it’s perfectly green and creamy (a quick splash of lime keeps browning at bay if prepping ahead).
- Shred Your Own Cheese: Pre-shredded cheese can be dry and clumpy — buy a block and grate it fresh for superior melt and flavor.
- Layer for Crunch: Start with lettuce, then add the hot beef—this keeps greens crisp while gently melting the cheese right on top.
How to Serve Loaded Burger Bowl
Garnishes
Add an extra sprinkle of sesame seeds, chopped fresh chives, or sliced green onions on top just before serving for a pop of freshness and a little visual flair. If you’re a big pickle fan, a couple of pickle chips perched on top finish the look—and flavor—beautifully.
Side Dishes
These Loaded Burger Bowls pair up beautifully with crisp oven fries, roasted sweet potato wedges, or a side of crunchy slaw. For something lighter, a big bowl of watermelon chunks or a simple cucumber salad makes a wonderfully refreshing contrast.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve your Loaded Burger Bowl buffet-style: lay out all the toppings and let everyone build their own! For parties, make mini bowls in clear cups (hello, appetizer trays!) or pack the base and toppings separately for a picnic or mess-free lunch. Layering ingredients in mason jars looks gorgeous and keeps everything crisp until you’re ready to eat.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep all your burger bowl components in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator—this keeps your greens nice and crisp and your veggies fresh. The cooked ground beef will stay delicious for up to 3-5 days, making it perfect for lunch meal prep or busy weeknight dinners.
Freezing
Freezing isn’t recommended for a Loaded Burger Bowl as lettuce and raw vegetables can become watery and limp once thawed. If you need to freeze something, stick to just the cooked beef—pop it in a freezer-safe container, and then thaw and reheat as needed.
Reheating
The best way to reheat the beef for your next Loaded Burger Bowl is in a skillet over medium until hot, or in the microwave for 1-2 minutes. Keep the veggies and avocado cold—just reassemble your bowl when ready to eat for maximum freshness.
FAQs
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What kind of sauce goes best with a Loaded Burger Bowl?
The classic choice is a combo of ketchup and mustard (just like a traditional burger!), but special burger sauce, ranch dressing, or even spicy mayo all taste fantastic. For a tangy kick, try a homemade “secret sauce”—just mix mayo, ketchup, chopped pickles, and a dash of hot sauce.
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Can I make this recipe with ground turkey or chicken?
Absolutely! Ground turkey or chicken both work beautifully and still soak up all the burger flavor. Just be sure not to overcook—leaner meats can dry out faster than beef, so cook until just done.
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How do I keep lettuce crisp for meal prep?
After washing and chopping, spin your lettuce thoroughly dry and store it in a paper towel–lined container. Keep dressing and warm beef separate until just before eating—this keeps everything crunchy and fresh.
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Can I prep Loaded Burger Bowls ahead for a party?
Yes! Prepare all toppings and beef in advance and keep chilled in separate bowls. Set out with tongs and let everyone build their own—it’s a total crowd-pleaser, and everyone gets their perfect burger bowl.
Final Thoughts
If you love burgers but crave something fresh, bold, and easy, you simply have to try this Loaded Burger Bowl. It’s endlessly customizable, crowd-pleasing, and so much fun to share—so dig in and make it your own tonight!
Print
Loaded Burger Bowl Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 bowls 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sauté, Assemble
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
This Burger Bowl Recipe is a deconstructed take on a classic burger, served in a bowl for a low-carb twist. Loaded with all the traditional burger toppings, this dish is satisfying and flavorful.
Ingredients
For the Beef
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp olive oil
For the Bowls
- 2 heads romaine lettuce chopped into bite-sized pieces
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
- 1/2 cup pickles
- 1 cup red onion thinly sliced
- 1 cup shredded cheese
- 2 avocados pitted, peeled, and sliced
Instructions
- For the Beef: In a skillet over medium-high heat, add olive oil and ground beef. Brown the beef, then add garlic powder and mix well. Drain excess grease.
- For the Bowls: Fill a serving bowl with lettuce. Add beef, cheese, tomatoes, pickles, onions, and avocados. Top with burger sauce.
Notes
- To STORE your Loaded Burger Bowls leftovers, keep ingredients separate in airtight containers in the refrigerator. Cooked ground beef stays good for 3-5 days. Avoid freezing as lettuce and fresh vegetables don’t thaw well.
- REHEAT the beef in the microwave or skillet until warm, about 1-2 minutes.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 606 kcal
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 469mg
- Fat: 48g
- Saturated Fat: 16g
- Unsaturated Fat: 26g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 16g
- Fiber: 8g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 109mg
