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Who doesn’t love burgers? This burger in a bowl is a perfect healthy burger substitute for your regular burgers with plenty of veggies, fiber and protein without the carbs.
It’s high protein, low carb, low-calorie and gluten-free. Made in just 20 minutes.
If you are craving a delicious burger, but you are on a weight loss journey, or just want something healthier but with the same flavor, this is the meal for you! Its low carb content makes it an ideal option for those who need to be savvy regarding their carb intake.
The thing that I love (and my family does too) about this recipe is that you can modify it based on your preferences. For example, I love pickles, but some don’t. So, you can easily add the ingredients you love and removes the ones you dislike to make it your own.
Additionally, you can add more ground beef to boost the protein intake or more vegetables if you want to feel fuller.
I know that once you try this recipe, you are going to fall in love with it! I sure did.
Ingredients and Substitutes
Romaine lettuce (1 large head, chopped) – I love to use Romaine lettuce because it gives it a crunchiness I love. But if you don’t have it available, you can use other types of lettuce.
You can even replace it with spinach or kale (or have a mix of the leafy greens).
Lean ground beef (1 lb.) – You can also use turkey or chicken ground beef. And, for those who want a plant-based option, you can use tofu.
Garlic powder (1 tsp) – Garlic flakes will do as well.
Onion powder (1 tsp) – Just like garlic, you can also use onion flakes.
Italian seasoning (1 tsp) – Don’t skip this! It adds a punch of flavor to the meal.
Salt and black pepper (to taste)
Sour cream (4 tbsp) – If you want a healthier version, opt for low-fat sour cream or Greek yogurt. I know it sounds weird, but Greek yogurt has the same consistency and flavor as sour cream, with fewer calories and more protein.
Ketchup (4 tbsp) –
Soy sauce (2 tbsp) – If you don’t have soy sauce, you can use coconut aminos. They/re my personal favorite.
Garlic powder (1/2 tsp) –
Onion powder (1/2 tsp) –
Maple syrup (1/2 tsp) – You can also use sugar-free maple syrup.
Veggies
1 avocado (sliced) – This adds some creaminess to the dish, make sure you don’t skip it (unless you don’t like avocados).
1/2 red onion (sliced) – You can also use white or yellow onion.
2 large pickles (sliced) – If you don’t like pickles, you can use fresh cucumbers instead.
1 cup cherry tomatoes (halved) – If you don’t have cherry tomatoes, you can use other types of tomatoes cubed.
How to Make Burger in a Bowl?
Step 1. Heat a skillet on medium heat and add the beef, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 5-7 minutes or until it’s brown.
Step 2. Remove the pan from the heat and remove the excess liquid.
Step 3. In a small bowl, combine all the ingredients for the burger sauce (sour cream, ketchup, soy sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, and maple syrup).
Step 4. Now it’s time for the good part, assembling the bowls. Place a layer of lettuce and ground beef, and then cover with avocados, red onions, pickles, and cherry tomatoes.
Step 5. Drizzle the bowls with the burger sauce and add black pepper and salt to taste.
Veggies You Can Use
The vegetables in the recipe are only a few of the ones you can use. There are countless options to make the bowl your own.
Here is a list of my favorite vegetables to add:
- Mushrooms
- Kimchi
- Cabbage
- Shredded carrots
- Pickled onions
- Corn
- Squash
- Artichokes
Now, these are only a few options you can try. If you are feeling more creative, and try other options, let me know!
How to Store
I’ve found that this recipe is great for meal prepping. However, there are a few tricks I’ve learned through my experience.
First, try not to store everything combined. Doing so can increase the risk of the vegetables (especially the lettuce) becoming soggy. And, nobody wants to eat soggy lettuce.
So, it’s best to store each item separately. Once you are ready to make the burger in a bowl, grab the containers, reheat the beef, and then make a fresh bowl in seconds.
If you know you’ll eat the bowl within a day, assemble as is, bring to work and you can even enjoy it cold. Although, I love it warm much more.
Watch How to Make
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Healthy Burger in a Bowl
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 large head romaine lettuce chopped
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Burger Sauce
- 4 tbsp sour cream
- 4 tbsp ketchup
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp maple syrup
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Veggies
- 1 avocado sliced
- 1/2 red onion sliced
- 2 large pickles sliced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
Instructions
- Heat up your skillet and add in beef mince. Add garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, salt and black pepper. Cook until browned for about 5-7 minutes.
- Remove excess liquid and remove from the heat.
- Combine all the sauce ingredients to make burger sauce.
- Assemble your bowls. Add in a layer of lettuce, ground beef, cover with avocado, red onion, pickles and cherry tomatoes.
- Drizzle the bowls with burger sauce and add a sprinkle of salt and black pepper.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I made this today and I can’t wait to have them for lunch this week. My sauce was much darker though. Should it be 2 tsp of soy sauce instead of 2 tbls?
Glad to hear, Julie! No, it’s definitely 2 tbsp of soy sauce. I’ve made this multiple times and the sauce always turns out light. I mean there is a ton of sour cream in it, so it cannot really get that dark anyway.
Also, do remember I take these pictures in a very well lit up studio and use Lightroom to brighten up the food to make sure you can see all the details before you decide whether to make it or not. 🙂
Anyway, Enjoy!
When I wanted to make this a few months ago, my pre-teen daughter wasn’t interested. But finally this week she liked the idea. My Miss Only Eats Sushi and Chicken Tenders has eaten this twice this week. I really don’t blame her. It makes a good amount, is easy enough for a 12 year old to make and is filing. That’s certainly a win in my opinion!
Ella,
your comment has made me so happy!It can be very difficult to introduce our little picky eaters to new foods. I am so glad she liked it! You’ve made my day!😊
I loved the recipe. Made it for lunch one day and then ended up making a few more times because it’s so easy and low calorie.
I’m losing weight just now and it’s helping.