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High-Protein Low-Carb Cheeseburger Bowl with Tangy Burger Sauce

A close-up of a delicious cheeseburger bowl featuring seasoned ground beef, lettuce, pickles, and special sauce.
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Enjoy all the flavor of a classic cheeseburger without the bun in this easy, satisfying bowl. This recipe is perfect for quick weeknight dinners or meal prep and fits well into low-carb or keto lifestyles.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound ground beef (80/20 recommended)
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 4 slices cheddar cheese
  • 4 cups chopped romaine lettuce
  • 1/2 cup sliced dill pickles
  • 1/4 cup diced red onion
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • For the Tangy Burger Sauce:
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons yellow mustard
  • 1 tablespoon ketchup (use low-sugar if strictly keto)
  • 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • Pinch of salt and pepper

Instructions

  1. Prepare the sauce: In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise, mustard, ketchup, apple cider vinegar, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix well until smooth. Set aside.
  2. Cook the beef: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef. Break the meat apart with a spoon.
  3. Season the beef: Sprinkle the salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder over the beef. Cook until the beef is browned and fully cooked, about 6 to 8 minutes. Drain off any excess grease.
  4. Melt the cheese: Reduce the heat to low. Place the cheese slices over the cooked beef. Cover the skillet for 1 to 2 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted and gooey.
  5. Assemble the bowls: Divide the chopped romaine lettuce evenly among four serving bowls. This forms your healthy base.
  6. Top the bowls: Spoon the cheesy ground beef mixture over the lettuce in each bowl.
  7. Add toppings: Distribute the sliced dill pickles and diced red onion evenly over the beef in each bowl.
  8. Serve: Drizzle the prepared tangy burger sauce generously over the top of each cheeseburger bowl. Serve immediately.

Notes

  • For meal prep, store the cooked beef mixture, sauce, and fresh toppings (lettuce, onion, pickles) separately. Assemble just before eating to keep the lettuce crisp.
  • If you prefer a different base, substitute the lettuce with 1 cup of cooked cauliflower rice or regular white rice per serving.
  • You can swap the ground beef for ground turkey or ground chicken for a lighter option, adjusting seasonings as needed.
  • For a smoky flavor, add 1/2 teaspoon of smoked paprika to the ground beef while cooking.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://spoonswirl.com/cheeseburger-bowl-recipe-low-carb-meal-prep/