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Olivia's Kitchen / Lunch & Dinner / Healthy Burger Bowls with Special Sauce

Published: Feb 4, 2021 · Modified: Jan 4, 2022 by Olivia Parsons

Healthy Burger Bowls with Special Sauce

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These healthy burger bowls combine all the flavours of a classic burger in a low carb, easy to prepare bowl. They are gluten free, easily dairy free, and customizable for everyone to enjoy!

healthy burger bowls with homemade special sauce.

If you're craving a juicy cheeseburger but want a lighter, low carb option, you must make these Healthy Burger Bowls. They have all the flavors you love—crispy seasoned beef, crunchy lettuce, juice tomatoes, zesty dill pickles, shredded cheddar cheese—served up on a bed of lettuce instead of between buns. If you're looking for an easy meal prep recipe that's high in protein and healthy fats, plus it's gluten free, then you're in the right place with these healthy beef bowls.

The real game changer is the homemade special sauce—it's creamy, a little tangy, slightly sweet, and made from condiments you likely already have in your fridge. The sauce ties the whole bowl together for a true burger taste. Whether you're eating low carb, gluten free, or just want a healthy twist on comfort food, this burger bowls recipe delivers the big flavor and satisfaction.

Jump to:
  • Why You'll Love This Recipe
  • Ingredient Notes
  • How to Make Healthy Burger Bowls
  • Make Ahead & Storage
  • Top Tips
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • More Easy Meals
  • Recipe
  • Reviews

Why You'll Love This Recipe

  • All the burger flavor, none of the bun. These bunless burger bowls are a lighter option for those who love a good burger.
  • Naturally gluten free recipe.
  • Use your favorite classic burger toppings!
  • A customizable dinner for the whole family and meal prep friendly for work or school lunches.
  • Homemade special sauce hit different. You likely have all the ingredients already in your fridge! The homemade burger sauce really ties it all together.
  • High in protein and healthy fats to keep you full while low carb.

If you enjoy this hamburger in a bowl recipe, you'll also like these other meal prep recipes: Greek Protein Pasta Salad, Italian Pasta Salad, Homemade Kofta Meatballs, Greek Chicken Meatballs, Mediterranean Bowls, Mexican Street Corn Salad, and Ricotta Egg Bites.

Ingredient Notes

Here is everything you'll need to make these loaded burger bowls:

ingredients to make healthy homemade burger bowls.
  • Lean ground beef—I like to use 90% lean. You could also use ground turkey, ground chicken, or a plant-based ground meat.
  • Worcestershire sauce—this is integral in giving that "burger" flavor.
  • Seasonings—garlic powder, salt, pepper
  • Iceberg lettuce—this feel like a classic burger lettuce to me, but you could use romaine lettuce, spring mix, spinach, etc.
  • Cherry tomatoes
  • Red onion
  • Dill pickles
  • Cheddar cheese—or any cheese you like on your burgers
  • Banana peppers—if you like spice

For the Special Sauce

  • Mayonnaise—If you're conscious of the calories, use light mayo or even Greek yogurt.
  • Ketchup
  • Mustard
  • Relish—use finely chopped pickles and a little pickle juice if you don't have relish.
  • Lemon juice—fresh or bottled works since it's a small quantity.
  • Seasonings: garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, salt and pepper

Other Topping Ideas
Feel free to use anything that you have on hand or that you enjoy on your burger. Add more meats, veggies, or condiments such as:

- Caramelized onions
- Avocado
- Hot sauce
- Sweet potatoes
- Jalapeños
- Bacon

How to Make Healthy Burger Bowls

Be sure to read the recipe card below for the full ingredient list, instructions, and macros.

(1) Place a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook until brown, about 6 minutes. Be sure to break it up. Once cooked, add the seasonings and worcestershire sauce. You can prepare this in advance and store in the fridge or add directly to the bowls.

(2) In a small bowl, stir together the burger sauce ingredients. Prepare ahead of time and store in the fridge or add directly to the bowls.

(3) To build the burger bowls, start with a large handful of lettuce. Add your toppings of choice, drizzle with some special sauce, and mix! The cooked ground beef can be served hot or cool.

This is a great meal to set up in an assembly line so everyone can choose their toppings. Enjoy!

left: cooking ground beef, middle: homemade special sauce, right: ingredients for burger bowls.

Make Ahead & Storage

Cook the beef and make the burger sauce ahead of time for easy assembly. They will both keep in the fridge for several days. When you're ready to eat, assemble all your toppings in a bowl of lettuce. You can re-heat the ground beef or eat it cold, then drizzle with that delicious burger sauce!

Pre-made burger bowls and burger bowl toppings will keep in the fridge for up to 4 days. Store dressing separately to avoid soggy lettuce!

Top Tips

Here are some of my top tips and tricks for perfect low carb burger bowls:

  • Cook the beef ahead of time for easy assembly.
  • Mix the burger sauce ahead of time too!
  • Use your favorite burger toppings that you enjoy on your burger.
  • Although this is a low carb recipe, feel free to add some roast potatoes, sweet potato fries, cooked rice, a slice of bread, or even burger bun croutons!
  • Pre-assemble your bowls in tupperware containers for a grab-and-go lunch meal prep.

Frequently Asked Questions

What can I use instead of mayonnaise in burger sauce?

Try Greek yogurt for a protein boost! It will have a little more of a tangy flavor than mayo.

burger salad bowls with special sauce.

This high protein burger bowl recipe is an easy low carb meal that tastes delicious and allows you to hit your goals! Customize them with your favorite burger toppings for a crowd pleasing dinner or an easy lunch meal prep.

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See more Lunch & Dinner →

Have you made these deconstructed burger bowls? I'd very much appreciate it if you leave a 5 star rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and review below, and tag me on instagram @fromoliviaskitchen!

Recipe

close up of a healthy burger bowl.

Healthy Burger Bowls Recipe

These healthy deconstructed burger bowls combine all the flavours of a classic burger in a low carb, easy to prepare bowl. With homemade special sauce, they're gluten free, dairy free, and easily customizable for everyone to enjoy!
5 from 8 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Main Course, Salad
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 30 minutes minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes minutes
Servings: 4
Calories: 498kcal
Author: Olivia Parsons

Ingredients
 

Burger Meat

  • 1 lb lean ground beef
  • 1 tablespoon worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper

Special Sauce

  • 3 tablespoon mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoon ketchup
  • 1 teaspoon mustard
  • 2 tablespoon relish
  • ½ teaspoon lemon juice
  • ¼ teaspoon each: garlic powder, paprika, onion powder
  • Pinch of salt and pepper

Bowls

  • 1 head iceberg lettuce
  • 1 pint cherry tomatoes
  • ½ red onion, sliced
  • 1 cup sliced dill pickles
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • ½ cup banana peppers

Instructions

  • Place a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook until brown, about 6 minutes. Be sure to break it up. Once cooked, add the seasonings and worcestershire sauce. You can prepare this in advance and store in the fridge or add directly to the bowls.
  • In a small bowl, stir together the burger sauce ingredients. Prepare ahead of time and store in the fridge or add directly to the bowls.
  • To build the burger bowls, start with a large handful of lettuce. Add your toppings of choice, drizzle with some special sauce, and mix! The beef can be served hot or cool. This is a great meal to set up in an assembly line so everyone can choose their toppings. Enjoy!

Notes

  • You could use ground beef, ground turkey, ground chicken, or a plant-based alternative.
  • Pre-make bowls for easy grab-and-go lunches.
 
Nutrition facts are an estimate.

Nutrition

Calories: 498kcal | Carbohydrates: 23g | Protein: 31g | Fat: 31g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5.6g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9.8g | Trans Fat: 0.6g | Cholesterol: 106mg | Sodium: 1128mg | Potassium: 949mg | Fiber: 3.8g | Sugar: 15g | Vitamin A: 660IU | Vitamin C: 33mg | Calcium: 316mg | Iron: 396mg
Tried this recipe? I'd love to see!Mention @fromoliviaskitchen or tag #oliviaskitchen!
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Rachel says

    November 20, 2021 at 5:25 pm

    5 stars
    Just made this and it’s delicious. Thank you.

    Reply
    • Olivia Parsons says

      November 20, 2021 at 8:53 pm

      Thanks for your comment, Rachel. I'm so glad you enjoyed the burger bowls!

      Reply
  2. bonnie says

    December 02, 2021 at 12:18 pm

    5 stars
    SO GOOD! Didn't expect to like this THAT much!

    Reply
    • Olivia Parsons says

      December 02, 2021 at 1:27 pm

      Thanks Bonnie! I'm so glad you loved these bowls!

      Reply
  3. Amanda says

    May 09, 2022 at 12:17 pm

    Is there nutrition info on this salad! I'm counting calories! Any info would help! Thank you!

    Reply
    • Olivia Parsons says

      May 10, 2022 at 11:34 am

      Hi Amanda—I have just updated the recipe card to include that. Thank you and enjoy!

      Reply
  4. Meagan says

    March 31, 2023 at 10:44 am

    Fantastic! It gave me all the flavour hits to satisfy my love for burgers, in a much lighter package. My husband loved it too. It will be added to the rotation.

    Reply
    • Olivia Parsons says

      April 03, 2023 at 12:22 pm

      So glad you enjoyed!

      Reply
5 from 8 votes (6 ratings without comment)

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