Healthy DIY burger bowls will give you all the flavor and feels of your favorite hamburger in a light and fresh meal that takes just 15 minutes to make. This spin on the cheeseburger salad is low carb and easy to make Whole 30 compliant or keto. Serve with sweet potato fries for an unforgettable lunch or dinner!
Today we are basically talking about how to make a burger in a bowl. This is one of those meals to make with what's in the fridge--at least, that's how I first created it! It's become a go-to low carb meal salad that I can prep ahead of time and then put together quickly between meetings. Yes, it's a seemingly fancy lunch to make at home! I love this deconstructed burger bowl idea because it is easy, tasty, and SO satisfying. Especially with a side of baked sweet potato fries, this meal will keep you full until dinnertime without weighing you down. No sluggish or sleepy feelings after lunch, either. Let's get into the goodness!
Looking for more unique lunch and dinner ideas? Check out these recipe, too.
What You'll Need for this Recipe
One of the reasons I love making healthy burger bowls is because I almost always have the ingredients on hand. The result is a symphony of flavors that evoke my favorite hamburger without the need for a post-mealtime nap. Here are the key components I incorporate time after time.
- Baby Tomatoes
- Black Pepper
- Blue Cheese Crumbles
- Chopped Salad Mix
- Eggs
- Hamburger Patties
- Honey Mustard Salad Dressing
- Olive Oil
- Pickles
- Red Onion
- Sea Salt
- Sweet Potatoes
Not only are the ingredients simple but you won't need any fancy tools either. Grab a sturdy cutting board and a good sharp knife. You'll also use a skillet and spatula. Fry the egg directly after the patty to make this is an easy one-pan meal, too!
What to put in a burger bowl is by no means a one-size-fits all process so don't feel restricted to my list. This is my go-to version and it is certainly delicious but you can craft your high protein lunch option in a number of ways, which I'll get into below.
How Can I Customize this Recipe?
This is how I build my burger bowls and you can follow it to the letter for a truly scrumptious outcome. Or you can swap out ingredients to your liking. Think about your ideal hamburger experience when you're making this and bring in those elements. After all, crafting a delicious salad bowl at home calls for imagination. Here are ideas on how to mix and match for your taste.
- Protein is typically a beef burger patty, for me, but you can use other patties to make a turkey burger bowl, beyond or impossible meat, ground chicken, etc. You can also cook up seasoned ground beef as opposed to patties and get the same result flavor-wise.
- The salad base is customizable, as well. I use a chopped Caesar base from my local H-E-B, full of crunchy romaine and cabbage, which aligns with the greens that often top restaurant-style burgers. Feel free to think outside the box with spinach, kale, butter lettuce or collard greens.
- Cheese: I like to use crumbled blue cheese but you have lots of options. Do you prefer cheddar cheese? Toss in some shredded cheddar. Slices work, too. No cheese? No problem.
- Dressing: Honey mustard vinaigrette is my special sauce of choice for my burger bowl and you can go for either store-bought or homemade honey mustard dressing or something else entirely like thousand island, ranch or maybe a fresh, herby vinaigrette.
- Topping ideas for a low carb burger bowl recipe are pretty expansive. Build your own burger salad bowl with chopped, sliced or diced onion, tomato, and other veggies. I like a fried egg, too. I make mini burger sliders topped with grilled pineapple that would be fabulous flavor inspiration here, too! Pickles seem to be a divisive burger topping but as you can see, I'm a fan. If you are like me, try anything from chopped dill pickles to slices to mini pickles to round out your bowl.
Don't Forget the Side of Fries!
A side of my baked sweet potato fries truly takes this dish to the next level and is easy to make, too. The ingredient list is short and sweet and you don't have to bust out your deep fryer. These bake to perfection on a sheet pan. And if sweet potato is not your thing for some reason, don't worry. I also have a simple recipe for crispy baked fries made with white potatoes.
Chopped Salad Burger Bowl Meal Prep Tips
- Can I make this recipe ahead of time? Yes. You can absolutely meal prep these components up to three days in advance and just build when you're ready to eat. I recommend storing everything chilled, in airtight containers until mealtime.
- How to pack a bun-less burger for lunch? As is, this is an easy lunch or dinner idea for two people or it can be a meal prep to hold you for a couple of days. To pack it up for lunch, assemble all the cold ingredients in one airtight bowl with the burger patty and egg in another. Don't forget a reusable sealed bag for the dressing!
- Can this recipe be doubled? Most certainly! This would make a fun family meal because each person can put their own spin on their bowl. The recipe card below not only includes key information like the burger bowl calories and macros, but also an adjustable portion option so that you know exactly how much of each ingredient you'll need to make burger bowls for a party.
I see several delicious meals in your future featuring this burger without the bun idea. And sharing is caring so be sure to pin the recipe and follow me over on Pinterest. Thanks for reading!
Burger Salad Bowl Recipe
Healthy Burger Bowls for Two
Ingredients
- 2 burger patties
- sea salt to taste
- black pepper to taste
- 10 ounces chopped salad greens
- ¼ red onion chopped
- 10 cherry tomatoes cut into halves
- 4 ounces blue cheese crumbled
- ¼ cup dill pickle slices
- 2 eggs
- 4 tablespoons honey mustard salad dressing
- non-stick oil spray optional
Instructions
- Prepare sweet potato fries. Link to recipe in notes below.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high flame.
- Add burger patties to heated pan, season with sea salt and black pepper, then cook to desired degree: about 3 minutes per side for medium rare, 4 minutes per side for medium, 4 ½ minutes per side for medium well or 5 minutes per side for well done. A meat thermometer inserted into the center of each patty should read 160 degrees Farenheit when burgers are fully cooked.
- Meanwhile, assemble the salad bowls: Evenly divide chopped salad greens between each, followed by chopped onion, tomatoes, blue cheese, and pickles. Add any other desired toppings during this step, as well.
- Carefully remove burger patties from skillet and place on top of prepared salad bowls. Crack eggs into heated skillet and cook in the fat rendered from the burger patties or add a bit of cooking oil if using a very lean meat.
- Fry eggs to desired degree then carefully remove from heat and place one into each salad bowl.
- Divide honey mustard dressing between each bowl before serving. Enjoy!
Stephanie says
Such a fresh healthy take on a burger. Loved the combination of flavors and I think it paired really nicely with the mustard dressing. The sweet potato fries were a a delicious added bonus.
Raquel Seymone says
Wow I love this idea! I'm going to make it for lunch.
Marta says
I've been doing a STUPID diet to get "summer ready" (like I'm even going anywhere), and I've been eating the worst bird food imaginable. I found you burger salad bowls and my heart sang! Finally a meal that fits my diet without making me want to chuck it across the dining room. Definitely a repeat recipe.
Kate says
I made this burger bowl for lunch and it was amazing! Not only was it delicious, it also kept me feeling full for hours.
Britney says
What a delicious meal! I meal prepped this for lunch this week and have been enjoying this salad so much!
Lilly says
I am doing Whole30 right now and this burger salad totally hit the spot!! I loved the addition of sweet potatoes too! So filling and so good!
Jen says
I'm all about healthy meals at the moment as I'm back in the gym so this recipe came right on time. It was so delicious, filling and I can't wait to make it again.