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High-Protein, Low-Carb Cheeseburger Bowls with Tangy Burger Sauce

A close-up of a tasty cheeseburger bowl featuring seasoned ground beef, melted cheese sauce, lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, and red onion.
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Make satisfying cheeseburger bowls without the bun. This high-protein, low-carb dinner recipe delivers classic burger flavor using seasoned ground beef, fresh toppings, and a homemade tangy sauce. It is perfect for quick weeknight meals or easy meal prep.

Ingredients

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  • 1.5 lb lean ground beef (90% lean or higher)
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 4 slices cheddar cheese
  • 4 cups shredded iceberg or romaine lettuce
  • 1 large tomato, diced
  • 1/2 cup dill pickle chips
  • 1/4 cup finely diced red onion
  • For the Tangy Burger Sauce:
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons ketchup
  • 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
  • 1 tablespoon pickle relish (or finely chopped pickles)
  • 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Tangy Burger Sauce: In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, pickle relish, apple cider vinegar, and smoked paprika. Mix well until smooth. Set aside.
  2. Cook the Beef: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, combine the ground beef, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Break the meat apart with a spoon and cook until fully browned, about 6 to 8 minutes. Drain off any excess grease.
  3. Melt the Cheese: Reduce the heat to low. Place the cheese slices over the cooked beef. Cover the skillet for 1 to 2 minutes until the cheese melts completely over the meat.
  4. Assemble the Bowls: Divide the shredded lettuce evenly among four serving bowls. This forms your low-carb base.
  5. Top the Bowls: Spoon the cheesy seasoned ground beef mixture over the lettuce in each bowl.
  6. Add Toppings: Distribute the diced tomato, pickle chips, and diced red onion evenly over the beef in each bowl.
  7. Serve: Drizzle a generous amount of the homemade Tangy Burger Sauce over the toppings in each bowl. Serve immediately for a quick dinner, or cool completely before sealing for meal prep lunches.

Notes

  • For extra flavor and fat content, add 4 slices of cooked, crumbled bacon to each bowl.
  • You can substitute ground turkey or ground chicken for the beef if you prefer a lighter protein source.
  • If you are making these for meal prep, store the sauce separately and add it just before eating to keep the lettuce crisp.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://juliameal.com/cheeseburger-bowl-high-protein-low-carb-recipe/