Introduction

This Fully Loaded Burger Bowl offers all the flavors of a classic burger without the bun. It’s packed with seasoned ground beef, creamy guacamole, crispy bacon, and a tangy special sauce that ties everything together perfectly.

A white bowl filled with a colorful salad arranged in distinct sections: the bottom layer is a bed of green leafy lettuce, topped with bright red sliced cherry tomatoes on the left, thinly sliced purple onions in curved rings above them, shredded white cheese in the center, dark brown cooked ground beef on the right, and yellow-green pickle slices at the bottom right. A creamy orange dressing is drizzled unevenly over the beef, tomatoes, pickles, and cheese, with a sprinkle of small green herbs scattered on top. The bowl sits on a white marbled surface with a silver fork resting on a striped grey and white cloth napkin by its side. In the background, there are two more white bowls, one filled with more salad and the other with golden fries. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 pound lean ground beef
4 teaspoons garlic powder
½ teaspoon salt (more or less to taste)
1 teaspoon avocado oil (or melted refined coconut oil)
½ cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons ketchup
2 teaspoons pure maple syrup (or 1 tablespoon coconut aminos if on Whole30)
1 tablespoon dill pickle relish
2 teaspoons dried minced onion
1 pinch crushed red pepper flakes (more or less to taste)
1 pinch salt (more or less to taste)
2 medium avocados (pit removed, peeled)
½ tablespoon fresh lemon juice (juice from approximately half of 1 lemon)
½ teaspoon salt (more or less to taste)
1 cup thinly sliced red onion
2 small heads romaine lettuce (leaves only, roughly chopped; approximately 8-9 cups total)
1 ½ cups cherry tomatoes (halved; or grape tomatoes, halved)
½ cup pickle chips (plus more to taste)
8-10 slices thick-cut bacon (cooked, crumbled)

Instructions

Step 1: In a medium mixing bowl, combine ground beef, garlic powder, and salt. Mix well by hand or with a wooden spoon; set aside.
Step 2: Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add avocado oil and swirl to coat the pan. Once the oil is shimmering, add the ground beef mixture and cook, stirring frequently, until browned and fully crumbled.
Step 3: While beef cooks, prepare the special sauce. In a second bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, ketchup, maple syrup, dill pickle relish, dried minced onion, crushed red pepper flakes, and salt. Adjust seasoning to taste and set aside.
Step 4: Make the guacamole by mashing avocados with lemon juice and salt until creamy. Set aside.
Step 5: Once beef is cooked, transfer to a bowl or plate. Return skillet to medium heat and add sliced red onions in a single layer. Cook onions without overcrowding until lightly charred on both sides, working in batches if needed. Set cooked onions aside.
Step 6: To assemble, divide chopped romaine lettuce evenly among four bowls. Place a portion of ground beef in the center of each bowl.
Step 7: Arrange cherry tomatoes, pickle chips, crumbled bacon, sautéed onions, and guacamole around the beef in each bowl.
Step 8: Drizzle generously with special sauce and serve immediately, offering extra sauce on the side if desired.

Tips & Variations

For a dairy-free “special sauce,” use a vegan mayonnaise and substitute maple syrup with coconut aminos for a Whole30-friendly option.
To add extra crunch, sprinkle chopped fresh pickles or radishes on top.
Use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef for a lighter variation.
Leftover special sauce makes a great dip for veggies or fries.

Storage

Store any leftover components separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat the cooked ground beef gently in a skillet. Assemble fresh before serving to keep lettuce crisp. The special sauce and guacamole can be stored covered but may brown slightly; stir before using.

How to Serve

A white bowl filled with a fresh salad shows five main layers starting at the bottom with bright green lettuce leaves. On top of the lettuce are halved red cherry tomatoes scattered on one side and a dollop of chunky green guacamole placed near the top side of the bowl. Next, cooked ground beef sits in the center, with slices of light green pickles on the right. Crispy brown and orange sweet potato chips are placed near the pickles. Thinly cooked onion rings are spread over the lettuce near the bottom. The salad is all drizzled with creamy light pink sauce, lightly dotted with small green herb bits. The bowl rests on a white marbled surface with halved avocados and cherry tomatoes nearby. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this burger bowl ahead of time?

You can prepare the cooked beef, special sauce, guacamole, and sautéed onions in advance, but for best texture, assemble the bowls just before serving to keep the lettuce fresh and crisp.

Is this recipe suitable for a low-carb diet?

Yes, this burger bowl is low-carb and bun-free, making it a great option for those following keto, Whole30, or other low-carb diets.