Description
A flavorful and low-carb twist on the classic cheeseburger, these Cheeseburger Bowls combine seasoned ground beef with crisp lettuce, fresh vegetables, smoky BBQ ranch dressing, and crispy bacon for a delicious, satisfying meal without the bun.
Ingredients
Scale
Burger Mixture
- 1 pound 85 to 90% lean ground beef
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon granulated garlic
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Smoky BBQ Ranch
- ½ cup reduced-fat or regular Ranch salad dressing (like Lithouse Lite or Homestyle Ranch)
- 1 tablespoon BBQ sauce (no sugar added or regular)
- ½ teaspoon Dijon mustard
- ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika
Bowls
- 3 cups shredded iceberg lettuce
- 3 cups well chopped romaine lettuce (1 romaine heart)
- 1 cup finely chopped cucumber
- 1 cup finely chopped tomato
- 1 large avocado, chopped
- ½ cup chopped bread and butter or dill pickle chips
- ¼ cup finely chopped red onion
- ¾ cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled or chopped
- Crushed Doritos (any flavor), optional
Instructions
- Prepare Burger Mixture: Add the ground beef to a nonstick skillet over medium heat. Crumble the beef with a spoon and cook until browned. Drain any excess grease, then return the skillet to heat. Add chili powder, smoked paprika, kosher salt, granulated garlic, onion powder, and black pepper. Stir and cook for an additional 2 minutes to blend the flavors. Remove from heat and let the beef mixture rest and cool slightly.
- Make Smoky BBQ Ranch: In a small bowl, combine the ranch dressing, BBQ sauce, Dijon mustard, and smoked paprika. Stir thoroughly until the ingredients are well blended.
- Assemble the Bowls: Combine the shredded iceberg and chopped romaine lettuce in a large mixing bowl. Divide this lettuce mixture evenly among 4 shallow bowls or plates. Top each bowl with the cooked burger mixture, then layer on cucumber, tomato, avocado, pickles, red onion, shredded cheddar cheese, and crumbled bacon. Drizzle or spoon the smoky BBQ ranch dressing over each bowl. Optionally, sprinkle crushed Doritos on top for extra crunch and flavor. Serve immediately or allow guests to build their own bowls.
Notes
- Meal prep tip: Cook the burger mixture and allow it to cool completely before storing.
- Portion out the fresh and cooked ingredients separately using two-compartment meal prep containers to keep textures fresh.
- Store the smoky BBQ ranch dressing in a small container or individual condiment cups.
- Refrigerate prepared bowls and use within 3 to 4 days for best freshness.
- Add sliced avocado just before serving to prevent browning.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (approximately 1/4 of total recipe)
- Calories: 420 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 750 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg
