Skip the bun but not the flavor with these protein packed, low carb Cheeseburger Bowls. A lighter way to get your cheeseburger fix!
Piling everything we love about burgers in a bowl is not a new concept. But, I’ve found that most of these recipes are missing more than just the bun, and that thing is flavor! I solved this problem by cooking lean ground beef with a highly flavorful blend of dried seasonings. And, to up the flavor factor, I drizzle these Cheeseburger Bowls with an easy BBQ Ranch Dressing for a delicious layer of creamy, smokiness. They are pretty darned irresistible.
Recipe Highlights
- The bowls can be made in under 30 minutes or less if prepped in advance.
- Fresh, flavorful vegetables add a satisfying crunch.
- They are loaded with over 30 grams of protein and only 15 grams of carbohydrates per bowl.
- Cheeseburger Bowls are a great meal prep choice for easy lunches or a make-ahead dinner.
Low Carb Burger Bowls
Did you know that a large hamburger bun can have about 30 grams of carbs? These burger bowls come in half that amount but deliver the same classic burger flavors. They on my list of low carb recipe favorites along with my Chicken Lettuce Wraps and Chicken Zucchini Casserole.
Ingredient Notes
For the Cheeseburger Bowls
- Ground beef – You can get away with using 90% lean ground beef because you’ll add tons of flavor with the seasonings.
- Seasoning for the burger mixture – Chili powder, smoked paprika, kosher salt, granulated garlic, onion powder, and freshly ground black pepper.
- Lettuce – Both shredded iceburg lettuce and romaine.
- Veggies – Cucumber, tomato and red onion.
- Avocado
- Pickles – Bread and butter or dill pickle chips.
- Shredded cheddar cheese
- Bacon – Cooked and crumbled or chopped.
- Doritos – Totally optional but a fun way to add a little additional crunch. Grab your favorite flavor for those who aren’t carb counting.
For the Smoky BBQ Ranch Dressing
- Ranch dressing – Reduced-fat or regular Ranch salad dressing like Litehouse Lite or Homestyle Ranch.
- BBQ sauce – Your favorite brand of no sugar or regular BBQ sauce.
- Dijon mustard
- Smoked paprika – Adds a delicious, smoky element to the dressing.
How to Make Cheeseburger Bowls
The Burger Mixture – Cook and crumble the ground beef in a skillet with the dried seasonings. Let it cool for a bit before assembling the bowls.
Prepping the Ingredients – All the ingredients, including the lettuce, veggies, avocado, and pickles should be well chopped. You want a little bit of everything in each bite!
Smoky BBQ Ranch – Combine the dressing ingredients in a small bowl
Assemble the Cheeseburger Bowls –
- Divide the lettuces between 4 shallow bowls or plates.
- Top each with the burger mixture, cucumber, tomato, avocado, pickles, onion, cheese, and bacon. Top with salad dressing and crushed Doritos, if desired.
Meal Prep Tips
Cheeseburger Bowls are a great choice for meal prep.
- Cook the burger mixture and let it cool.
- Portion out your ingredients, except the avocado, between your meal prep containers. Two compartment meal prep containers allow you to keep the the cooked and fresh items separate which is super helpful for so many recipes like this one.
- Transfer the dressing to a small container or disposable condiment containers.
- Refrigerate the containers and use within 3 to 4 days. Slice and add the avocado just before serving.
More Easy Ground Beef Recipes
Cheeseburger Bowls
Ingredients
For the 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
For the 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
For the Bowls
- 3 cups shredded iceburg 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
Burger Mixture
- Add the ground beef to a nonstick skillet and place over MEDIUM heat. Cook, crumbling the beef with a spoon. Drain excess grease and return to the heat. Add all seasonings and cook, stirring for another 2 minutes. Remove from the heat and allow the mixture to rest and cool a bit while preparing other ingredients.
Smoky BBQ Ranch
- Add the salad dressing, BBQ sauce, Dijon, and smoked paprika to a small bowl and stir to combine well.
Assemble the Bowls
- Add the chopped romaine and iceberg lettuce to a large bowl. Divide the lettuce between 4 shallow bowls or plates. Top each with the burger mixture, cucumber, tomato, avocado, pickles, onion, cheese, and bacon. Top with salad dressing and crushed Doritos, if desired. Alternately, step out of the way and let everyone build their own cheeseburger bowl.
Notes
- Cook the burger mixture and let it cool.
- Portion out your ingredients, except the avocado, between your meal prep containers. Two compartment meal prep containers allow you to keep the the cooked and fresh items separate which is super helpful for so many recipes like this one.
- Transfer the dressing to a small container or disposable condiment containers.
- Refrigerate the containers and use within 3 to 4 days. Slice and add the avocado just before serving.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated using generic ingredients, and is an estimate not a guarantee. For more accurate results, please refer to the labels on your ingredients at home. All information provided regarding nutrition on this website is intended to be used for informational purposes only. Content related to nutrition is not medical advice nor is it intended to replace medical advice. The website is not intended to diagnose, prescribe, or treat any disease, condition, illness, or injury. Before beginning any diet program, modifying your diet, or making changes to the diet of a child in your care, including following the nutrition information available on the website, you should seek advice from a licensed professional.
