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Home » Nutrition » Recipes » Hamburger Bowls 

Hamburger Bowls 

By Juliana Crimi, RD, MHSc July 1 2025

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

If you love burgers but want something lighter and veggie packed, these hamburger bowls are for you. It’s a deconstructed take on the classic cheeseburger, served in a bowl with crisp lettuce, juicy ground beef, and all your favourite toppings.

The creamy mayo based sauce pulls everything together for a flavour packed meal that’s easy to make any night of the week.

overhead shot of 2 burger bowls

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Ready in under 30 minutes
  • High in protein and fibre
  • Customizable with your favourite toppings
  • Great for meal prep and leftovers

Why Ground Beef?

Ground beef is a great source of protein, iron, and vitamin B12. Using lean ground beef keeps this recipe satisfying and hearty, while reducing excess saturated fat. 

Ingredients

all of the burger bowl toppings on a plate
chopped lettuce in bowl

For the Bowls

  • Chopped tomato
  • Chopped avocado
  • Chopped pickles
  • Pickled red and white onions
  • Chopped jalapeños
  • Chopped lettuce
seasoning and ground beef in bowl
the mayo sauce

For the Ground Beef

  • 2 pounds lean ground beef
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • Cracked black pepper to taste

For the Mayo Sauce

  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons ketchup
  • 1 tablespoon mustard
  • 2 tablespoons relish
  • Splash of pickle juice (optional but adds zing)

Step-by-Step Directions

  1. Chop Your Veggies Dice the tomato, avocado, pickles, jalapeños, and onions. Roughly chop the lettuce and set everything aside.
  2. Cook the Ground Beef In a skillet over medium heat, add the ground beef, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, cracked pepper, and Worcestershire sauce. Sauté until browned and cooked through, breaking up the meat with a spatula as it cooks.
  3. Make the Sauce In a small bowl, mix together the mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, relish, and a splash of pickle juice. Adjust to taste.
  4. Assemble the Bowls Start with a bed of lettuce in each bowl. Top with a generous scoop of ground beef and any combination of veggies you love. Drizzle the mayo sauce over top and enjoy.
close up shot of the burger bowls

Storage

Store the cooked beef in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. The sauce can be kept in a sealed jar or container for up to a week. Chop veggies fresh for best texture or store separately for easy assembly.

Equipment

  • Large skillet
  • Cutting board and knife
  • Mixing bowl
  • Serving bowls

Tips for Delicious Hamburger Bowls

  • Use fresh, crisp lettuce like romaine or iceberg for the best crunch.
  • Add shredded cheese or a hard-boiled egg for extra protein.

Substitutions, Variations, and Dietary Restrictions

  • Vegetarian? Swap ground beef for lentils, tofu crumbles, or a plant-based meat alternative.
  • Low-fat option: Use Greek yogurt or light mayo in the sauce.
  • Low-sodium: Omit added salt and choose low-sodium condiments.
  • No dairy? Use vegan mayo.

FAQs: Hamburger Bowls 

Can I make this in advance?

Yes, cook the ground beef and prep the sauce ahead of time. Store toppings separately and assemble fresh for best results.

Can I use ground turkey instead?

Absolutely. Ground turkey or chicken works well if you prefer a leaner option.

What’s the best lettuce for hamburger bowls?

Romaine or iceberg work best for crunch, but you can use spring mix or spinach too.

More Healthy Recipes

  • Chicken Tacos Ground Chicken
  • Chicken Thigh Tacos
  • Smash Burger Tacos

Recipe

2 burger bowls and the dip ready to serve
Juliana Crimi, RD, MHSc

Hamburger Bowls

If you love burgers but want something lighter and veggie-packed, this hamburger bowl recipe is for you. It’s a deconstructed take on the classic cheeseburger, served in a bowl with crisp lettuce, juicy ground beef, and all your favourite toppings. The creamy mayo-based sauce pulls everything together for a flavour-packed meal that’s easy to make any night of the week.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Cook Time 15 minutes mins
Total Time 25 minutes mins
Servings: 6 Servings
Course: dinner
Cuisine: American
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Bowls
  • Chopped tomato
  • Chopped avocado
  • Chopped pickles
  • Pickled red and white onions
  • Chopped jalapeños
  • Chopped lettuce
For the Ground Beef
  • 2 pounds lean ground beef
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • Cracked black pepper to taste
For the Mayo Sauce
  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons ketchup
  • 1 tablespoon mustard
  • 2 tablespoons relish
  • Splash of pickle juice

Equipment

  • Large skillet
  • Cutting board
  • Knife
  • Mixing bowl
  • Serving bowls

Method
 

  1. Dice the tomato, avocado, pickles, jalapeños, and onions. Roughly chop the lettuce and set everything aside.
  2. In a skillet over medium heat, add the ground beef, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, cracked pepper, and Worcestershire sauce. Sauté until browned and cooked through, breaking up the meat with a spatula as it cooks.
  3. In a small bowl, mix together the mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, relish, and a splash of pickle juice. Adjust to taste.
  4. Start with a bed of lettuce in each bowl. Top with a generous scoop of ground beef and any combination of veggies you love. Drizzle the mayo sauce over top and enjoy.

Notes

  • Use fresh, crisp lettuce like romaine or iceberg for the best crunch.
  • Add shredded cheese or a hard-boiled egg for extra protein.

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Hello and Welcome!

My name is Juliana and I am a Registered Dietitian in Ontario, Canada. On my page I share simple recipes, nutrition tips and more!

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Juliana Crimi, RD, MHSc

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Toronto, Ontario

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