Introduction

This Fully Loaded Burger Bowl offers all the satisfying flavors of a classic burger without the bun. Packed with seasoned ground beef, crispy bacon, fresh veggies, creamy guacamole, and a tangy special sauce, it’s a delicious low-carb meal that’s perfect for any day of the week.

A white bowl filled with a fresh salad that has several layers: the bottom layer is green leafy lettuce, followed by halved red cherry tomatoes and grilled sliced onions in soft white and light purple tones, then a layer of cooked ground beef in brown with bits of green herbs sprinkled on top. On one side is a scoop of bright green guacamole, next to light green pickle slices. Crispy brown sweet potato chips are placed on the side, all drizzled with a light pink creamy sauce. The bowl sits on a white marbled surface with halved avocados and scattered cherry tomatoes around it. 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)
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 the ground beef, garlic powder, and salt. Mix thoroughly using your hands or a wooden spoon. Set aside.
Step 2: Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add avocado oil and swirl to coat the pan. When the oil is hot and shimmering, add the beef mixture. Cook, stirring frequently, until the beef is browned and crumbled.
Step 3: While the beef cooks, prepare the special sauce. In a separate bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, ketchup, maple syrup, dill pickle relish, dried minced onion, crushed red pepper flakes, and a pinch of salt. Taste and adjust seasonings, then set aside.
Step 4: Make the guacamole by mashing avocados with lemon juice and salt in a small bowl until smooth. Set aside.
Step 5: Once the beef is cooked, transfer it to a bowl or plate and set aside. Add the sliced red onions to the skillet in batches, cooking each side until lightly charred. Transfer cooked onions to a separate dish.
Step 6: To assemble, divide chopped romaine lettuce evenly among four bowls. Top each with an equal portion of the cooked ground beef.
Step 7: Arrange cherry tomatoes, pickle chips, crumbled bacon, sautéed red onions, guacamole, and any other preferred toppings around the beef in each bowl.
Step 8: Drizzle the special sauce generously over each bowl and serve immediately, with extra sauce on the side if desired.

Tips & Variations

Use turkey or chicken instead of beef for a lighter protein option.
Swap the special sauce for a spicy chipotle mayo if you prefer heat.
For Whole30 compliance, replace ketchup with extra coconut aminos and use compliant mayonnaise.
Add shredded cheese or a fried egg on top for extra richness.
Use kale or mixed greens instead of romaine for varied textures.

Storage

Store leftover components separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The cooked beef, bacon, and sauce all keep well when stored properly. To reheat the beef and bacon, warm gently in a skillet over low heat or microwave briefly. Assemble the bowl fresh before serving to maintain crispness of the lettuce and freshness of the guacamole.

How to Serve

A white bowl filled with bright green leafy lettuce as the base layer, topped with groups of halved red cherry tomatoes, crispy brown bacon pieces, thinly sliced yellow and orange shredded cheese, cooked dark brown ground beef, light green avocado slices, chopped white and purple onions, and large chunks of pale green pickles. A light yellow creamy sauce is drizzled over the top, slightly covering the ingredients. The bowl is set on a white marbled surface with small white bowls containing more cherry tomatoes and bacon in the background, along with a clear glass bowl of extra lettuce and small glass jars of shredded cheese and pickles around it. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make the special sauce ahead of time?

Yes, the special sauce can be made a day in advance and stored in the refrigerator. This helps the flavors meld for an even tastier sauce.

What can I use instead of avocado oil?

You can substitute avocado oil with melted refined coconut oil or any neutral cooking oil you have on hand, such as vegetable or canola oil.

Fully Loaded Burger Bowl with Special Sauce Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.8 from 150 reviews

This Fully Loaded Burger Bowl is a delicious low-carb alternative to traditional burgers, featuring seasoned ground beef, a creamy special sauce, fresh guacamole, sautéed red onions, crispy bacon, and vibrant veggies served on a bed of chopped romaine lettuce. It’s a flavorful, satisfying meal that’s quick to prepare and perfect for those looking to enjoy burger flavors without the bun.

Author: Elias
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Category: Main Course
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American
Diet: Low Carb

Ingredients

Scale

Burger 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)

Special Sauce

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)

Guacamole

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)

Vegetables and Toppings

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

Mix Burger Ingredients: Add 1 pound lean ground beef, 4 teaspoons garlic powder, and ½ teaspoon salt to a medium mixing bowl. Use your hands or a wooden spoon to mix everything together thoroughly until well combined. Set this mixture aside while preparing other components.
Cook Ground Beef: Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Once warm, add 1 teaspoon avocado oil and swirl to coat the pan evenly. When the oil shimmers and is hot, add the ground beef mixture. Cook it, stirring frequently, until the beef is fully browned and crumbled. While the beef cooks, proceed to prepare the special sauce and guacamole.
Prepare Special Sauce: In a separate medium bowl, combine ½ cup mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons ketchup, 2 teaspoons pure maple syrup (or coconut aminos if preferred), 1 tablespoon dill pickle relish, 2 teaspoons dried minced onion, 1 pinch crushed red pepper flakes, and 1 pinch salt. Whisk together until completely combined. Taste and adjust seasonings as necessary. Set aside until serving.
Make Guacamole: In a small bowl, mash together 2 peeled and pitted avocados, ½ tablespoon fresh lemon juice, and ½ teaspoon salt using a fork until you reach your desired creamy consistency. Set aside.
Sauté Red Onions: Once the ground beef is cooked, transfer it to a bowl or plate and set aside. Return the skillet to medium heat. Add 1 cup thinly sliced red onions in a single layer (work in batches if needed to avoid overcrowding). Cook the onions until they are lightly charred on one side, then flip and char the other side. Transfer the sautéed onions to a bowl or plate. Repeat for remaining onions.
Assemble Burger Bowls: Evenly divide the roughly chopped romaine lettuce (from 2 small heads) among four serving bowls. Next, divide the cooked ground beef into four portions and place one portion on top of the lettuce in each bowl. Arrange equal amounts of cherry tomatoes, pickle chips, crumbled bacon, sautéed red onions, guacamole, and other preferred toppings around the beef in each bowl.
Serve: Drizzle plenty of the prepared special sauce over each burger bowl. Serve immediately and offer extra sauce on the side if desired.

Notes

You can substitute the pure maple syrup in the special sauce with 1 tablespoon coconut aminos for a Whole30-compliant version.
The mayonnaise used can be store-bought or homemade, but ensure it suits your dietary preferences.
Adjust salt and crushed red pepper flakes in the special sauce and guacamole to your taste preference.
Thick-cut bacon is preferred for its texture and flavor, but any bacon will work.
This recipe is easily customizable by adding or omitting toppings as per your liking.

Keywords: burger bowl, low carb burger, no bun burger, healthy burger bowl, ground beef recipe, special sauce, guacamole, bacon burger bowl