These hamburger bowl recipes have all the taste of a burger, but no bun. You get the beef, the cheese, the pickles and the sauce in one healthy, high protein bowl. They make an easy lunch or a quick weeknight dinner.

Cook the ground beef in one pan, add your toppings, and you’re done in about 20 minutes. Use lettuce or cauliflower rice for a low carb or keto meal, which is handy if you’re trying to lose weight. Or add rice if you want something more filling. Burger bowls are also great for meal prep. Keep the beef and toppings in separate containers and you have lunch ready for the week.

Love cooking with ground beef? Try these ground beef and rice recipes, our hamburger casseroles or a warm hamburger soup. Feeding a crowd? Set up a burger station and let everyone make their own bowl.

20 Easy Hamburger Bowl Recipes

1. Classic Cheeseburger Bowl

Everything you’d put on a cheeseburger, just layered over lettuce instead of stacked between bread. Cheddar, pickles, tomato, and a burger sauce that ties it together.

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 lb ground beef
• Salt, pepper, garlic powder
• 4 cups chopped lettuce
• 1 cup diced tomato
• 1/2 cup diced pickles
• 1 cup shredded cheddar
• 1/4 cup diced red onion
• Burger sauce (mayo, ketchup, mustard, relish)

Instructions:

1. Season the beef and cook in a skillet over medium-high heat, breaking it into crumbles, about 8 minutes.
2. Divide the lettuce among bowls.
3. Top with beef, tomato, pickles, onion, and cheese.
4. Drizzle with burger sauce and serve.

2. Turkey Bacon Cheeseburger Bowl

Same base bowl, with crumbled turkey bacon added in. Crisp the turkey bacon first, then brown the beef in the same skillet so it picks up all that smoky flavor.

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 lb ground beef
• Salt and pepper
• 6 slices turkey bacon
• 4 cups lettuce
• 1 cup shredded cheddar
• 1 cup diced tomato
• Ranch or burger sauce

Instructions:

1. Cook the turkey bacon until crisp, crumble, and set aside.
2. Season and cook the beef in the same skillet, breaking into crumbles, about 8 minutes.
3. Layer lettuce, beef, cheese, tomato, and turkey bacon in bowls.
4. Drizzle with sauce and serve.

3. Big Mac Style Burger Bowl

The copycat sauce is what makes this one. Mayo, ketchup, relish, a little vinegar and garlic powder gets you shockingly close to the real thing.

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 lb ground beef
• Salt and pepper
• 4 cups shredded lettuce
• 1 cup diced pickles
• 1/2 cup diced onion
• 1 cup shredded cheddar
• Sesame seeds
• Big Mac sauce: mayo, ketchup, relish, vinegar, garlic powder, paprika

Instructions:

1. Cook the seasoned beef until browned, about 8 minutes.
2. Mix the sauce ingredients together.
3. Layer lettuce, beef, pickles, onion, and cheese in bowls.
4. Drizzle with sauce and sprinkle with sesame seeds.

💡 Tip: Make a double batch of the sauce. It keeps in the fridge about a week and it’s good on more than just this bowl.

4. Taco Burger Bowl

Taco night and burger night, combined. The beef gets taco seasoning instead of the usual salt and pepper.

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 lb ground beef
• 1 packet taco seasoning
• 4 cups shredded lettuce
• 1 cup black beans
• 1 cup corn
• 1 cup diced tomato
• Shredded cheese, sour cream, salsa

Instructions:

1. Cook the beef with the taco seasoning until browned, about 8 minutes.
2. Layer lettuce, beef, beans, corn, and tomato in bowls.
3. Top with cheese, sour cream, and salsa.

5. BBQ Burger Bowl

Smoky and a little sweet, with crispy fried onions on top for crunch. Good one for using up leftover BBQ sauce from a cookout.

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 lb ground beef
• Salt and pepper
• 1/2 cup BBQ sauce
• 4 cups lettuce
• 1 cup corn
• 1/2 cup diced red onion
• 1 cup shredded cheddar
• Crispy fried onions, for topping

Instructions:

1. Cook the seasoned beef until browned, then stir in the BBQ sauce for the last 2 minutes.
2. Layer lettuce, beef, corn, onion, and cheese in bowls.
3. Top with crispy fried onions.

6. Keto Burger Bowl

Turkey bacon adds crunch and avocado brings the healthy fat this way of eating actually wants, and the sauce swaps sugar-free ketchup in for the regular kind.

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 lb ground beef
• Salt and pepper
• 4 cups chopped romaine
• 1 cup shredded cheddar
• 6 slices turkey bacon, cooked and crumbled
• 1/2 avocado, sliced
• Sauce: mayo, mustard, sugar-free ketchup

Instructions:

1. Cook the seasoned beef until browned, about 8 minutes.
2. Layer romaine, beef, cheese, turkey bacon, and avocado in bowls.
3. Drizzle with the sauce and serve.

7. Mediterranean Burger Bowl

Oregano and garlic in the meat, feta and olives on top, tzatziki instead of a mayo-based sauce. A lighter direction than most of the other bowls here.

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 lb ground beef
• 1 tsp oregano, 1 tsp garlic powder
• 4 cups chopped romaine
• 1 cup diced cucumber
• 1 cup diced tomato
• 1/2 cup crumbled feta
• 1/4 cup sliced kalamata olives
• Tzatziki sauce

Instructions:

1. Season the beef with oregano and garlic powder, and cook until browned, about 8 minutes.
2. Layer romaine, beef, cucumber, tomato, feta, and olives in bowls.
3. Drizzle with tzatziki.

8. Southwest Burger Bowl

Black beans, corn, and avocado over chili-spiced beef. A chipotle ranch or avocado dressing ties the whole bowl together.

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 lb ground beef
• 1 tbsp chili powder, 1 tsp cumin
• 4 cups shredded lettuce
• 1 cup black beans
• 1 cup corn
• 1 diced avocado
• Pepper jack cheese
• Chipotle ranch or avocado dressing

Instructions:

1. Cook the beef with chili powder and cumin until browned, about 8 minutes.
2. Layer lettuce, beef, beans, corn, avocado, and cheese in bowls.
3. Drizzle with dressing.

⚠️ Budget Note: Canned black beans and frozen corn work just as well here as fresh, and they’re a lot cheaper.

9. Philly Cheesesteak Burger Bowl

Ground beef instead of sliced steak, which makes this version faster than the sandwich original but keeps the same peppers, onions, and melted provolone.

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 lb ground beef
• 1 sliced onion
• 1 sliced green bell pepper
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 cup shredded or sliced provolone
• 4 cups chopped lettuce or cooked rice
• Salt and pepper

Instructions:

1. Sauté the onion and pepper until soft, about 6 minutes. Set aside.
2. Cook the beef with Worcestershire, salt, and pepper until browned.
3. Combine the beef with the onion and pepper.
4. Serve over lettuce or rice, topped with melted provolone.

10. Buffalo Burger Bowl

Carrots, celery, and blue cheese make this taste like a buffalo wing platter reimagined as a burger bowl. Not for the heat-averse.

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 lb ground beef
• Salt and pepper
• 1/3 cup buffalo sauce
• 4 cups chopped romaine
• 1 cup shredded carrots
• 1/2 cup diced celery
• Blue cheese crumbles
• Ranch or blue cheese dressing

Instructions:

1. Cook the seasoned beef until browned, then stir in the buffalo sauce for the last 2 minutes.
2. Layer romaine, beef, carrots, and celery in bowls.
3. Top with blue cheese crumbles and dressing.

11. Mushroom Swiss Burger Bowl

Mushrooms sautéed in butter until they’re deeply golden, not just softened. That extra few minutes makes a real difference in flavor.

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 lb ground beef
• Salt and pepper
• 2 cups sliced mushrooms
• 1 tbsp butter
• 1 cup shredded Swiss
• 4 cups chopped lettuce
• Steak sauce or au jus, for drizzling

Instructions:

1. Sauté the mushrooms in butter until golden, about 6 minutes. Set aside.
2. Cook the seasoned beef until browned.
3. Layer lettuce, beef, mushrooms, and Swiss in bowls.
4. Drizzle with steak sauce.

12. Guacamole Burger Bowl

Fresh guacamole instead of plain avocado slices, plus chipotle mayo for a little smoky heat. Good one for anyone who thinks every burger needs more avocado.

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 lb ground beef
• Salt and pepper
• 2 avocados
• Lime juice, salt, and diced onion, for guacamole
• 4 cups shredded lettuce
• 1 cup diced tomato
• Shredded pepper jack
• Chipotle mayo

Instructions:

1. Cook the seasoned beef until browned, about 8 minutes.
2. Mash the avocados with lime juice, salt, and onion for guacamole.
3. Layer lettuce, beef, tomato, and cheese in bowls.
4. Top with guacamole and chipotle mayo.

13. Ranch Burger Bowl

Ranch seasoning goes into the meat itself, not just on top, so the flavor comes through in every bite instead of sitting on the surface.

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 lb ground beef
• 1 packet ranch seasoning
• 6 slices turkey bacon, cooked and crumbled
• 4 cups lettuce
• 1 cup shredded cheddar
• Ranch dressing

Instructions:

1. Cook the beef with the ranch seasoning until browned, about 8 minutes.
2. Layer lettuce, beef, turkey bacon, and cheese in bowls.
3. Drizzle generously with ranch dressing.

14. Jalapeno Popper Burger Bowl

Warm jalapeño cream cheese instead of a plain sauce, which is really just a jalapeño popper reworked into burger form.

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 lb ground beef
• Salt and pepper
• 4 oz cream cheese, softened
• 2 jalapeños, diced
• 1 cup shredded cheddar
• Cooked turkey bacon, crumbled
• 4 cups lettuce

Instructions:

1. Cook the seasoned beef until browned, about 8 minutes.
2. Mix the cream cheese with half the diced jalapeños, warming slightly to soften.
3. Layer lettuce and beef in bowls.
4. Top with the jalapeño cream cheese, remaining jalapeños, cheddar, and turkey bacon.

15. Greek Burger Bowl

Close cousin to the Mediterranean bowl above, with red onion swapped in for olives and a little extra garlic in the beef.

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 lb ground beef
• 1 tsp oregano, minced garlic
• 4 cups chopped romaine
• 1 cup diced cucumber
• 1/2 cup crumbled feta
• 1/4 cup sliced red onion
• Tzatziki sauce

Instructions:

1. Season the beef with oregano and garlic, and cook until browned, about 8 minutes.
2. Layer romaine, beef, cucumber, feta, and red onion in bowls.
3. Drizzle with tzatziki.

16. Caprese Burger Bowl

Fresh mozzarella, cherry tomatoes, and a balsamic drizzle instead of the usual cheddar and ketchup setup. Feels lighter than most bowls on this list.

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 lb ground beef
• Salt and pepper
• 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes
• 8 oz fresh mozzarella pearls
• Fresh basil
• Balsamic glaze
• 4 cups chopped lettuce or arugula

Instructions:

1. Cook the seasoned beef until browned, about 8 minutes.
2. Layer lettuce or arugula, beef, tomatoes, and mozzarella in bowls.
3. Top with fresh basil and a drizzle of balsamic glaze.

The balsamic glaze can burn if it’s cooked down too far on the stove, so buy a bottle already reduced if you don’t want to babysit a pan for it.

17. Teriyaki Burger Bowl

Rice instead of lettuce as the base here, which makes it more of a full meal than a salad-style bowl.

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 lb ground beef
• 1/3 cup teriyaki sauce
• 2 cups cooked rice
• 1 cup shredded carrots
• 1 cup edamame or steamed broccoli
• Sesame seeds and sliced green onion, for topping

Instructions:

1. Cook the beef until browned, then stir in the teriyaki sauce for the last 2 minutes.
2. Divide the rice among bowls.
3. Top with beef, carrots, and edamame.
4. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and green onion.

18. Loaded Fry Burger Bowl

Fries on the bottom instead of lettuce, which makes this one closer to loaded fries than a salad. Not the lightest option here, but it’s a good one for game day.

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 lb ground beef
• Salt and pepper
• 1 bag frozen fries or sweet potato fries
• 1 cup shredded cheddar
• Cooked turkey bacon, crumbled
• Burger sauce and sliced green onion, for topping

Instructions:

1. Bake the fries according to the package directions.
2. Cook the seasoned beef until browned, about 8 minutes.
3. Layer fries in bowls, then top with beef, cheese, and turkey bacon.
4. Drizzle with burger sauce and sprinkle with green onion.

19. Turkey Burger Bowl

Ground turkey instead of beef, for a lighter option that still holds its own against the toppings. Works well with any of the sauces from the bowls above.

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 lb ground turkey
• Salt, pepper, garlic powder
• 4 cups chopped lettuce
• 1 cup diced tomato
• 1/2 avocado, sliced
• 1/2 cup crumbled feta or shredded cheddar
• Balsamic or ranch dressing

Instructions:

1. Season the turkey and cook until browned and no longer pink, about 8 to 10 minutes.
2. Layer lettuce, turkey, tomato, avocado, and cheese in bowls.
3. Drizzle with dressing.

20. Cauliflower Rice Low Carb Burger Bowl

Cauliflower rice sautéed until tender stands in for the base here, so you still get something warm and filling under the beef without the carbs of regular rice.

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 lb ground beef
• Salt and pepper
• 3 cups cauliflower rice
• 1 tbsp oil
• 1 cup shredded cheddar
• Diced pickles and diced onion, for topping
• Burger sauce: mayo, mustard, sugar-free ketchup

Instructions:

1. Sauté the cauliflower rice in oil over medium heat 5 to 6 minutes, until tender. Season with salt and pepper.
2. Cook the seasoned beef until browned, about 8 minutes.
3. Divide the cauliflower rice among bowls, then top with beef, cheese, pickles, and onion.
4. Drizzle with sauce.

If I had to pick a favorite off this list, it’s the Mediterranean bowl (number 7). It’s the one that doesn’t feel like a diet version of a burger, just a genuinely different way to eat one. But the classic cheeseburger bowl up top is still the one I make most on a regular weeknight.

Hamburger Bowl FAQs

What goes in a hamburger bowl?

A basic hamburger bowl has seasoned ground beef, a base like chopped lettuce, rice or cauliflower rice, shredded cheese, and the usual burger toppings: tomato, onion, pickles and a creamy burger sauce. From there you can go in any direction, from taco seasoning to teriyaki glaze.

Are burger bowls low carb?

They can be. Use lettuce or cauliflower rice as the base, skip the fries and sugary sauces, and a burger bowl comes in at just a few net carbs. Swap in white or brown rice if carbs aren’t a concern.

Can you meal prep hamburger bowls?

Yes. Store the cooked beef in one container and the cold toppings and sauce in others so the lettuce stays crisp. Everything keeps for 3 to 4 days in the fridge. Reheat just the beef before you build the bowl. For more ideas like this, take a look at our high protein recipes for two.

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