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High Protein Burger Bowls with Special Sauce

Deconstructed cheeseburger bowls with seasoned ground beef, fresh vegetables, and tangy special sauce for a satisfying 30-minute dinner.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 465

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb lean ground beef 90% or 93% lean
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise avocado oil mayo preferred
  • 2 tablespoons ketchup unsweetened preferred
  • 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
  • 1 tablespoon pickle juice
  • 1 tablespoon dill relish
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder for sauce
  • 1/4 teaspoon onion powder for sauce
  • 1 head romaine lettuce shredded
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
  • 1/2 cup dill pickles sliced
  • 1/4 cup red onion thinly sliced
  • 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Equipment

  • large skillet
  • small mixing bowl
  • whisk
  • spatula

Method
 

  1. In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, pickle juice, relish, garlic powder, and onion powder until smooth. Refrigerate while you cook the beef to allow flavors to meld.
  2. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat until properly hot. Add the ground beef along with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika.
  3. Let the meat sit undisturbed for 2 to 3 minutes to develop a sear, then break apart with a spatula. Continue cooking for 5 to 7 minutes until fully browned and cooked through. Drain any excess grease if necessary.
  4. While the beef cooks, shred the romaine lettuce, halve the cherry tomatoes, and thinly slice the red onion and pickles.
  5. Divide the shredded romaine among four large bowls. Top each with a generous portion of warm ground beef in the center.
  6. Arrange the tomatoes, pickles, red onion, and shredded cheese around the beef. Add optional toppings like avocado or sweet potato fries if desired.
  7. Drizzle each bowl generously with the special sauce and serve immediately.

Notes

Storage: Store cooked beef and sauce separately in airtight containers for up to 4 days. Keep vegetables fresh and assemble bowls as needed. Substitutions: Swap ground beef for ground turkey, chicken, or bison. Use dairy-free cheese or omit for a dairy-free version. Make-ahead: Cook beef and prepare sauce in advance. Store components separately and assemble fresh bowls throughout the week. Serving: Add air-fried sweet potato fries or waffle fries directly to the bowl for the complete burger experience.