Burger Bowls

By Krista Teigen

Updated Dec 15, 2025

Burger bowls are one of my favorite ways to enjoy all the flavors of a juicy cheeseburger without the bun. I’m big on stacking my burger with as many toppings and sauces as possible, and these bowls make it that much easier to pile on my favorites. With seasoned beef, crispy fries, fresh veggies, and a creamy burger sauce, this bowl has everything you love in one hearty dish. Plus, it’s one of the easiest recipes to customize and make it how you love it.

Overhead view of a burger bowl filled with ground beef, shredded cheddar cheese, lettuce, grape tomatoes, red onion slices, dill pickles, French fries, and drizzled burger sauce. - 4

Pin this recipe for later!

Tips for Beginners

Use an air fryer for the fries . It gives you that perfect crisp without the extra oil, and they reheat well if you’re prepping ahead.
Chill the burger sauce for at least 30 minutes . This not only thickens it up but also lets the flavors meld together for a richer, tangier bite.
Prep and chop toppings in advance . Keep them in airtight containers so you can throw the bowls together in minutes, even on busy nights. I love doing this at the beginning of the week and then enjoying these bowls for lunches or a quick dinner.

Ingredients1x2x3x

Hamburger Meat

▢ 1½ lbs ground beef
▢ 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
▢ ½ tsp onion powder
▢ ½ tsp garlic powder
▢ ½ tsp salt
▢ ¼ tsp pepper
▢ 1 tbsp olive oil

Burger Sauce

▢ ⅔ cup mayonnaise
▢ ¼ cup ketchup
▢ 2 tbsp mustard
▢ 3 tbsp pickle juice
▢ ½ tsp paprika
▢ ¼ tsp onion powder
▢ ¼ tsp garlic powder

Bowl Fixings

▢ 8 cups chopped romaine lettuce
▢ 1 pint grape tomatoes halved
▢ ½ red onion thinly sliced
▢ ½ cup dill pickle chips
▢ 3 cups frozen French fries or sweet potato fries cooked until crispy
▢ 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

Video

Instructions

In a bowl, combine the ground beef, Worcestershire sauce, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. 1½ lbs ground beef, 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce, ½ tsp onion powder, ½ tsp garlic powder, ½ tsp salt, ¼ tsp pepper
Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook for a few minutes until the meat is fully cooked through. 1 tbsp olive oil
Whisk together the burger sauce ingredients in a dish. ⅔ cup mayonnaise, ¼ cup ketchup, 2 tbsp mustard, 3 tbsp pickle juice, ½ tsp paprika, ¼ tsp onion powder, ¼ tsp garlic powder
Layer an equal amount of lettuce at the bottom of each bowl. Top with an equal amount of ground beef, tomato, onion slices, dill pickle chips, French fries, and cheddar cheese. 8 cups chopped romaine lettuce, 1 pint grape tomatoes, ½ red onion, ½ cup dill pickle chips, 3 cups frozen French fries or sweet potato fries, 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Drizzle burger sauce over the top of each bowl.

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

How to Make Burger Bowls Step by Step

Gather all the ingredients together.

Glass mixing bowl filled with raw ground beef surrounded by bowls of shredded cheese, pickles, sliced red onions, grape tomatoes, and romaine lettuce. - 6

Mix the beef: In a large bowl, combine 1½ lbs ground beef, 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce, ½ tsp onion powder, ½ tsp garlic powder, ½ tsp salt, and ¼ tsp pepper. Mix until just combined.

Cooked ground beef in a white skillet with a wooden spoon, surrounded by bowls of shredded cheese, mayonnaise, grape tomatoes, and seasoning spices. - 7

Cook the beef: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the beef mixture and cook for 6–8 minutes, breaking it apart with a spoon, until fully browned and cooked through.

Creamy burger sauce whisked in a glass bowl, surrounded by bowls of shredded cheese, lettuce, grape tomatoes, and pickle slices. - 8

Make the burger sauce: In a separate bowl, whisk together ⅔ cup mayonnaise, ¼ cup ketchup, 2 tbsp mustard, 3 tbsp pickle juice, ½ tsp paprika, ¼ tsp onion powder, and ¼ tsp garlic powder until smooth. Chill until ready to use.

Burger bowl topped with ground beef, fries, cheese, tomatoes, onions, pickles, and sauce, next to a jar of burger sauce, striped kitchen towel, and bowls of toppings. - 9

Build the bowls: To assemble, divide 8 cups of chopped romaine lettuce evenly among 4 bowls. Top each with a portion of the cooked beef, 1 pint halved grape tomatoes, ½ thinly sliced red onion, ½ cup dill pickle chips, 3 cups crispy French fries, and 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese. Drizzle the prepared burger sauce over the bowls and serve immediately. Enjoy!

Side view of a burger bowl showing layers of lettuce, ground beef, shredded cheese, pickles, tomatoes, red onion, and crispy fries drizzled with sauce. - 10

How to Store and Reheat

If you have leftovers, store the beef, toppings, and sauce in separate airtight containers to keep everything fresh. The cooked beef will last up to 4 days in the fridge and can also be frozen for up to 2 months.

Fries are best eaten fresh, but you can re-crisp them in the oven or air fryer. When reheating, warm the beef on the stove or in the microwave, then build your bowl with fresh lettuce and toppings before drizzling on the sauce.

Serving Suggestions

I usually enjoy these burger bowls just as they are, but sometimes it’s fun to make the meal feel like a full-on burger night. If I’m craving extra crunch, I’ll throw in some oven-baked onion rings or zucchini fries . For balance, a fresh fruit salad or a simple coleslaw on the side works perfectly. On nights when I want something lighter, roasted vegetables are my go-to.

What Else Can I Add?

Burger bowls are endlessly customizable—try mixing and matching add-ins to make them your own:

Proteins: swap ground beef for turkey, chicken, or plant-based crumbles.
Cheese: try pepper jack, Swiss, blue cheese crumbles, or dairy-free alternatives.
Toppings: crispy bacon , avocado slices, pickles red onions , sautéed mushrooms, or jalapeños.
Carbs: sub fries with sweet potato fries , roasted potatoes, or even mac and cheese bites.
Greens: mix in spinach, kale, or arugula with the romaine for extra freshness.
Sauces: drizzle BBQ sauce, ranch, burger sauce , or hot sauce for a flavor twist.

More Easy Dinner Bowls

Overhead view of a salmon bowl filled with rice, avocado, shredded carrots, sliced cucumber, green onions, and Bang Bang sauce. - 11

Overhead view of a salmon bowl filled with rice, avocado, shredded carrots, sliced cucumber, green onions, and Bang Bang sauce. - 12

Salmon Bowls

Barbacoa Burrito Bowls

TACO SALAD is one of my favorite weeknight meals. It's simple, fresh, and easy to make. Taco Bowls are like a healthy version of my favorite Mexican dishes! We just love these CREAMY TACO SALAD BOWLS any night of the week. With a homemade tortilla bowl and loaded with all the toppings, this recipe can't be beat. - 15

Taco Salad Bowl

Buddha Bowl

Burger Bowls