Burger Salad Bowls

If you love a good burger, but you also want a salad (or you just can’t stand the thought of standing over a hot grill), these burger salad bowls are for you!

These bowls became a quick family favorite- crunchy lettuce, topped with garlicky ground beef and all your favorite burger toppings like pickles, onion and tomatoes (we love bacon, but you can add cheddar cheese for a ‘big mac’ feel)- we also often add fries to the top (or the side) for fun, and a tangy big mac-style burger sauce that is SO good drizzled over top. They all come together for an easy weeknight family dinner that cooks up in no time!

Burger Salad Bowls
Serves 4

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp neutral oil, as needed
• 1 lb ground beef (turkey or pork works here, too)
• 1/2 tsp sea salt (more as desired)
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp onion powder
• dash cracked black pepper

*I also love to add a pinch of smoked paprika for that smoky feel

For bowls: 

• 4 cups finely shredded romaine lettuce
• 1 cup sliced grape or cherry tomatoes
• 1 cup diced or sliced red onion
• crumbled cooked bacon (optional)
• burger sauce (see below)
• pickles 
• french fries (optional- we use frozen!)

optional additions: 

• avocado 
• shredded cheese

Big Mac-style Burger Sauce: 

• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 2 tbsp ketchup
• 2 tbsp chopped pickles (or pickle relish- will be sweeter)
• 1 tbsp dijon mustard
• 1 tsp apple cider vinegar 
• 1/4 tsp onion powder
• 1/4 tsp garlic powder
• 1/4 tsp paprika 

Instructions:

1. To cook beef: Heat oil to medium in a large saute pan. Add 1 lb meat of choice and season.
2. Using spatula to break up meat, cook until meat is just cooked through. Season to taste and cool slightly before adding to bowl.
3. To make sauce: whisk all sauce ingredients in a small bowl.
4. To assemble bowls: If making, prepare bacon, let cool before crumbling. If using, cook fries in same oven (cook according to package directions).
5. While bacon is cooking, prepare ground beef.
6. While beef is cooking, prepare vegetables and sauce.
7. To serve, layer shredded romaine with beef, tomatoes, red onion, crumbled bacon and pickles (and/or any additional toppings you desire!). Drizzle with big mac sauce and serve with fries!

Chef’s Tips:

Classic big mac sauce is a tad sweeter than this sauce (though the ketchup, arguably not in the classic sauce but goes great in this dressing, adds some sweetness)- use relish in place of pickles or add a drizzle of honey or a pinch of sugar for more sweetness as desired.

Love this recipe? You’ll love the rest of the bowls in Balance in a Bowl!

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