Introduction
It started as a way to satisfy a burger craving without the heavy bun. Now, burger bowls have taken over my weeknight dinner routine. Crispy potatoes replace fries. Lettuce brings crunch. The spiced beef and creamy burger sauce bring all the classic flavor, just in a lighter, bowl-friendly form. It’s fast, easy, and totally customizable depending on what you have in the fridge. Whether you’re making it dairy-free, piling on pickles, or doubling the sauce, this dish is flexible enough for any craving and filling enough to stand alone.
Building the Perfect Burger Bowl
What do you put in a burger bowl?
Start with a solid base. Instead of buns, golden roasted potatoes create the perfect foundation. Top those with crisp shredded lettuce, juicy seasoned ground beef, slices of cheese, and tangy pickles. The textures all come together in one loaded bowl. If you’re feeling bold, try topping it with chopped tomatoes, red onions, or even jalapeños.
The key is balance. You want a bit of crunch, something creamy, something juicy, and lots of flavor. It’s a full burger experience without any of the bun.
How it compares to takeout
Fast food bowls often fall short with soggy toppings or underseasoned meat. This version gives you control. The homemade spice mix builds flavor without being too salty. You get warm, crispy potatoes instead of limp fries. And the sauce? That brings it all together with tang and spice.
Plus, this bowl feels just as indulgent but skips the greasiness that comes with fast food. It’s quick enough for a weeknight but feels like a step up.
Burger Bowls
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Mix together the spice mix ingredients in a small bowl and set aside.
- Wash and cut the potatoes into chips, then pat them dry with paper towels. Place the chips in a large mixing bowl with 1 tablespoon of olive oil and sprinkle in half of the spice mix. Mix well to ensure the potatoes are thoroughly coated.
- Arrange the potatoes on a baking tray and cook in a preheated oven at 200°C (390°F) for 30–40 minutes, or in the air fryer for about 20 minutes, until golden and crispy.
- While the potatoes are cooking, heat the remaining olive oil in a frying pan over high heat. Add the beef mince, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon. Once browned, sprinkle in the remaining spice mix and continue cooking until the meat is darkened and any excess moisture has evaporated.
- In a small bowl, combine the burger sauce ingredients. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
- Once the potatoes are ready, divide them among your bowls. Fill the remaining space in each bowl with shredded lettuce, then add the cooked beef mince, cheese, and pickles. Drizzle the burger sauce over the top and serve.
Notes
How to Cook the Components for Burger Bowl Success
Crispy potatoes every time
Potatoes are the anchor of this dish. To get them crispy, slice them into fries or thick chips, then pat them dry. Toss with olive oil and half of the spice mix, making sure each piece is evenly coated. Bake in the oven at 200°C (390°F) for 30 to 40 minutes or use an air fryer for about 20 minutes. The goal is a golden crust with a soft interior.
Don’t overcrowd the tray. Spread the pieces out to avoid steaming. You’ll get that crispy edge that holds up against juicy toppings.
Flavorful beef makes the difference
While the potatoes bake, cook the ground beef in a hot pan with the rest of the olive oil. Break it up as it browns. Once the meat starts to color, add the remaining spice mix and stir well. Let it cook until the moisture evaporates and the beef gets a bit crispy around the edges.
This spice mix isn’t just background flavor. The paprika and garlic stand out, while oregano adds an earthy note. No bland beef here—every bite adds to the overall experience of the bowl.
Sauces, Toppings, and Custom Options for Burger Bowls
What’s a good sauce for burger bowls?
A good burger bowl needs a great sauce. This homemade version combines mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, pickle juice, garlic powder, and smoked paprika. It’s creamy, tangy, and adds a bit of heat. You can stir it together in under a minute. Taste and tweak it as you go. Like it spicier? Add hot sauce. Want it sweeter? Add more ketchup.
This sauce ties all the components together. It drizzles perfectly over the beef, soaks into the potatoes, and adds a zesty contrast to the cheese and pickles.
If you’re short on time, store-bought burger sauce or chipotle mayo works fine too. But homemade gives you full control over flavor and ingredients.
Customize it your way
Burger bowls are endlessly customizable. Go dairy-free with vegan cheese or skip cheese entirely. Use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef. For a low-carb version, swap the potatoes for cauliflower or keep it all on lettuce.
Other tasty add-ins include chopped red onion, avocado slices, cherry tomatoes, or jalapeños. Want more crunch? Add crumbled bacon or crispy fried onions on top.
The beauty of burger bowls is that you don’t need to follow strict rules. Build them how you like, mix up the ingredients, and let the flavors speak for themselves.
Meal Prep, Storage, and Reheating Tips for Burger Bowls
Make-ahead friendly
Burger bowls are ideal for meal prep. You can cook all the components ahead of time and assemble fresh when ready to eat. Roast the potatoes, brown the beef, and mix the sauce. Store each part separately in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 4 days.
When it’s time to serve, reheat the beef and potatoes in a skillet or air fryer to revive the crisp texture. Then assemble your bowl with fresh lettuce, cheese, pickles, and sauce.
You can also portion everything into containers ahead of time if you plan to take them for lunch. Just keep the sauce in a small side container to add right before eating.
Best ways to reheat
Avoid the microwave if possible—it softens the potatoes and makes the meat chewy. Instead, reheat potatoes and beef in a skillet over medium heat with a touch of olive oil. Or pop them into an air fryer for 3 to 5 minutes at 375°F until warm and crispy again.
If frozen, thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating. The ingredients hold up surprisingly well, especially if you keep the fresh parts like lettuce and sauce separate until serving.
Burger bowls are easy to prep, easy to reheat, and always satisfying. They’re a great way to enjoy all the flavor of a burger without needing a grill or bun.
FAQs about Burger Bowls
What do you put in a burger bowl?
A burger bowl typically includes roasted potatoes or lettuce as a base, cooked seasoned ground beef, cheese, pickles, and a sauce like burger sauce or chipotle mayo. You can also add toppings like tomatoes, red onion, avocado, bacon, and grilled veggies for extra flavor and crunch.
What’s a good sauce for burger bowls?
A great sauce is a homemade blend of mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, pickle juice, garlic powder, and smoked paprika. Some recipes add chopped pickles or relish for extra tang. It brings creamy, tangy, and smoky flavors that perfectly complement the beef and veggies.
What is a burger bowl at Five Guys?
At Five Guys, a burger bowl is essentially a bunless burger served in a bowl with your choice of classic toppings and condiments. It’s a customizable low-carb option that delivers all the flavor of a burger without the bun.
What is Gordon Ramsay’s burger recipe?
Gordon Ramsay’s burger typically uses a blend of chuck and brisket, seasoned simply with salt and pepper and cooked on a hot grill or pan. The burger is layered with cheese, lettuce, tomato, and sauce on a toasted bun. For burger bowls, you can use his beef seasoning ideas to add flavor to the ground beef in your bowl.
Conclusion
Burger bowls take everything you love about burgers and turn them into a hearty, build-your-own bowl that’s perfect for any meal. With seasoned beef, crispy potatoes, crunchy lettuce, tangy pickles, and rich sauce, each bite delivers all the flavor without the bun. It’s quick to make, easy to prep ahead, and endlessly flexible. Whether you’re sticking to classic toppings or going all out with your favorite mix-ins, this is one dish that fits every craving.