Fully Loaded Burger Bowl with “Special Sauce”

All your favorite burger toppings—crisp lettuce, juicy beef, smoky bacon, tangy pickles, creamy guac, and a craveable “special sauce”—come together in this easy, flavor-packed Fully Loaded Burger Bowl. It’s everything you love about a classic burger, without the bun! This low-carb alternative is perfect for meal prep, weeknight dinners, or anytime you’re craving comfort food without the carb crash.

Ingredients

For the Ground Beef

1 pound lean ground beef
4 teaspoons garlic powder
½ teaspoon salt (more or less to taste)
1 teaspoon avocado oil (or melted refined coconut oil)

For the “Special Sauce”

½ cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons ketchup
2 teaspoons pure maple syrup (or 1 tablespoon coconut aminos for Whole30)
1 tablespoon dill pickle relish
2 teaspoons dried minced onion
1 pinch crushed red pepper flakes
1 pinch salt

For the Guacamole

2 medium avocados (pit removed, peeled)
½ tablespoon fresh lemon juice (juice from approximately half a lemon)
½ teaspoon salt (to taste)

For the Bowl Assembly

2 small heads romaine lettuce (roughly chopped, ~8–9 cups)
1 cup thinly sliced red onion
1½ cups cherry tomatoes, halved
½ cup pickle chips (plus more to taste)
8–10 slices thick-cut bacon (cooked and crumbled)

Instructions

Make the Special Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, ketchup, maple syrup (or coconut aminos), dill pickle relish, minced onion, red pepper flakes, and a pinch of salt. Refrigerate until ready to use to let the flavors meld.
Prepare the Guacamole: In a medium bowl, mash the avocados with the lemon juice and salt. Taste and adjust as needed. Cover and set aside.
Cook the Ground Beef: Heat avocado oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef, garlic powder, and salt. Cook until browned and no longer pink, breaking it up with a spatula as it cooks (about 7–8 minutes). Drain any excess grease if needed.
Assemble the Bowls: Start with a generous layer of romaine lettuce in each bowl. Top with a scoop of cooked ground beef, followed by guacamole, sliced red onion, cherry tomatoes, pickle chips, and crumbled bacon.
Finish with Sauce: Drizzle each bowl with the special sauce just before serving. Garnish with extra pickles or fresh herbs if desired.

Serving Suggestions

Top with a soft-boiled or fried egg for added protein.
Swap bacon for turkey bacon or omit for a lighter version.
Try with grilled chicken or ground turkey instead of beef.
Add shredded cheddar or dairy-free cheese for extra indulgence.

Make It Your Way

Whole30: Use Whole30-compliant mayo, omit ketchup (or use compliant brand), and replace maple syrup with coconut aminos.
Keto: Skip the tomatoes or use fewer to reduce carbs further.
Low-FODMAP: Use garlic-infused oil and omit onions or use green onions.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

Calories: 875 kcal
Carbohydrates: 25 g
Protein: 36 g
Fat: 71 g
Saturated Fat: 19 g
Cholesterol: 133 mg
Sodium: 1596 mg
Fiber: 8 g
Sugar: 10 g

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Big burger flavor: All the savory, smoky, creamy elements of your favorite burger in one bowl.
Quick & easy: Comes together in under 40 minutes with mostly pantry staples.
Meal-prep friendly: Pre-chop veggies and prep the sauce and beef ahead of time.
Customizable: Great for picky eaters, dietary needs, and personal flavor twists.

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Tips for Success

Use a cast iron skillet for best beef flavor and texture.
Make the sauce ahead—it gets better with time.
Double the sauce! You’ll want it for dipping veggies or topping grilled meats later in the week.
Layer with hot beef and cold toppings for contrast and texture.

Pin It for Later

Love this burger bowl recipe? Pin it to your healthy dinners or keto board on Pinterest and save it for your next easy weeknight meal!

With bold flavors, easy prep, and ultimate customization, this Fully Loaded Burger Bowl is proof that lettuce doesn’t have to be boring. Ditch the bun and dig in—you won’t miss it.