Description

This Fully Loaded Burger Bowl with Special Sauce is a delicious and satisfying meal that combines seasoned ground beef, creamy guacamole, tangy pickles, crispy bacon, sautéed red onions, and fresh veggies over a bed of romaine lettuce. Finished with a flavorful homemade special sauce, this recipe is perfect for a low-carb, gluten-free dinner that’s easy to prepare and bursting with classic burger flavors.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Burgers

1 pound lean ground beef
4 teaspoons garlic powder
½ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon avocado oil

For the Special Sauce

½ cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons ketchup
2 teaspoons pure maple syrup
1 tablespoon dill pickle relish
2 teaspoons dried minced onion
1 pinch crushed red pepper flakes
1 pinch salt

For the Quick Guacamole

2 medium avocados, pit removed and peeled
½ tablespoon fresh lemon juice
½ teaspoon salt

For the Bowls (All Optional)

1 cup thinly sliced red onion
2 small heads romaine lettuce leaves only, roughly chopped (about 8-9 cups)
1 ½ cups cherry tomatoes, halved
½ cup pickle chips
8-10 slices thick-cut bacon, cooked and crumbled

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Instructions

Prepare Burger Mixture: In a medium mixing bowl, combine 1 pound lean ground beef, 4 teaspoons garlic powder, and ½ teaspoon salt. Mix together thoroughly using your hands or a wooden spoon and set aside.
Cook Ground Beef: Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add 1 teaspoon avocado oil. Once the oil is hot and shimmery, add the ground beef mixture and cook, stirring frequently, until the beef is browned and crumbled.
Make Special Sauce: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together ½ cup mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons ketchup, 2 teaspoons pure maple syrup (or coconut aminos if on Whole30), 1 tablespoon dill pickle relish, 2 teaspoons dried minced onion, a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes, and a pinch of salt. Adjust seasoning to taste and set aside.
Prepare Guacamole: In a small bowl, mash 2 medium avocados with ½ tablespoon fresh lemon juice and ½ teaspoon salt using a fork until smooth or your preferred consistency. Set aside.
Sauté Red Onions: After cooking the ground beef, transfer it to a bowl and set aside. Return the skillet to medium heat and add 1 cup thinly sliced red onions in a single layer. Cook until charred on one side, then flip to char the other side. Work in batches if necessary. Set the sautéed onions aside.
Assemble Burger Bowls: Divide the chopped romaine lettuce evenly among 4 serving bowls. Place an equal portion of the cooked ground beef in the center of each bowl atop the lettuce. Surround with cherry tomatoes, pickle chips, crumbled bacon, sautéed red onions, and guacamole.
Add Special Sauce and Serve: Drizzle plenty of the prepared special sauce over each bowl. Serve immediately with extra sauce on the side if desired.

Notes

If following Whole30, replace the maple syrup in the special sauce with 1 tablespoon coconut aminos.
If not on Whole30, use maple syrup instead of coconut aminos for sweetness in the special sauce.
For a Tex-Mex twist, replace the lemon juice in the guacamole with lime juice.
Adjust salt and seasonings in all components to taste as desired.
Using thick-cut bacon adds a nice smoky crunch, but you can substitute with turkey bacon or omit for a lighter option.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 bowl
Calories: 550 kcal
Sugar: 6 g
Sodium: 800 mg
Fat: 40 g
Saturated Fat: 10 g
Unsaturated Fat: 25 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 12 g
Fiber: 5 g
Protein: 35 g
Cholesterol: 90 mg