Fully Loaded Burger Bowl with Special Sauce Recipe

Introduction

This Fully Loaded Burger Bowl brings all the flavors of a classic burger without the bun. Featuring seasoned ground beef, creamy guacamole, crispy bacon, and a tangy special sauce, it’s a satisfying low-carb meal perfect for any day.

Ingredients

• 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)
• ½ cup mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons ketchup
• 2 teaspoons pure maple syrup (or 1 tablespoon coconut aminos if on Whole30)
• 1 tablespoon dill pickle relish
• 2 teaspoons dried minced onion
• 1 pinch crushed red pepper flakes (more or less to taste)
• 1 pinch salt (more or less to taste)
• 2 medium avocados (pit removed, peeled)
• ½ tablespoon fresh lemon juice (juice from approximately half of 1 lemon)
• ½ teaspoon salt (more or less to taste)
• 1 cup thinly sliced red onion
• 2 small heads romaine lettuce (leaves only, roughly chopped; approximately 8-9 cups total)
• 1 ½ cups cherry tomatoes (halved; or grape tomatoes, halved)
• ½ cup pickle chips (plus more to taste)
• 8-10 slices thick-cut bacon (cooked, crumbled)

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a medium mixing bowl, combine ground beef, garlic powder, and salt. Mix well using your hands or a wooden spoon until fully combined. Set aside.
2. Step 2: Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add avocado oil and swirl to coat the pan. When the oil is hot and shimmering, add the ground beef mixture. Cook, stirring frequently, until browned and crumbled.
3. Step 3: While the beef cooks, prepare the special sauce. In a separate bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, ketchup, maple syrup, dill pickle relish, dried minced onion, red pepper flakes, and a pinch of salt. Adjust seasoning to taste and set aside.
4. Step 4: For the guacamole, mash avocados with lemon juice and salt in a small bowl until smooth. Set aside.
5. Step 5: Once the beef is cooked, transfer to a bowl or plate and set aside. Return skillet to medium heat and cook sliced red onions in batches until lightly charred on both sides. Set onions aside.
6. Step 6: To assemble the bowls, divide chopped romaine lettuce among four serving bowls. Top each with equal portions of cooked beef, cherry tomatoes, pickle chips, crumbled bacon, sautéed onions, and guacamole.
7. Step 7: Drizzle generous amounts of the special sauce over each bowl. Serve immediately with extra sauce on the side if desired.

Tips & Variations

• Use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef for a leaner option.
• Add shredded cheddar or pepper jack cheese for extra richness.
• Swap the maple syrup for coconut aminos to keep it Whole30 compliant.
• For a spicier kick, increase the crushed red pepper flakes in the special sauce.
• Try adding sliced jalapeños or hot sauce for added heat.

Storage

Store any leftover components separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Keep the guacamole covered tightly with plastic wrap to prevent browning. Reheat the cooked ground beef and sautéed onions gently in a skillet or microwave before serving. Assemble the bowls fresh to keep the lettuce crisp.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this recipe vegetarian?

Yes, you can substitute the ground beef with plant-based crumbles or cooked lentils for a vegetarian version.

Is the special sauce gluten-free?

Yes, all the ingredients listed are naturally gluten-free, but always check labels on store-bought items like ketchup and mayonnaise to be sure.

Fully Loaded Burger Bowl with Special Sauce Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.8 from 78 reviews

This Fully Loaded Burger Bowl is a keto- and Whole30-friendly meal that captures all the flavors of a classic burger without the bun. Ground beef seasoned with garlic powder and salt is cooked and crumbled, then paired with charred red onions, crispy bacon, avocado guacamole, fresh tomatoes, crunchy pickles, and a tangy special sauce. Served over a bed of romaine lettuce, this bowl delivers a satisfying, nutritious, and low-carb twist on your favorite burger.

• Author: Grace
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Main Dish
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Low Carb

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Burger and Beef Mixture

• 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)

Special Sauce

• ½ cup mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons ketchup
• 2 teaspoons pure maple syrup (or 1 tablespoon coconut aminos if on Whole30)
• 1 tablespoon dill pickle relish
• 2 teaspoons dried minced onion
• 1 pinch crushed red pepper flakes (more or less to taste)
• 1 pinch salt (more or less to taste)

Guacamole

• 2 medium avocados (pit removed, peeled)
• ½ tablespoon fresh lemon juice (juice from approximately half of 1 lemon)
• ½ teaspoon salt (more or less to taste)

Vegetables and Toppings

• 1 cup thinly sliced red onion
• 2 small heads romaine lettuce (leaves only, roughly chopped; approximately 8–9 cups total)
• 1 ½ cups cherry tomatoes (halved; or grape tomatoes, halved)
• ½ cup pickle chips (plus more to taste)
• 8–10 slices thick-cut bacon (cooked, crumbled)

Instructions

1. Mix the beef: In a medium mixing bowl, combine 1 pound lean ground beef with 4 teaspoons garlic powder and ½ teaspoon salt. Use your hands or a wooden spoon to mix until fully combined. Set aside.
2. Heat the skillet: Place a large skillet over medium heat. Add 1 teaspoon avocado oil when the pan is warm, swirling to coat. Heat until oil is hot and shimmering.
3. Cook the beef: Add the ground beef mixture to the hot skillet. Stir frequently, cooking the beef until it is browned and fully crumbled. As the beef cooks, proceed with preparing the guacamole and special sauce.
4. Prepare the special sauce: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together ½ cup mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons ketchup, 2 teaspoons pure maple syrup (or coconut aminos for 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.
5. Make the guacamole: In a small bowl, mash 2 peeled and pitted avocados with ½ tablespoon fresh lemon juice and ½ teaspoon salt until smooth or your desired consistency. Set aside.
6. Sauté the red onions: Once the beef is cooked, transfer it to a bowl and set aside. Return the skillet to medium heat. Add 1 cup thinly sliced red onions in a single layer (work in batches to avoid overcrowding). Cook until the bottom is lightly charred, then flip and char the other side. Transfer onions to a bowl, repeating until all onions are cooked.
7. Assemble the bowls: Divide roughly chopped romaine lettuce from 2 small heads evenly between 4 serving bowls. Top each with a quarter of the cooked ground beef.
8. Add toppings: Arrange halved cherry tomatoes, pickle chips, crumbled bacon, sautéed red onions, and prepared guacamole around the beef in each bowl.
9. Finish with sauce: Drizzle plenty of the special sauce over each bowl. Serve immediately, offering extra sauce on the side if desired.

Notes

• The mayonnaise in the special sauce can be swapped for a Whole30-compliant mayo if following the Whole30 program.
• For Whole30 or lower sugar version, replace pure maple syrup with 1 tablespoon coconut aminos.
• Adjust salt and crushed red pepper flakes throughout the recipe to suit your taste.
• Bacon should be thick-cut and cooked to your preferred crispiness before crumbling.
• This recipe is ideal for those avoiding bread/gluten and looking for a low-carb burger alternative.

Keywords: burger bowl, loaded burger, low carb burger, guacamole, special sauce, keto burger bowl, Whole30 burger bowl, no bun burger, healthy burger