Fully Loaded Burger Bowl with “Special Sauce” Recipe

Introduction

This Fully Loaded Burger Bowl with “Special Sauce” is a fresh, flavorful twist on a classic burger without the bun. It’s packed with seasoned ground beef, creamy guacamole, tangy pickles, and smoky bacon, all layered over crisp romaine lettuce for a satisfying low-carb meal.

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 for 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 (about half a lemon)
• ½ teaspoon salt (more or less to taste)
• 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, or grape tomatoes)
• ½ cup pickle chips (plus more to taste)
• 8-10 slices thick-cut bacon (cooked and 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. Set aside.
2. Step 2: Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add avocado oil and swirl to coat the pan. When oil is hot, add the ground beef mixture. Cook, stirring frequently, until the beef is browned and crumbled.
3. Step 3: While the beef cooks, prepare the special sauce by whisking together mayonnaise, ketchup, maple syrup, dill pickle relish, minced onion, crushed red pepper flakes, and salt in a separate bowl. Adjust seasoning to taste and set aside.
4. Step 4: In another bowl, mash avocados with lemon juice and salt until smooth. Set aside.
5. Step 5: When ground beef is done, transfer it to a bowl and set aside. Return skillet to medium heat and add sliced red onions in a single layer. Cook until lightly charred on one side, then flip and char the other side. Repeat until all onions are cooked, then set aside.
6. Step 6: Assemble the burger bowls by dividing chopped romaine lettuce evenly among four bowls. Top each with an equal portion of cooked ground beef.
7. Step 7: Arrange cherry tomatoes, pickle chips, bacon, sautéed red onions, and guacamole around the beef. Drizzle generously with the special sauce.
8. Step 8: Serve immediately with extra special sauce on the side if desired.

Tips & Variations

• To make this recipe Whole30 compliant, substitute the ketchup with coconut aminos and ensure the mayonnaise is compliant or homemade.
• For extra heat, add more crushed red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce to the special sauce.
• Swap the bacon for turkey bacon or omit it for a vegetarian version, adding sautéed mushrooms or grilled portobello instead.

Storage

Store leftover components separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Guacamole may brown over time but can be refreshed with a squeeze of lemon juice and a quick stir. Reheat the ground beef and sautéed onions in a skillet over medium heat until warmed through. Assemble bowls fresh to keep lettuce crisp.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use ground turkey instead of beef?

Yes, ground turkey works well as a leaner alternative. Cook it similarly, breaking it up and seasoning as instructed.

Is this recipe suitable for meal prep?

Absolutely. Prepare all components in advance and store them separately. Assemble the bowls just before eating to keep everything fresh and crisp.

Fully Loaded Burger Bowl with “Special Sauce” Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.9 from 117 reviews

This Fully Loaded Burger Bowl with Special Sauce offers a delicious low-carb alternative to traditional burgers. Packed with seasoned ground beef, creamy guacamole, sautéed onions, crispy bacon, and fresh veggies, all drizzled with a tangy, slightly sweet special sauce. Perfect as a hearty, flavorful meal served in a bowl with romaine lettuce instead of a bun.

• Author: Mia
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Low Calorie

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

For the Burgers

• 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 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)

For the 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)

Additional Bowl Ingredients

• 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)
• ½ cup pickle chips (plus more to taste)
• 8–10 slices thick-cut bacon (cooked, crumbled)

Instructions

1. Prepare the Ground Beef: In a medium mixing bowl, combine 1 pound lean ground beef with 4 teaspoons garlic powder and ½ teaspoon salt. Mix thoroughly using your hands or a wooden spoon until well blended, then set aside.
2. Cook the Ground Beef: Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add 1 teaspoon avocado oil and swirl to coat the pan evenly. Once the oil is hot and shimmering, add the ground beef mixture. Cook, stirring frequently, until the beef is browned and crumbled.
3. Make the Special Sauce: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together ½ cup mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons ketchup, 2 teaspoons pure maple syrup, 1 tablespoon dill pickle relish, 2 teaspoons dried minced onion, a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes, and a pinch of salt. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed, then set aside.
4. Prepare the Guacamole: In a small bowl, mash 2 peeled and pitted avocados with ½ tablespoon fresh lemon juice and ½ teaspoon salt using a fork until smooth but slightly chunky. Set aside.
5. Sauté the Red Onions: After the beef is fully cooked, 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 (work in batches if needed). Cook until lightly charred on one side, then flip and char the other side. Transfer the sautéed onions to another bowl. Repeat for remaining onions.
6. Assemble the Burger Bowls: Evenly divide roughly 8-9 cups chopped romaine lettuce into serving bowls. Place a portion of ground beef in the center of each bowl on top of the lettuce. Arrange cherry tomatoes, pickle chips, crumbled bacon, sautéed red onions, and guacamole around the beef.
7. Serve: Drizzle the prepared special sauce generously over each bowl. Serve immediately with additional sauce on the side if desired.

Notes

• You can substitute refined coconut oil for avocado oil when cooking the beef.
• The special sauce’s sweetness can be adjusted using maple syrup; coconut aminos is a good Whole30-compliant alternative.
• Use crispy thick-cut bacon for best texture contrast.
• Work in batches when sautéing onions to ensure even charring without overcrowding the pan.
• This bowl is low-carb and bunless, making it ideal for keto or low-carb diets.

Keywords: burger bowl, low carb burger, special sauce, guacamole, sautéed onions, bacon, keto friendly, healthy burger alternative