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These viral burger bowls are loaded with crispy smash burger beef, fresh lettuce, juicy tomatoes, cheese, pickles, salty waffle fries and our secret burger sauce. They’re an easy 30-minute dinner the whole family can build exactly how they like it.
But here’s what makes ours different: don’t crumble the beef! We’re smashing it into a screaming-hot skillet first so you get those dark, caramelized burger edges before breaking it into chunks. Trust me, it makes ALL the difference!
QUICK LOOK
- Prep Time: About 10 minutes
- Cook Time: About 20 minutes
- Servings: 4
- Equipment: A cast-iron skillet + burger press work best
- Best For: Easy weeknight dinners and build-your-own family dinners
- Our Favorite Fries: Alexia waffle fries
- Make It Your Own: Add or skip any burger toppings you love
Why You’ll Love These Burger Bowls
- That smash burger crust! Instead of crumbling the beef from the beginning, we smash it against a hot skillet for those crispy, caramelized edges.
- Burger + fries in every bowl. Crispy waffle fries make these so much more satisfying than your average burger salad.
- That sauce! Our burger sauce ties the beef, veggies and fries together and makes the whole thing taste like a loaded cheeseburger.
- Everyone builds their own. Cheese, no cheese, extra onions, hold the pickles (that’s me!)—everyone gets exactly what they want.
- Fast enough for a weeknight. Everything comes together in about 30 minutes.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Ground Beef: I use 1 pound, but a blend of ground beef and chuck or a good burger blend is my favorite for flavor and browning.
- Burger Seasoning: Salt and pepper work, but a good burger seasoning adds even more flavor.
- Romaine Lettuce: Crisp and sturdy enough to hold up under the warm beef.
- Grape Tomatoes: Sweet and flavorful without making the bowl watery.
- Red Onion: Adds a sharp, fresh bite.
- Cheese: Optional, but SO good melted right into the beef.
- Pickles: If you must. 😂
- Waffle Fries: Alexia waffle fries are my favorite—the crispy edges grab all that sauce.
- Burger Sauce: The finishing touch that brings everything together!
How to Make Burger Bowls
- Cook the fries. Prepare the waffle fries according to the package directions. An air fryer is perfect for getting them extra crispy.
- Prep the toppings. Chop the romaine, halve the tomatoes, slice the onion and get the remaining toppings ready.
- Portion the beef. Divide 1 pound of ground beef into four roughly 1/4-pound portions. Don’t overwork or pack the meat.
- Smash it. Place a portion in a screaming-hot cast-iron skillet. Put a piece of parchment over the beef and press it firmly with a cast-iron burger press.
- Let it brown. Leave the beef alone until the bottom develops a deep brown, caramelized crust.
- Flip and brown again. Flip and let the second side get beautifully browned.
- Now break it up. Once both sides have developed that crust, use a spatula to break the beef into bite-size chunks.
- Add the cheese. Sprinkle cheese over the beef and let some of it hit the hot skillet. Those crispy, caramelized cheese bits are GOLD.
- Build the bowls. Layer romaine, tomatoes, onions, pickles and crispy waffle fries into bowls. Add the cheesy smash burger beef and drizzle with burger sauce.
Tips for the Best Burger Bowls
- Get the skillet HOT. You want the beef to sizzle immediately so it browns rather than steams.
- Don’t use super-lean beef. A little fat helps create that juicy burger flavor and crispy crust.
- Use parchment with your burger press. It keeps the beef from sticking to the press and makes smashing much easier.
- Don’t overcrowd the skillet. Cook in batches if necessary. Crowding traps steam and works against that crispy crust.
- Keep the fries crispy. Add them right before serving rather than letting them sit underneath warm toppings.
- Add cheese in the skillet. Letting a little cheese touch the hot pan creates delicious crispy cheese edges.
Burger Bowl Topping Ideas
The best part about burger bowls is making them exactly how you like your burgers.
Try:
- Avocado
- Crispy bacon
- Jalapeños
- Sautéed mushrooms
- Caramelized onions
- Pepper jack or cheddar cheese
- Banana peppers
- Crispy onions
- Fried egg
- BBQ sauce or hot sauce
For an easy family dinner, put everything out separately and let everyone build their own bowl.
Troubleshooting Burger Bowls
Make sure your skillet is very hot and don’t overcrowd it. The beef should sizzle as soon as it hits the pan; otherwise it will steam instead of developing those crispy brown edges.
Place a small square of parchment paper between the meat and the press before smashing.
Make sure the romaine is completely dry after washing. We also prefer grape tomatoes because they release less liquid than larger chopped tomatoes.
Are Burger Bowls Low Carb?
They certainly can be. Skip the fries or replace them with another low-carb topping and you’ll have all those classic cheeseburger flavors without the bun.
Our version includes waffle fries because we’re going for the full burger-and-fries experience in a bowl, but they’re completely optional.
Make Ahead and Storing Leftovers
Burger bowls are great for meal prep as long as you store everything separately. Refrigerate the cooked beef for 3-4 days and keep the lettuce, vegetables and sauce in separate containers.
Reheat just the beef, then assemble with the cold toppings. For the best texture, cook the fries fresh right before serving.
These burger bowls take everything we love about a cheeseburger and fries and pile it into one ridiculously good bowl. The crispy smash burger beef, fresh toppings, salty waffle fries, melty cheese and creamy burger sauce make this one of those easy dinners that doesn’t feel like you’re settling for the quick option.
More Bowls to Try
Watch This Video Tutorial
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