Deconstructed Burger Salad Bowl

This deconstructed burger salad bowl recipe is a delicious, nutritious spin on your favorite loaded burger. This fresh and flavorful bowl is super easy to make and pairs perfectly with my sweet onion dijon vinaigrette.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

As a Registered Dietitian, I’m always searching for quick, simple, nutritious balanced meal options. These healthy hamburger bowls easily check those boxes.

This is one of my favorite meals because they’re so easy to throw together, you can easily pack in a ton of nutritious ingredients, and they’re versatile.

The limit for variations to this recipe does not exist. In the mood for a bacon cheeseburger version? Just add some bacon! Not a huge fan of tomatoes but you love peppers? An easy swap! You can change up the toppings and dressings of these healthy burger bowls and serve this over and over again.

I promise- these are going to be a new favorite that your whole family will love. They’re a great way to meet that burger craving while prioritizing a super filling and nutritious meal.

Ingredients

• Lean ground beef: I like making this recipe with 90% lean ground meat to keep the saturated fat content lower.
• Lettuce: Mixed baby greens is my favorite, but you can use any lettuce that you enjoy like spinach, romaine, iceberg or arugula.
• Tomatoes: Halved cherry tomatoes add a nice sweetness to these burger bowls.
• Red onion: Chop up some red onion or sweet Vidalia onion!
• Avocado: Slice avocado or use the pre-packaged kind.
• Pickles: Use whatever pickles you like on a burger. I love traditional dill pickles, but you can use sweet and sour pickles too. Out of pickles? You can use dill relish instead!
• Frozen French fries: These Alexia fries are my favorite, but you can use any brand you like. You can also make your own fries or even add roasted potato wedges instead. Sweet potato fries work too!
• Sharp cheddar cheese: Is a burger complete without cheese? I don’t think so! Use whatever cheese you enjoy- cheddar is my favorite for burgers.
• Spices: This recipe keeps the seasoning super simple- granulated garlic (or garlic powder), onion powder, salt and pepper.
• Dressing: My sweet onion dijon vinaigrette is the perfect dressing for these burger bowls, but you can use any kind that you like! Ranch, blue cheese or thousand island dressing are all great options.

How to Make a Burger Salad Bowl

1. In a medium frying pan, heat a tablespoon of oil on medium heat. Add your ground beef and season with salt, pepper, garlic and onion powder. Cook ground meat on medium heat for about 7-10 minutes until completely brown and cooked through.
2. Preheat air fryer or oven and prepare French fries according to package instructions.
3. In a large salad bowl, assemble your burger salad bowl. Layer lettuce, tomatoes, red onion, avocado, pickles, cooked ground beef, french fries and cheese in the bowl.
4. Top with sweet onion dijon vinaigrette or a dressing of your choosing.

Deconstructed Burger Bowl Variations

There are SO many ways to enjoy these loaded burger bowls. Here are just a few ideas for your next easy dinner meal prep.

• Vegan burger bowl: Replace the ground beef with plant-based crumbles or tofu. Swap the cheese for a plant-based cheese or omit. Or, use veggie burgers, black bean burgers or lentil burgers!
• Bacon cheeseburger salad bowl: Add chopped crispy bacon or bacon crumbles.
• Chicken ranch burger bowl: Use ground chicken or chicken breast instead of ground beef and add ranch dressing.
• Buffalo burger bowl: Use ground turkey or ground chicken, omit the pickles, and top with buffalo sauce. Use blue cheese or ranch dressing.
• Make it a grain bowl: Swap the French fries for a grain like quinoa or rice.
• Serve with roasted potatoes or sweet potatoes instead of fries.
• Keep it low carb: If you’re following a low-carbohydrate diet, you can easily omit this fries in this recipe and it will be just as delicious. (Just remember, you don’t have to cut out carbs to be healthy!)
• Add sautéed mushrooms and onions for a totally different flavor profile.
• Use any protein: If you’re not a ground beef fan you can easily use any protein that you enjoy. Ideas: ground chicken or turkey, canned tuna, salmon, edamame, tofu, or plant-based crumbles.
• Change up the cheese: Use feta, blue cheese crumbles, mozzarella, Monterey Jack, or provolone to change up the flavor.
• Use burger patties instead of ground meat. Just cook a burger patty as you normally would, and then chop into bite-sized pieces. You can use beef or turkey burgers!
• Swap your fries for onion rings!

More Balanced Recipes You’ll Love:

Italian Grinder Salad

Inside Out Egg Roll

Easy Dump and Bake Meatball Casserole

Ground Turkey Alfredo

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