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High Protein Cheeseburger Bowls - A Simple, Satisfying Meal

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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb (450 g) lean ground beef (90–96% lean; or use ground turkey or chicken)
  • 1 tsp avocado or olive oil (optional, for sautéing)
  • 1 small yellow onion, finely diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp kosher salt, plus more to taste
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika (or regular paprika)
  • 1 tsp mustard powder (or 1 tsp Dijon stirred in at the end)
  • 4 cups chopped romaine or iceberg lettuce
  • 1 large tomato, diced
  • 1 large dill pickle, chopped (or 1/3 cup pickle chips)
  • 1 cup cooked cauliflower rice or white rice (optional; cauliflower rice keeps it lighter)
  • 1/2 cup shredded cheddar or reduced-fat cheddar (or use slices, torn)
  • 1/2 ripe avocado, sliced (optional, for extra healthy fats)
  • 1/3 cup plain Greek yogurt (2% or 5% for creaminess)
  • 2 tbsp light mayonnaise
  • 1 tbsp ketchup
  • 2 tsp yellow mustard
  • 1–2 tsp pickle juice (from the jar)
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp onion powder
  • Pinch of paprika
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Method
 

  1. Make the sauce. In a small bowl, whisk Greek yogurt, mayo, ketchup, mustard, pickle juice, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Adjust to taste. Chill while you prep the rest.
  2. Prep the veggies. Chop lettuce, dice tomato, and slice or chop pickles. If using avocado, slice it just before serving to keep it fresh.
  3. Cook the base (optional). If you want rice or cauliflower rice, warm it. For cauliflower rice, sauté in a dry skillet with a pinch of salt until tender, about 4–5 minutes.
  4. Sauté aromatics. Heat a large skillet over medium. Add oil if your beef is very lean. Cook onion for 2–3 minutes until softened, then add garlic for 30 seconds.
  5. Brown the beef. Add ground beef, breaking it up. Season with salt, pepper, paprika, and mustard powder. Cook until browned and no longer pink, about 5–7 minutes. If using Dijon instead of mustard powder, stir in 1 tsp at the end. Taste and adjust seasoning.
  6. Melt the cheese. Turn heat to low. Sprinkle shredded cheddar over the hot beef and cover for 1–2 minutes to melt. Alternatively, keep cheese separate and add to bowls individually.
  7. Assemble the bowls. Add lettuce to each bowl. Spoon in beef and cheese. Add tomato, pickles, and avocado if using. Include a scoop of rice or cauliflower rice if you want extra volume.
  8. Finish with sauce. Drizzle the burger sauce over the top. Add freshly cracked pepper and a pinch of salt to the tomatoes for extra flavor.
  9. Serve. Enjoy warm. If meal-prepping, keep lettuce and sauce separate until serving.