BURGER BOWLS
My family and I make burger bowls whenever we have a big crowd over, especially in the summer. It doesn’t take a ton of work, and everyone can customize their own burger. We tend to go all out on toppings, which include (but are never limited to) jalapeños, roasted red peppers, avocado, sautéed mushrooms, tomatoes, onion, and lots of lettuce, which is more of a base than a topping, but important nonetheless. SERVES 4
PREP TIME: 10 minutes
COOK TIME: 15 minutes
1 pound (454 g) ground beef
½ onion, finely chopped, plus ½ onion, sliced, for topping
2 tablespoons (30 ml) homemade Ketchup (here)
Salt
Freshly ground black pepper
1 teaspoon (5 ml) extra-virgin olive oil
4 cups (960 ml) field greens or other lettuce
Homemade Mayo (here), for topping
Mustard, for topping
Pickles, for topping
Tomatoes, sliced, for topping
- In a large bowl, stir together the beef, finely chopped onion, and Ketchup until thoroughly combined. Season with salt and pepper. Divide the mixture four ways and form into patties with your hands.
- Grease a large skillet or grill pan with the olive oil, and cook the burgers over medium heat for 5 to 7 minutes on each side for medium (2 minutes less for rare and 2 minutes more for medium-well).
- Divide the field greens evenly among 4 serving bowls, and place 1 burger on top of each pile of greens. Top each burger with some onion slices, Homemade Mayo or Ketchup, mustard, pickles, sliced tomatoes, or any other toppings you prefer, and serve.
VARIATION 1 BACON-MUSHROOM BURGER BOWLS: Top each burger bowl with ¼ cup Perfect Sautéed Mushrooms (here) and 1 or 2 tablespoons (30 ml) cooked and chopped bacon.
VARIATION 2 BÁNH MÌ BURGER BOWLS: Substitute the beef with ground pork (the cook time should be about the same), and skip the ketchup. Top with shredded carrots, cucumber, radishes, jalapeños, a drizzle of sesame oil, and some kimchi.
PALEO PAIR: Serve with Chili-Lime Sweet Potato Fries (here).
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- Br-Egg-Fast Hot Dogs
- Roasted jalapeño & garlic raw sauerkraut (probiotic)
These burger bowls pile a seasoned beef patty onto a bed of field greens and let everyone build their own with onion, mayo, ketchup, mustard, pickles, and tomatoes. No bun, no problem - it is burger night that feels lighter. Perfect for feeding a summer crowd.
Pro Tips
- Stir the finely chopped onion and homemade ketchup into the beef before forming the patties. It seasons the meat from within.
- Divide the mixture into four equal patties and cook 5-7 minutes per side for medium - two minutes less for rare, two more for medium-well.
- Grease the skillet or grill pan with just a teaspoon of olive oil. The beef brings plenty of fat of its own.
- Set the toppings out buffet-style: sliced onion, mayo, ketchup, mustard, pickles, tomatoes, jalapenos, roasted peppers, avocado, or sauteed mushrooms.
- Bacon-mushroom variation: top each bowl with 1/4 cup of sauteed mushrooms and a tablespoon or two of chopped cooked bacon.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are burger bowls paleo?
They are with homemade ketchup and mayo - beef, onion, ketchup, greens, and your favorite toppings. No bun required.
Can I grill the patties instead of using a skillet?
Yes - a grill pan or outdoor grill works exactly the same. Keep the heat at medium and cook 5-7 minutes per side.
How do I cook the perfect burger?
Five to seven minutes per side over medium heat for medium doneness - two minutes less for rare and two more for medium-well.
What can I use instead of ground beef?
Ground pork works in the banh mi variation - top the bowls with shredded carrots, cucumber, radishes, jalapenos, sesame oil, and kimchi.
Recipe Card
Ingredients
Method
- In a large bowl, stir together the beef, finely chopped onion, and Ketchup until thoroughly combined.
- Season with salt and pepper.
- Divide the mixture four ways and form into patties with your hands.
- Grease a large skillet or grill pan with the olive oil, and cook the burgers over medium heat for 5 to 7 minutes on each side for medium (2 minutes less for rare and 2 minutes more for medium-well).
- Divide the field greens evenly among 4 serving bowls, and place 1 burger on top of each pile of greens.
- Top each burger with some onion slices, Homemade Mayo or Ketchup, mustard, pickles, sliced tomatoes, or any other toppings you prefer, and serve.
