These Deconstructed Healthy Hamburger Bowls trade the bun for a bowl, in a fun and veggie-packed way to enjoy burgers! They are filled with perfectly seasoned ground beef, crispy roasted potatoes, a variety of nourishing toppings and of course…a drizzle of special sauce. Enjoy these as an easy healthy summer dinner or meal prep lunch option!
Hats off to whoever invented the burger bowl. I’m certainly not re-inventing the wheel with this one, but they are just too good not to share with the world! Recipes like this are truly made for me because I’ve never really liked burger buns.
It’s not about the calories or the carbs…I just don’t think they really add anything to the experience. Oftentimes the bottom gets soggy or the ratio of meat to bread is just totally off. Safe to say, I spent years eating bun-less burgers before I discovered deconstructed healthy hamburger bowls.
If you’ve never tried a deconstructed burger bowl…hello and welcome to the good life! I’d describe them as a big salad filled with juicy, seasoned ground beef, crispy potatoes and all your favorite burger toppings. Drizzled with some special sauce as the “dressing,” these healthy burger bowls just always hit the spot! They’re sure to be a favorite this summer, and every summer after.
Why You’ll Love these Deconstructed Healthy Hamburger Bowls
- These bowls are the perfect healthy way to enjoy burgers without the bun!
- These deconstructed healthy hamburger bowls come together quickly and require minimal cooking.
- You will love all the fresh healthy ingredients, textures and flavors in these bowls.
- This is a flexible recipe so you can use whatever ground meat prefer and swap in your favorite toppings
- It’s gluten free, grain free and can easily be made whole30, paleo and dairy free by omitting the cheese.
- These are the perfect summer dinner or healthy meal prep lunch option.
What You Need to Make these Deconstructed Healthy Hamburger Bowls
For the Deconstructed Hamburgers:
- Avocado Oil: If you’re using a less-lean ground beef, you may not need this as it will release it’s own grease while cooking. However, since I used 95% lean ground venison, I added a bit of avocado oil!
- Ground Beef: I always recommend grass-fed when possible, but use whatever you prefer…ground beef, ground venison, ground bison or even ground turkey.
- Paprika, Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Oregano, Cayenne, Kosher Salt & Black Pepper: You likely have all these seasonings on hand already and they give this recipe that nostalgic hamburger flavor!
For the Roasted Baby Potatoes:
- Baby Potatoes: Instead of fries, we’re adding crispy roasted baby potatoes to these deconstructed healthy hamburger bowls.
- Avocado Oil: Avocado oil has a high smoke point so it’s perfect for roasting! Measure with your heart.
- Kosher Salt & Black Pepper: Season the baby potatoes generously with salt and pepper.
For the Bowls:
- Romaine Lettuce: These deconstructed healthy burger bowls are served over a bed of chopped romaine lettuce.
- Cherry Tomatoes: Cherry or grape tomatoes are a classic addition! Quarter or halve them, depending on how large they are.
- Pickled Red Onions: I prefer pickled red onions vs raw red onion, but it’s totally up to you. This is the recipe I typically follow for quick pickled red onions. You can often find them pre-made at grocery stores too.
- Cheddar Cheese: Elevate these hamburger bowls into cheeseburger bowls by adding some freshly shredded grass-fed cheddar cheese. Feel free to omit if you’re dairy free.
- Avocado: Sliced avocado adds an additional element of creaminess as well as a variety of macro and micro nutrients.
- Special Sauce: Special sauce is a must with burgers! For added convince, I use the Primal Kitchen Special Sauce which is gluten free, paleo, Whole30, keto and made without seed oils. If you want to go the homemade route, check out this old post of mine for a special sauce recipe.
How To Make these Deconstructed Healthy Hamburger Bowls
Soak, then Roast the Baby Potatoes:
First, if you have extra time I highly recommend adding your quartered baby potatoes to a large bowl with cold water and letting them soak for 30 minutes. This will make them super crispy, and is so worth the wait!
Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 425F. After the potatoes are done soaking, drain off the water and pat them dry VERY well with paper towels. Then, add the potatoes to the baking sheet (lined with parchment paper if you prefer easier clean up).
Next, drizzle with avocado oil – measure with your heart – and season with kosher salt & black pepper to taste. Toss to coat. Then, spread the potatoes out so that there is no overlap. Transfer baking sheet to the oven for 30 minutes, or until potatoes are golden and crispy.
Prepare the Deconstructed Hamburger Mixture:
While the potatoes are roasting in the oven, bring a large pan to medium heat. Once hot, add the avocado oil. Then, add the ground beef. Use your spatula to break apart the ground beef into small pieces. Add all of the seasonings, including salt & pepper, and stir to combine. Continue to let the beef cook until browned and done through. Remove from the heat.
Assemble your Healthy Hamburger Bowls:
Finally, assemble your burger bowls, starting with a bed of romaine, the cooked ground beef, roasted baby potatoes, cherry tomatoes, shredded cheddar, pickled red onions and sliced avocado. Top it off with a hefty drizzle of special sauce. Enjoy!
Can I Make These Deconstructed Healthy Burger Bowls with a Different Meat?
Yes, of course! I actually used ground venison when I first made these healthy burger bowls. It was on sale at Whole Foods and I was intrigued! It actually turned out amazing, and didn’t have the game-y flavor I was expecting.
The ground venison was super lean, about 95%, so feel free to use a similar level leanness of whatever ground meat you prefer. A few options to try are: ground beef, ground turkey, ground bison or an ancestral blend. If it’s within your means, try to get grass-fed and grass-finished for the most nutrients!
Do I Have to Soak the Baby Potatoes?
As you’ll see in the full recipe card below, I highly recommend soaking the baby potatoes in a bowl of cold water for at least 30 minutes. This will yield crispy, restaurant-style roasted potatoes that are totally irresistible. I’m an antsy girly so I get it...waiting is annoying, but promise it’s worth it.
Of course, if you’re trying to make this on a weeknight after getting home from work, you can skip the soaking step. Your potatoes may be a little less crispy but still delicious, especially when paired with all the other burger bowl toppings!
What is Special Sauce?
If you’ve ever ordered a burger from a restaurant, you’re probably familiar with the term “special sauce.” This burger accompaniment is made up of mayo, ketchup, mustard, relish and spices. It’s a unique combination of creamy, sweet, tangy and savory flavors.
One of my favorite healthy condiment brands, Primal Kitchen, just launched their own Special Sauce and since I had some of it on hand, I used it for this recipe! The convenience is key here – not to mention the ingredients are amazing and it’s totally gluten free, paleo, whole30, etc.
If you can’t find the Primal Kitchen Special Sauce, you can certainly make your own at home instead. I don’t have an official recipe on the blog for special sauce, but I do have one in an old instagram post.
Toppings Ideas for Healthy Burger Bowls:
The best part about burger bowls is that they’re so adaptable! Add whatever toppings you love, and leave off any that you don’t. Here are a few ideas to get you going…
- Tomatoes: Is a burger really a burger without tomato!? Add some cherry or grape tomatoes to your healthy burger bowl for a pop of color and punch of acidity.
- Red Onion: Raw or pickled, but I personally love pickled!
- Shredded Cheese: Cheddar cheese is my go-to, but you can leave it off if you’re dairy free.
- Avocado: Sliced avocado is always a good idea for an element of creaminess, healthy fats and many other micronutrients.
- Bacon: Care for a bacon cheeseburger bowl!? Add some homemade, or store-bought crumbled bacon bits.
- Pickles: I truthfully am not a pickle girly, but I’m probably in the minority here.
- Fried Egg: Burgers + a runny egg are an underrated combo! Plus, it’s a good way to add even more protein to these healthy burger bowls.
Expert Tips & Tricks
These deconstructed healthy burger bowls are quite simple and beginner friendly but here are a few tips to ensure your success…
- Soak potatoes before roasting: This removes excess starch and helps them get super crispy. 30 minutes-1 hour is great if you have the time!
- Pat potatoes dry super well: Just as important as the soaking, is the drying. Be sure to drain off excess water and then dry the potatoes super well with paper towels.
- Make sure potatoes aren’t overlapping: Use a big baking sheet so they can have plenty of “breathing room” – otherwise they’ll steam and get mushy!
- Cook ground beef until just browned: You may be surprised how quick it cooks! But, once it’s browned, remove from the heat to prevent it from drying out.
- Let potatoes & ground beef cool slightly: To prevent the lettuce on your burger bowl from wilting, let the potatoes and ground beef cool down for a few minutes before assembling.
- Get creative with the toppings: The ones listed in the recipe are just suggestions…have fun with it and customize it your preference!
How Should I Store Leftover Deconstructed Healthy Hamburger Bowls?
These deconstructed healthy hamburger bowls would be great for a meal prep lunch option! However, I’d recommend storing some of the elements separately. For example, you could store the ground beef and the baby potatoes in one container, and then keep all the other bowl toppings in another.
That way you can re-heat the ground beef and baby potatoes in the microwave without getting the rest of your ingredients soggy and wilted. When you’re ready to eat it, combine everything and drizzle the special sauce on top!
Everything should stay good in the fridge for 3-4 days, but you may notice that the chopped romaine and avocado start to turn a bit brown, so you could always hold off on chopping those until you’re ready to eat.
Find the full recipe below. As always, please let me know if you tried it by commenting below or tagging me on Instagram, @munchinwithmaddie_.
Other Healthy Recipes You’ll Love:
- Healthy Philly Cheesesteak Stuffed Peppers
- The BEST Ground Turkey Enchilada Skillet
- One-Pan Buffalo Chicken Orzo
- Healthy Bolognese with Zucchini Noodles
- Arugula Salad with Apple, Bacon and Cheddar
- High-Protein Spinach and Artichoke Chicken Casserole
Deconstructed Healthy Hamburger Bowls
Equipment
- paper towels
- baking sheet
- large pan
- spatula
- cheese grater
Ingredients
For the Deconstructed Hamburgers:
- ½ tbsp avocado oil *
- 1 lb lean ground beef **
- 1 tsp paprika
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ¼ tsp oregano
- kosher salt & black pepper to taste
- cayenne optional, to taste
For the Roasted Baby Potatoes:
- 12 oz baby potatoes quartered
- avocado oil
- kosher salt & black pepper to taste
For the Bowls:
- romaine lettuce chopped
- cherry tomatoes halved or quartered
- pickled red onions (or thinly sliced raw red onion)
- shredded cheddar cheese (omit for dairy free/whole30)
- avocado sliced
- Primal Kitchen Special Sauce (or homemade)
Instructions
- If you have extra time, add your quartered baby potatoes to a large bowl with cold water. Let them soak for 30 minutes – this will make them super crispy, and is so worth the wait! Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 425F. After the potatoes are done soaking, drain off the water and pat them dry VERY well with paper towels.12 oz baby potatoes
- Add baby potatoes to a baking sheet (lined with parchment paper if you prefer easier clean up). Drizzle with avocado oil – measure with your heart – and season with kosher salt & black pepper to taste. Toss to coat. Then, spread the potatoes out so that there is no overlap. Transfer baking sheet to the oven for 30 minutes, or until potatoes are golden and crispy.avocado oil, kosher salt & black pepper
- While the potatoes are roasting in the oven, bring a large pan to medium heat. Once hot, add the avocado oil. Then, add the ground beef. Use your spatula to break apart the ground beef into small pieces. Add all of the seasonings, including salt & pepper, and stir to combine. Continue to let the beef cook until browned and done through. Remove from the heat.½ tbsp avocado oil, 1 lb lean ground beef, 1 tsp paprika, ½ tsp garlic powder, ½ tsp onion powder, ¼ tsp oregano, kosher salt & black pepper, cayenne
- Assemble your burger bowls, starting with a bed of romaine, the cooked ground beef, roasted baby potatoes, cherry tomatoes, shredded cheddar, pickled red onions and sliced avocado. Top it off with a hefty drizzle of special sauce. Enjoy!romaine lettuce, cherry tomatoes, pickled red onions, shredded cheddar cheese, avocado, Primal Kitchen Special Sauce
Video
Notes
Did you make this recipe?
Please let me know how it turned out for you! Leave a comment below and tag @munchinwithmaddie_ on Instagram and/or hashtag it #munchinwithmaddie.
Seriously so good!!
We’re having them again this week 🙂
These Deconstructed Healthy Hamburger Bowls sound absolutely delicious! I love the idea of swapping the bun for a bowl and adding roasted potatoes for extra crunch. The variety of toppings and special sauce make it even more tempting. Perfect for a nutritious summer meal or convenient meal prep! 🍔🥗