Cheeseburger Bowl for Quick Weeknight Dinners
A vibrant and satisfying deconstructed burger that swaps the heavy bun for a crisp bed of romaine lettuce. This quick meal features savory seasoned beef, melted sharp cheddar, and a tangy secret sauce for all the nostalgic flavor of a classic burger without the post-meal slump.
Equipment
- Large skillet
- Skillet lid
- small mixing bowl
- Whisk
- Box grater
- Chef's knife
- Cutting board
Ingredients
- 1 lb Ground Beef 80/20 blend
- 1 cup Sharp Cheddar Cheese, freshly grated
- 1 large head Romaine Lettuce, chopped
- ½ cup Dill Pickles, sliced
- ½ small Red Onion, thinly sliced
- ½ cup Mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon Yellow Mustard
- 1 tablespoon Pickle juice
- ½ teaspoon Garlic powder
- Salt, to taste
- Cracked black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, yellow mustard, pickle juice, and garlic powder to create the secret sauce. Place in the refrigerator for at least 10 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
- Prepare the vegetables by chopping the romaine lettuce and slicing the pickles and red onion. If the onion is too sharp, soak the slices in cold water for a few minutes then drain.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat until nearly smoking. Add the ground beef, breaking it into large chunks to ensure a good sear and crispy edges.
- Season the beef generously with salt and cracked black pepper only after it has begun to brown to prevent steaming.
- Once the beef is fully cooked and browned, turn off the heat. Sprinkle the freshly grated cheddar cheese evenly over the meat.
- Cover the skillet with a lid for about 60 seconds to allow the residual heat to melt the cheese into a gooey layer.
- Assemble the bowls by creating a generous bed of chopped romaine lettuce in each.
- Top the lettuce with the cheesy beef mixture, pickles, and red onions.
- Finish by drizzling the chilled secret sauce over the top and serve immediately.
Notes
For a leaner profile, substitute ground beef with ground turkey or chicken seasoned with smoked paprika. Avoid using pre-shredded cheese as the added starches prevent a smooth melt. To add a gourmet touch, consider adding crispy bacon bits or caramelized onions.