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    home » Recipes » Salad

    Deconstructed burger bowls

    Published: Apr 25, 2023 •Modified: Apr 28, 2023 by mikecleavenger • This post may contain affiliate links, which can earn us a commission • Leave a Comment

    Jump to Recipe
    Deconstructed burger in a bowl salad.
    Two hands holding a bowl filled with a hamburger salad.
    Deconstructed burger in a bowl salad with sliced veggies on a cutting board.
    Burger in a bowl salad.
    Burger in a bowl salad.

    These Deconstructed Burger Bowls are the best protein-packed salad! Ditch the bun and enjoy this gluten-free salad tossed with a special sauce.

    Overhead photo of a deconstructed burger in a bowl salad. this recipe

    Do you love burgers but looking for a healthier, gluten-free option? Deconstructed burger bowls are the answer!

    These bunless burger bowls are easy to make and customizable. Swap out proteins for turkey, chicken, or veggie burgers.

    I suggest following our Crispy Air Fryer Sweet Potato Cubes recipe for easy-to-follow instructions. Check out our collection of salad recipes for more delicious salads.

    Jump to:
    • ⭐️ Why you'll love this recipe
    • 🥘 Ingredient Notes
    • 📖 Substitutions and Variations
    • 💡Topping Ideas
    • 🔪 Step By Step Instructions
    • ⏲ Storage
    • 💭 Chef Tips
    • ❓Recipe FAQ's
    • 🍽 Related Recipes
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    ⭐️ Why you'll love this recipe

    • These healthy burger bowls are Whole30, Paleo, Dairy-Free, and Gluten-Free.
    • Enjoy the delicious flavors of a burger without missing a bun!
    • Change up your burger toppings and make this bowl customizable.
    • The burger bowl sauce is a copycat of In and Out's special sauce.

    🥘 Ingredient Notes

    For a complete ingredient list, scroll down to our recipe card.

    Ingredients used to make a deconstructed burger in a bowl.
    • Burgers - We used premade burger patties but you can make your own grown ground beef. Turkey burgers and veggies burgers are some great swaps!
    • Romaine Lettuce - Choose a crisp lettuce like romaine or iceberg.
    • Special Sauce - A combination of mayo, Whole30 ketchup, and pickle relish.
    • Sweet Potatoes - These are filling and add a natural sweet flavor.
    • Avocado - Help make this recipe keto-friendly
    • Pickles - Make this Pickle Recipe for Whole30 burger bowls.
    • Tomatoes - Cherry tomatoes or diced Roma tomatoes work the best.
    • Red Onions - If you don't like raw red onions, try my Hibiscus Pickled Red Onions.
    • Bacon - We used sugar-free and nitrate-free bacon.

    See recipe card for quantities.

    📖 Substitutions and Variations

    I love how customizable these loaded burger bowls are! You can change the toppings and proteins to match your taste or dietary preference.

    • Protein - Instead of beef burgers, try using chicken or turkey burgers. Use veggie burgers or a vegetarian option.
    • Base - Instead of lettuce, use a base of cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles for a low-carb swap.
    • Keto - Melt cheddar cheese on your burger and keep the avocado for added fat.
    • Toppings - Add your favorite raw or cooked veggies to change the flavor profile. Below I will include burger bowl ideas for toppings!

    💡Topping Ideas

    • caramelized onions
    • pickled jalapenos
    • roasted red peppers
    • sauteed mushrooms
    • grilled pineapple
    • crispy onion rings
    • barbeque sauce

    🔪 Step By Step Instructions

    If you have questions about this deconstructed burger bowl recipe, don’t forget to check out our FAQ section at the bottom of this post.

    Image of a glass bowl filled with special sauce with a spoon.

    Step 1: To make burger bowl dressing combine mayo, ketchup, relish, coconut aminos, and white vinegar.

    Cooked bacon in an air fryer basket.

    Step 2: Preheat the air fryer to 375ºF/190ºC. Place slices of bacon in the basket and cook for 10 minutes or until crispy.

    Diced sweet potatoes in an air fryer basket

    Step 3: Preheat the air fryer to 400ºF/204ºC. Toss sweet potatoes with avocado oil and seasonings. Cook for 12 minutes.

    Cooked burgers in an air fryer basket.

    Step 4: Preheat the air fryer to 375ºF/190ºC. Cook the burger for 5 minutes, then flip, and cook for 5 more minutes.

    Assemble the bowl: Place chopped romaine in a large bowl and toss with dressing. Place lettuce in bowls and arrange your topping in sections. Finish your salad with a cooked burger patty and enjoy.

    Tip - Using an air fryer is OPTIONAL and you can still use an oven to cook your sweet potatoes, and bacon. Use a grill or cast-iron pan to cook the burger.

    ⏲ Storage

    Refrigerator: Store burger bowls in airtight containers with dressing on the side for 3-4 days.

    Reheating: The only thing we need to reheat is the burger patty. Since it's already cooked, we want to reheat it slowly in the microwave at 70% power for 1-2 minutes.

    Burger in a bowl with a cutting board filled with sliced veggies.

    💭 Chef Tips

    • If you don't like the taste of raw onions, use pickled red onions.
    • Use a thermometer to make sure the internal temperature of the burger is 165ºF/73ºC.
    • The thickness of the burger will determine how long to cook it in the air fryer or grill.
    • We recommend choosing lettuce that is crisp and crunchy, like romaine or iceberg.

    ❓Recipe FAQ's

    Can I use a frozen burger patty?

    Yes! You can cook a burger patty straight from frozen. Whether you are using a grill or air fryer, add a few minutes to the cooking time. Make sure the internal temperature is 165°F.

    Can I make my own burger patties?

    Making homemade burger patties is so easy! Mix ground beef and seasonings in a large bowl and shape it into ½ pound patties.

    What is a deconstructed burger?

    A deconstructed burger takes burger ingredients and serves them separately, often in a bowl or on a plate.

    Two hands holding a bowl with romaine lettuce, hamburger, bacon, pickles, tomatoes, sweet potatoes, and avocado.

    🍽 Related Recipes

    Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:

    • pickled red onions featured image
      Hibiscus Pickled Red Onions (Sweet and Tangy)
    • bbq sauce in a jar
      Easy BBQ Sauce
    • homemade mayo with lemon, eggs, and mustard
      5-Minute Homemade Paleo Mayo
    • Overhead photo of guacamole in a round bowl with a single tortilla chip.
      Food Processor Guacamole (Creamy Guacamole)

    Did you make this recipe? Leave a ⭐️ review below and tag @thefrizzledleek on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest!

    📖 Recipe

    Overhead photo of a deconstructed burger in a bowl.

    Deconstructed Burger Bowls

    Mike Cleavenger
    These Deconstructed Burger Bowls are the best protein-packed salad! Ditch the bun and enjoy this gluten-free salad tossed with a special sauce.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 15 minutes mins
    Cook Time 10 minutes mins
    Total Time 25 minutes mins
    Course Main Course, Salads
    Cuisine American
    Servings 4 servings
    Calories 754 kcal

    Equipment

    • Air Fryer
    • mixing bowl

    Ingredients
      

    • 4 burger patties ½ pound burgers
    • salt and pepper to season burgers
    • 1 small red onion sliced
    • 4 strips of bacon cooked
    • 8 cups romaine lettuce chopped
    • 1 cup sliced dill pickles
    • 1 cup cherry tomatoes
    • 2 diced sweet potatoes cooked
    • 1 avocado sliced

    Burger Bowl Sauce

    • ½ cup paleo mayo made with avocado oil
    • 3 tablespoon ketchup Whole30
    • 2 tablespoons dill pickle relish
    • 2 tablespoons coconut aminos
    • ½ teaspoon white vinegar

    Instructions
     

    For the sauce

    • Whisk together all of the sauce ingredients and set aside.

    For the burger bowls

    • Prep Veggies: Prep, clean, and chop romaine lettuce, cherry tomatoes, diced sweet potatoes, sliced red onion, pickles, and sliced avocado. 
    • Cook Bacon: Preheat the air fryer to 375ºF/190ºC. Place slices of bacon in the basket and cook for 10 minutes or until crispy. 
    • Cook Sweet Potatoes: Preheat the air fryer to 400ºF/204ºC. Toss sweet potatoes with avocado oil and seasonings. Cook for 12 minutes.
    • Cook Burgers: Preheat the air fryer to 375ºF/190ºC. Cook the burger for 5 minutes, then flip, and cook for 5 more minutes.
    • Assemble the Bowls: Place dressed romaine into 4 separate bowls. Top with sweet potatoes, bacon, pickles, red onions, burger, avocado, and tomatoes.

    Notes

    • Using an air fryer is OPTIONAL and you can still use an oven to cook your sweet potatoes, and bacon. Use a grill or cast-iron pan to cook the burger.
    • If you don't like the taste of raw onions, use pickled red onions.
    • Use a thermometer to make sure the internal temperature of the burger is 165ºF/73ºC.
    • The thickness of the burger will determine how long to cook it in the air fryer or grill.
    • We recommend choosing lettuce that is crisp and crunchy, like romaine or iceberg.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 754kcal | Carbohydrates: 42g | Protein: 25g | Fat: 55g | Saturated Fat: 15g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 16g | Monounsaturated Fat: 21g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 86mg | Sodium: 1128mg | Potassium: 1409mg | Fiber: 10g | Sugar: 11g | Vitamin A: 24637IU | Vitamin C: 23mg | Calcium: 114mg | Iron: 5mg
    Keyword burger bowls, deconstructed burgers, hamburger salad
    DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?Leave a comment below and share a photo on instagram. Tag @thefrizzledleek and hashtag it #thefrizzledleek.

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