These Loaded Burger Bowls are a fun, healthy twist on a fast-food classic. By deconstructing the burger, you get all the savory beef, crispy potatoes, and fresh toppings you crave, but without the heavy bun.
Drizzled with a creamy, tangy homemade special sauce that rivals the famous drive-thru version, these bowls are satisfying, customizable, and perfect for a family dinner or meal prep.
Recipe Details
- Flavor Profile: A savory mix of seasoned beef and roasted potatoes, brightened by fresh veggies and pickles, all tied together by a creamy, tangy, slightly sweet burger sauce.
- Texture: Crisp lettuce and juicy tomatoes provide a fresh crunch against the tender ground beef and golden roasted potatoes.
- Time: 15 minutes prep, 40 minutes cook time.
- Difficulty: Easy. It involves roasting vegetables and a quick skillet sauté.
What You’ll Need
To make this recipe, you will need one or two large baking dishes (or sheet pans) to roast the potatoes until crispy. A large, heavy-based frying pan is essential for browning the beef properly. A small bowl and whisk are all you need for the sauce. The ingredients rely on lean ground beef, pantry spices, and fresh produce to create a wholesome version of a burger combo meal.
Ingredient Notes
- Potatoes – Use 2 lb 10 oz of potatoes cut into ¾-inch cubes. Roasting them at high heat creates crispy “fries” that form the hearty base of the bowl.
- Lean Ground Beef – Using lean beef ensures the bowl isn’t greasy. Browning it with onions adds savory depth.
- Spices – A blend of sweet paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper seasons both the meat and the sauce, mimicking classic burger seasoning.
- Burger Sauce – This is the star. A base of whole-egg mayonnaise is flavored with gherkins, Dijon mustard, ketchup, and spices to create that iconic “secret sauce” taste.
- Gherkins (Dill Pickles) – Essential for the burger flavor profile. You will use finely chopped ones in the sauce and sliced ones for the topping.
- Romaine Lettuce – Sliced romaine (cos) provides a sturdy, crisp green base that holds up to the warm toppings.
- Cheese – Shredded cheddar or burger-style cheese adds the necessary creamy, salty finish.
Add-ins and Substitutions
- Bacon – Crispy bacon bits would be a delicious, smoky addition to the topping lineup.
- Low Carb – To make this keto-friendly, swap the roasted potatoes for roasted cauliflower or extra greens.
- Protein – Ground turkey or chicken works perfectly well with these seasonings if you prefer poultry.
- Spice – Add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the sauce or the beef for a little heat.
How to Make Loaded Burger Bowls with Special Sauce
- Preheat: Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C) (400°F/200°C fan-forced).
- Roast Potatoes: Place the potato cubes in a large baking dish so that they are evenly spread out (use two baking dishes, if required, to ensure the potatoes are not overlapping). Sprinkle the potatoes with salt and pepper and drizzle with olive oil. Toss to coat thoroughly. Bake for 40 minutes or until crispy and golden, turning once halfway through.
- Cook the Beef: While potatoes roast, heat the olive oil in a large, deep, heavy-based frying pan over medium–high heat. Add the finely diced onion and cook, stirring, for 1–2 minutes until softened. Add the beef and cook for 4–5 minutes or until it’s starting to brown, breaking up the beef with a spoon as you go.
- Season Beef: Add the remaining beef ingredients (salt, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, pepper) and cook for a further minute to toast the spices. Set aside.
- Make the Sauce: Combine the burger sauce ingredients (mayonnaise, chopped gherkins, Dijon, ketchup, spices), except the water, in a medium bowl. Whisk to combine. Add 1 tablespoon of water at a time until your desired drizzling consistency is reached.
- Assemble: Divide the sliced lettuce among four bowls. Top with the warm baked potatoes, seasoned beef, and shredded cheese. Follow with the fresh toppings: cherry tomatoes, red onion, and sliced gherkins.
- Serve: Drizzle generously with the burger sauce and serve immediately.
Pro Tip: Don’t crowd the potatoes! If the cubes are touching or piled up, they will steam instead of roast. Using two trays ensures every potato gets that delicious golden crust.
Recipe Tips
- Finely Chop Gherkins: For the sauce, chop the gherkins as finely as possible so they distribute evenly and can pass through a squeeze bottle if you choose to use one.
- Beef Browning: Let the beef sit for a minute in the hot pan before stirring to get a nice sear. That browning adds flavor that simple steaming lacks.
- Sauce Consistency: Start with 1 tablespoon of water. The sauce should be thick enough to cling to the food but thin enough to drizzle off a spoon.
FAQs
- Can I use frozen fries? Yes, to save time, you can bake frozen french fries or tater tots instead of roasting fresh potatoes.
- Is this gluten-free? Yes, as long as you double-check your soy sauce (if adding any optional extras not listed here) and condiments, the base ingredients are naturally gluten-free.
- How do I store leftovers? Store the beef and potatoes in separate containers from the cold salad ingredients. Reheat the hot components before assembling the bowl.
Serving Suggestions
- Pickles: Extra pickles on the side are always a good idea with this flavor profile.
- Avocado: Sliced avocado adds a creamy texture that pairs well with the beef.
- Sesame Seeds: A sprinkle of sesame seeds on top mimics the sesame seed bun vibe.
Make This Recipe in Advance
- Meal Prep: This is an excellent meal prep recipe. Portion the potatoes and beef into containers and keep the lettuce/toppings in a separate compartment or baggie. Pack the sauce in a small dressing cup.
- Sauce: The burger sauce tastes even better after sitting for a day, so feel free to make it ahead of time.
Loaded Burger Bowls
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 4 Bowls 1x
Description
These Loaded Burger Bowls are a fun, healthy twist on a fast-food classic. By deconstructing the burger, you get all the savory beef, crispy potatoes, and fresh toppings you crave, but without the heavy bun. Drizzled with a creamy, tangy homemade special sauce that rivals the famous drive-thru version, these bowls are satisfying, customizable, and perfect for a family dinner or meal prep.
Ingredients
The Crispy Potatoes
- 2 lb 10 oz potatoes (approx. 4 large), cut into ¾-inch cubes
- 4 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 teaspoons sea salt flakes
- 1/4 teaspoon cracked black pepper
The Seasoned Beef
- 1 lb 2 oz lean ground beef
- 1 medium onion, finely diced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon sea salt flakes
- 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon cracked black pepper
The Special Burger Sauce
- 1 cup whole-egg mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons gherkins (dill pickles), finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon ketchup
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1–2 tablespoons water (to thin)
The Fresh Toppings
- 1 large Romaine (cos) lettuce, sliced
- 1/2 cup Cheddar cheese, shredded
- 7 oz cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup gherkins (dill pickles), sliced
Instructions
Preheat
Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C).
Roast Potatoes
Place potato cubes in a large baking dish (or two) to ensure they are spread out in a single layer. Season: Drizzle with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Toss to coat. Bake: Roast for 40 minutes, turning halfway through, until crispy and golden.
Cook Beef
While potatoes roast, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sauté: Add the diced onion and cook for 1–2 minutes until softened.
Brown
Add the beef and cook for 4–5 minutes, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned.
Season Beef
Add salt, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, and pepper to the skillet. Cook for 1 more minute to toast the spices. Remove from heat.
Make Sauce
In a medium bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, chopped gherkins, mustard, ketchup, paprika, onion powder, and garlic powder. Adjust: Add water, 1 tablespoon at a time, until it reaches a drizzling consistency.
Assemble
Divide sliced lettuce among four bowls. Top with warm crispy potatoes, seasoned beef, and shredded cheese.
Garnish
Add tomatoes, red onion, and sliced pickles.
Serve
Drizzle generously with the special burger sauce and serve immediately.
Notes
Potato Crispiness: Do not crowd the potatoes! If the cubes are touching or piled on top of each other, they will steam instead of roast. Use two baking sheets if necessary to ensure every potato gets a golden crust.
Sauce Texture: Chop the gherkins for the sauce very finely so they distribute evenly and don’t clog up a squeeze bottle (if you use one).
Beef Flavor: Let the beef sit for a minute in the hot pan before stirring. That initial sear creates browning (the Maillard reaction) which adds much more flavor than just steaming the meat.
Meal Prep: Store the beef and potatoes in one container (to be reheated) and the cold salad ingredients in another. Keep the sauce separate.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dinner / Bowls
- Method: Roasting / Stovetop
- Cuisine: American Fast-Food Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Bowl
- Calories: 850
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 1450mg
- Fat: 58g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 42g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 58g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 105mg
Keywords: burger bowls, loaded fries, healthy burger recipe, gluten free dinner, special sauce recipe, big mac bowl, ground beef recipes, sheet pan potatoes
