High-Protein Cheeseburger Bowls Recipe – Low-Carb Meal Prep with Ground Beef & Burger Sauce
I still remember the first chilly October evening I made this bowl — the windows fogged, cinnamon candles glowing, and the kitchen smelling like browned beef and toasted sesame. That cozy scene is why the High-Protein Cheeseburger Bowls Recipe – Low-Carb Meal Prep with Ground Beef & Burger Sauce quickly became a reader favorite: it feels like comfort food without the heavy carbs, and it’s perfect for batch-cooking on crisp fall weekends. If you love seasonal treats and meal prep ease, this bowl will become one of your go-to dinners and lunches. For more meal prep inspiration, check out this High-Protein Cheeseburger Bowls recipe page for ideas that pair well with weeknight planning: High-Protein Cheeseburger Bowls recipe page.
Ingredients
- 1.5 lb ground beef (use lean, 90/10 for less fat)
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 4 large cups shredded romaine or mixed greens
- 1 cup chopped tomatoes
- 1/2 cup diced pickles
- 1/4 cup finely chopped red onion
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 4 hard-boiled eggs, halved (optional extra protein)
- For the burger sauce:
- 1/2 cup Greek yogurt
- 2 tbsp sugar-free ketchup
- 1 tbsp mustard
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- Pinch of smoked paprika
- Optional garnishes: sesame seeds, sliced avocado
Step-by-step instructions
- Prep the burger sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together Greek yogurt, sugar-free ketchup, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and smoked paprika. Taste and adjust — set aside. This sauce is what makes the High-Protein Cheeseburger Bowls Recipe – Low-Carb Meal Prep with Ground Beef & Burger Sauce feel indulgent without added carbs.
- Brown the beef: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat with 2 tbsp olive oil. Add the ground beef, breaking it up with a spatula. Season with salt, pepper, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder.
- Cook through: Continue to cook until beef is nicely browned and no pink remains, about 8–10 minutes. Drain any excess fat if necessary.
- Assemble bowls: Divide shredded greens among four meal prep containers or bowls. Top each with roughly 1/4 of the cooked beef, shredded cheddar, chopped tomatoes, pickles, red onion, and a couple of hard-boiled egg halves if using.
- Drizzle with sauce: Spoon 1–2 tbsp of the burger sauce over each bowl, or pack sauce separately in small containers for meal prep freshness.
- Finish and serve: Sprinkle sesame seeds or sliced avocado if desired. Warm the beef slightly if you prefer a toasty contrast to the crisp greens.
Tips for success
- Use lean ground beef to reduce grease and keep the bowls low-carb and protein-forward. For meal plan pairing ideas, this dish works nicely alongside a 7-day high-protein low-carb meal plan: 7-day high-protein low-carb meal plan for clean eating.
- Don’t overcook: Remove the beef as soon as it’s browned to maintain tenderness.
- Sauce on the side: If you’re prepping ahead, keep the burger sauce separate to avoid soggy greens.
- Swap the cheese: Aged cheddar adds flavor, but pepper jack or a dairy-free shredded cheese can be used if you prefer.
- Batch-cook eggs and greens at the start of the week to speed up assembly.
Possible variations
- Gluten-free: This entire recipe is naturally low-carb and easy to make gluten-free. For a twist inspired by other bowl recipes, try combining flavors from favorite bowls like these gluten-free taco bowls: gluten-free taco bowls with ground turkey.
- Protein swaps: Replace ground beef with ground turkey or a plant-based crumbled alternative to suit dietary preferences.
- Streusel-style topping: For a playful take inspired by fall baking, make a savory streusel by tossing toasted pecans, parmesan, and a pinch of smoked paprika; sprinkle over the bowls for crunch, pairing nicely for home bakers who love seasonal textures.
- Mediterranean twist: Add olives, cucumber, and feta for a Mediterranean riff — this pairs well with a broader week of Mediterranean meal ideas: easy 7-day Mediterranean diet meal plan for beginners.
Storage recommendations
- Refrigerate: Store assembled bowls without sauce for up to 4 days in airtight containers. Add sauce when ready to eat.
- Freeze: Cooked beef can be frozen for up to 3 months in freezer-safe bags — thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
- Reheating: Gently reheat the beef in a skillet or microwave, then assemble over fresh greens to keep textures bright. If you meal-prep multiple dinners, consider rotating sides — this method works well with simple chicken meal prep recipes too: chicken meal prep recipes for weight loss.
Why readers love it
The High-Protein Cheeseburger Bowls Recipe – Low-Carb Meal Prep with Ground Beef & Burger Sauce combines nostalgia and practicality: the flavors of a favorite burger in a clean, low-carb format that’s perfect for baking-season meal prep days. It’s satisfying, flexible, and friendly to cooks at every skill level.
Conclusion
If you want another easy low-carb bowl to add to your rotation, try a classic take on the concept with this Cheeseburger Bowls (Easy Low Carb Meal), or explore a popular layered option with the Big Mac Burger Salad Bowl (meal prep favorite) – Oh Snap Macros for more inspiration and variations.
FAQs
Can I make the burger sauce dairy-free?
Yes — swap Greek yogurt for a dairy-free plain yogurt or a base of mayonnaise (use olive oil–based mayo for a lighter option) and follow the same proportions.How many calories are in one bowl?
Calories vary by ingredients and portions, but a typical High-Protein Cheeseburger Bowls Recipe – Low-Carb Meal Prep with Ground Beef & Burger Sauce serving made with lean beef, cheese, and sauce usually ranges from 450–650 calories. Adjust cheese and egg portions to lower calories.Can I meal prep these for the whole week?
Yes — prepare components (beef, eggs, chopped veggies) and store separately. Assemble bowls 3–4 days ahead for best freshness.Is this recipe suitable for keto?
Yes — the bowls are low-carb and high in protein and fats, especially if you include eggs and avocado, making them a good fit for many ketogenic meal plans.
High-Protein Cheeseburger Bowls
Ingredients
For the cheeseburger bowls
- 1.5 lb ground beef (use lean, 90/10 for less fat) Use lean ground beef to reduce grease.
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese Aged cheddar adds flavor.
- 4 cups shredded romaine or mixed greens
- 1 cup chopped tomatoes
- 1/2 cup diced pickles
- 1/4 cup finely chopped red onion
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 4 concepts hard-boiled eggs, halved (optional extra protein) Optional for additional protein.
For the burger sauce
- 1/2 cup Greek yogurt Can be replaced with dairy-free yogurt.
- 2 tbsp sugar-free ketchup
- 1 tbsp mustard
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- pinch smoked paprika
Instructions
Preparation
- In a small bowl, whisk together Greek yogurt, sugar-free ketchup, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and smoked paprika for the burger sauce. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed, then set aside.
Cooking the Beef
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat with olive oil. Add the ground beef, breaking it up with a spatula.
- Season beef with salt, pepper, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder.
- Continue to cook until beef is nicely browned and no pink remains, about 8–10 minutes. Drain any excess fat if necessary.
Assembly
- Divide shredded greens among four meal prep containers or bowls.
- Top each with roughly 1/4 of the cooked beef, shredded cheddar, chopped tomatoes, pickles, red onion, and halved hard-boiled eggs if using.
- Spoon 1–2 tbsp of the burger sauce over each bowl, or pack sauce separately in small containers.
- Sprinkle with sesame seeds or sliced avocado if desired. Warm the beef slightly if preferred.