First things first, I’m currently hosting a GIVEAWAY on my Instagram account for one lucky winner to win an Instant Pot! So, if you haven’t checked it out yet, head on over and enter! And now, onto these Bacon Cheeseburger Salad Bowls. If you’ve followed this blog for a while now, you’ll know that I have had a track record to turn burgers into new and exciting dishes. From spaghetti to pierogis to soup and Wellington, there is literally something for everyone. Now these burger bowls are taking over and I have to say that they’re out of this world. I mean, I might be slightly biased here but I can’t recommend this recipe enough. It’s the perfect weeknight summer meal, and the one I’ll be making all season long!
Because the main goal of this salad bowl is to taste just like a bacon cheeseburger, the “dressing” for this salad will be a burger sauce. To make it, in a small bowl stir together all of the ingredients until well-combined. Give it a taste and adjust seasoning accordingly, adding more salt or pepper if needed. Cover with plastic wrap and store in the fridge until ready to serve.
**Tip: You can make the sauce up to 4 days in advance and keep it in the fridge, in an airtight container, until ready to use! You can use it for regular burgers or as a dip for fries as well!**
Set a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the bacon and cook, stirring often, until crispy about 5 to 8 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the bacon onto a plate lined with paper towels.
**Tip: I used regular bacon for this, but if you want a meatier bite to the salad, feel free to use thick cut black peppered bacon instead!**
Drain all but 1 tablespoon of the fat, and crumble in the ground beef. Using a wooden spoon, break up the beef and cook until crispy and no longer pink, about 10 to 12 minutes. Season with salt, pepper, onion, garlic, and Worcestershire sauce. Remove from heat and cool slightly.
**Tip: If you really want to take this the healthy route, you can swap out the ground sirloin for ground chicken or turkey instead! Either would still be delicious.**
To assemble, toss the lettuce in a large bowl with a few spoonfuls of the burger sauce, just enough to lightly coat the lettuce. This will ensure that the lettuce isn’t dry and bland.
Transfer to four serving bowls and top each bowl with the browned ground beef, crispy bacon, pickles, red onion, tomatoes, cheese, sesame seeds and more of the burger sauce.
Because I wanted this to be a no-carb meal, I omitted the bread part of the burgers, but if you don’t care about that kind of stuff and want to really hone in on that burger flavor, you can add a few croutons (homemade or store-bought) on top.
Keep this recipe in mind all summer long, especially if you’re in need of a delicious (somewhat healthier) weeknight meal that comes together in no time. It’s so simple but so delicious. I can’t recommend it enough. Give it a try and let me know what you think! Also, don’t forget to enter the Giveaway on Instagram for that Instant Pot!
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 1 teaspoon mustard
- 1 tablespoon ketchup
- 1 tablespoon dill pickle relish
- 1 teaspoon white vinegar
- ¼ teaspoon granulated onion
- ¼ teaspoon granulated garlic
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- Kosher salt and coarse ground black pepper
- 6 strips bacon, diced
- 1 pound ground sirloin
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ¾ teaspoon coarse ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon granulated onion
- ½ teaspoon granulated garlic
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 8 ounces red leaf lettuce, chopped
- ½ cup hamburger pickles, drained
- ½ red onion, thinly sliced
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
- 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds
- To make the burger sauce, in a small bowl stir together all of the ingredients until well-combined. Give it a taste and adjust seasoning accordingly, adding more salt or pepper if needed. Cover with plastic wrap and store in the fridge until ready to serve.
- Set a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the bacon and cook, stirring often, until crispy about 5 to 8 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the bacon onto a plate lined with paper towels. Drain all but 1 tablespoon of the fat, and crumble in the ground beef. Using a wooden spoon, break up the beef and cook until crispy and no longer pink, about 10 to 12 minutes. Season with salt, pepper, onion, garlic, and Worcestershire sauce. Remove from heat and cool slightly.
- To assemble, toss the lettuce in a large bowl with a few spoonfuls of the burger sauce. Transfer to 4 serving bowls and top each with the ground beef, bacon, pickles, red onion, tomatoes, cheese, sesame seeds and more of the burger sauce. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Anything you post Bacon Cheeseburger you post I make. Did this tonight. Excellent!