About This Recipe

If you’re craving the comfort of a juicy cheeseburger but want to stay keto, this Keto Cheeseburger Bowl is the answer. It takes everything you love about a classic cheeseburger—the seasoned beef, gooey cheese, crisp veggies, and tangy sauce—and serves it up in a low-carb, bun-free bowl that’s both satisfying and nourishing.

This recipe is perfect for busy weeknights since it comes together in about 20 minutes, yet it’s filling enough to keep you satisfied for hours. The base is simple: ground beef cooked with a little onion powder, garlic powder, and salt. Once cooked, it’s layered over fresh shredded lettuce, juicy tomatoes, crunchy pickles, and creamy avocado. A generous sprinkle of shredded cheddar ties it all together.

But the real star of the dish is the burger sauce—a keto-friendly version of the classic “special sauce.” Made with mayonnaise, sugar-free ketchup, and a touch of mustard, it adds a creamy, tangy kick that makes this bowl taste like your favorite fast-food indulgence, but without the carbs.

Not only is this dish delicious, it’s also easy to customize. Swap the ground beef for ground turkey or chicken, use different cheeses, or add toppings like bacon, jalapeños, or fried eggs for a fun twist. It’s also a great meal prep option since you can cook the beef in advance and assemble the bowls fresh when ready to eat.

Nutritionally, the Keto Cheeseburger Bowl is high in protein and healthy fats while staying low in carbs, making it an ideal meal for anyone following a ketogenic lifestyle. It’s proof that you don’t have to give up your favorite comfort foods on keto—you just have to get creative.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

All the cheeseburger flavor without the carbs 🍔
Quick and easy—ready in 20 minutes
Perfect for meal prep or busy weeknights
Customizable with endless toppings
Low-carb, high-protein, keto-approved

Servings: 4

Ingredients

For the beef:

1 lb (450 g) ground beef (80/20 recommended)
1/2 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp garlic powder
Salt & pepper, to taste

For the bowls:

4 cups shredded romaine lettuce
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1 cup dill pickles, sliced
1 avocado, diced
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced

For the burger sauce:

1/3 cup mayonnaise
2 tbsp sugar-free ketchup
1 tsp yellow mustard
1/2 tsp smoked paprika

Instructions

Heat a skillet over medium heat. Add ground beef, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Cook until browned, breaking it into crumbles.
While the beef cooks, prepare the sauce by mixing mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, and paprika in a small bowl. Set aside.
Divide shredded lettuce between four bowls.
Top each bowl with cooked beef, cherry tomatoes, pickles, avocado, red onion, and shredded cheddar.
Drizzle with burger sauce and serve immediately.

Nutrition

(per serving)

Calories: ~480
Fat: 36 g
Protein: 28 g
Net Carbs: 6 g
Fiber: 4 g

FAQ

Can I make this with turkey or chicken instead of beef?
Yes, ground turkey or chicken works great.

Can I meal prep this recipe?
Yes, store the cooked beef separately and assemble bowls fresh for best texture.

Can I use a different cheese?
Absolutely—try Swiss, pepper jack, or mozzarella.

Is the sauce necessary?
It really makes the dish taste like a cheeseburger, but you can swap for ranch or blue cheese dressing.

Variations & Substitutions

Add crispy bacon for extra flavor 🥓
Top with a fried egg for a breakfast-for-dinner version 🍳
Swap lettuce for spinach or arugula
Add jalapeños for a spicy kick 🌶️

Serving Suggestions

Serve with keto fries or zucchini fries on the side
Pair with sparkling water or a keto soda for diner vibes
Make it a double cheeseburger bowl with extra beef and cheese
Enjoy as a family-style DIY burger bowl night

Recipe Card

Keto Cheeseburger Bowl – Low Carb Bunless Burger

Name: Keto Cheeseburger Bowl – Low Carb Bunless Burger
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Low Carb / Keto
Ingredients: 1 lb (450 g) ground beef (80/20 recommended); 1/2 tsp onion powder; 1/2 tsp garlic powder; Salt & pepper, to taste; 4 cups shredded romaine lettuce; 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved; 1 cup dill pickles, sliced; 1 avocado, diced; 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese; 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced; 1/3 cup mayonnaise; 2 tbsp sugar-free ketchup; 1 tsp yellow mustard; 1/2 tsp smoked paprika

All the flavors of a cheeseburger—without the bun! This keto cheeseburger bowl is loaded with seasoned beef, melty cheese, fresh veggies, and a tangy burger sauce.

Yield: 4 servings • Prep: 10 min • Cook: 10 min • Total: 20 min

Ingredients

1 lb (450 g) ground beef (80/20 recommended)
1/2 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp garlic powder
Salt & pepper, to taste
4 cups shredded romaine lettuce
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1 cup dill pickles, sliced
1 avocado, diced
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
1/3 cup mayonnaise
2 tbsp sugar-free ketchup
1 tsp yellow mustard
1/2 tsp smoked paprika

Instructions

Heat a skillet over medium heat. Add ground beef, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Cook until browned, breaking it into crumbles.
While the beef cooks, prepare the sauce by mixing mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, and paprika in a small bowl. Set aside.
Divide shredded lettuce between four bowls.
Top each bowl with cooked beef, cherry tomatoes, pickles, avocado, red onion, and shredded cheddar.
Drizzle with burger sauce and serve immediately.

Nutrition (per serving)

Calories: 480
Fat: 36 g
Protein: 28 g
Net Carbs: 6 g
Fiber: 4 g

Dinner • Low Carb / Keto • keto cheeseburger bowl, low carb cheeseburger salad, bunless burger bowl, keto dinner

Final Thoughts

This Keto Cheeseburger Bowl is proof you don’t need a bun to enjoy the ultimate comfort food 🍔✨. Pin it, share it, and dig in—you’ll want this in your dinner rotation every week!