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Cheeseburger Protein Bowls - A Simple, Satisfying Weeknight Meal

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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • For the beef: 1 lb (450 g) lean ground beef (90%+ preferred)
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce (optional, but adds depth)
  • For the bowls: 4 cups chopped romaine or mixed greens (or warm cooked rice/quinoa for a grain base)
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
  • 1 cup dill pickles, sliced
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar or Colby Jack cheese
  • 1 ripe avocado, sliced or cubed
  • 1/2 cup corn kernels (optional, fresh or thawed frozen)
  • Sesame seeds, for garnish (optional)
  • “Burger sauce” dressing: 1/3 cup plain Greek yogurt
  • 1/4 cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tbsp ketchup
  • 1 tbsp yellow mustard
  • 1 tbsp dill pickle brine (or 1 tsp white vinegar)
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika (or regular paprika)
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • Pinch of salt and pepper, to taste

Method
 

  1. Make the sauce: In a small bowl, whisk Greek yogurt, mayo, ketchup, mustard, pickle brine, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Adjust tang with more brine and sweetness with more ketchup if you like. Chill while you cook the beef.
  2. Season the beef: In a mixing bowl, combine ground beef with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and Worcestershire sauce. Mix gently—overmixing can make it dense.
  3. Cook the beef: Heat a large skillet over medium-high. Add the beef and break it into crumbles. Cook 6–8 minutes until browned with crispy bits, stirring occasionally. Drain excess fat if needed.
  4. Warm the base (optional): If using grains, warm them in the microwave or a skillet with a splash of water. If using greens, keep them cold and crisp.
  5. Prep the veggies: Halve tomatoes, slice red onion and pickles, and cube avocado. Keep components in small bowls for fast assembly.
  6. Assemble the bowls: Add greens or grains to each bowl. Top with a generous scoop of beef, tomatoes, onion, pickles, avocado, and corn. Sprinkle cheese over the hot beef so it softens slightly.
  7. Finish with sauce: Drizzle the burger sauce over the top. Garnish with sesame seeds for that “bun” vibe, if you like.
  8. Taste and tweak: Add a pinch of salt, an extra swipe of mustard, or more pickles to brighten things up.