California Burger Bowls are grilled burgers served without the roll in a bowl along with lettuce, onions, fresh tomatoes, and sliced avocado for a low-carb and filling and nutritious meal.
This burger bowl is like a hamburger salad, and it is one of the easiest and quickest dinners to make.There are only a few simple ingredients needed, and in less than an hour you can have this bowl on your dinner table. Here is what you will need to make this California Burger in a bowl: ground beef, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, avocado, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, garlic, sea salt and pepper.
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Barbecue season is here, and it’s time to fire up the grill and make some burgers! I enjoy my burgers loaded up with the fixings and and I like to skip the bread so I can add even more fixings. This is one of our favorite quick summer meals, it’s just perfect for busy nights during the week or if it’s just too hot to cook a big meal.
You can assemble the fixings in bowls while the burgers are cooking. Once the burgers are cooked, add them to the bowl and top with salad dressing.
Here is how to make California Burger Bowls
Please note that this a list of steps to give you an idea how to make this recipe. Full details are in the recipe card below.
- Heat the grill and form the ground beef into patties
- Cook the hamburger patties
- While the hamburgers are cooking, add the vegetables to a bowl and mix up the dressing
- Once the burgers are cooked add them to the bowl
Total Estimated Time Start to Finish: 20 to 30 Minutes
California Burger Bowl Tips and Variations
The best beef to use in burger bowls
- I prefer grass-fed ground beef (chuck, round or sirloin) to make our burgers. Grass-fed beef is a leaner and healthier option. Grass-fed beef should be cooked over low heat, and served rare to medium for optimum flavor.
- If you don’t have access to grass-fed beef, a good leaner cut of ground round or sirloin will work or check out the beef selection at ButcherBox
Alternative Burger Choices
- You can use any kind of burger in a burger bowl. Try these Spinach and Feta Turkey Burgers, these Mushroom Veggie Burgers or any of your favorite burgers.
Change It Up
- Instead of the salad dressing, add salsa to the bowl and a little bit of shredded cheddar cheese for a Tex-Mex burger bowl.
- Leave out the avocado slices, add diced cucumbers, olives and feta cheese crumbles for a Greek burger bowl.
- Replace the balsamic vinegar with either red wine vinegar or lemon juice in the salad dressing
- Add a teaspoon of maple syrup to the dressing for a touch of sweetness or try a teaspoon of dijon mustard for a creamy texture or add both.
You Might Like These Bowl Recipes
- Sushi Bowl
- Southwest Chipotle Tuna Bowl
California Burger Bowl
Grilled grass-fed beef burgers served in a bowl with lettuce, tomatoes, onions, and avocado; a refreshing dinner.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 12 mins
- Total Time: 22 mins
- Yield: 4 1x
Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef – preferably grass fed
- 2 tablespoons shredded onion
- sprinkle of sea salt and pepper
- 1 head of Lettuce of your choice (field greens or romaine work well)
- 1 to 2 tomatoes
- 1 red onion sliced
- 1 avocado
- DRESSING
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 1/3 cup balsamic vinegar
- 1 clove crushed garlic
Instructions
- add the the 2 tablespoons of shredded onions to the ground beef and form into 4 patties
- sprinkle the patties with sea salt and pepper, and preheat the grill
- slice onion, tomato, and avocado
- place lettuce into each bowl or plate and add the sliced tomatoes, onions and avocados
- add the burgers to heated grill with a low to medium flame and cook for approximately 8 minutes, flip and cook for approximately 4 to 8 minutes more until burgers reach desired internal temperature (see notes for temps)
- while burgers are cooking make the dressing by adding all ingredients to a small mason jar and shake well
- place a burger in each bowl and top with the dressing or just plain oil and vinegar
Notes
Internal Beef Temperatures
- Rare 140 degrees
- Medium Rare 145 degrees
- Medium 160 degrees
Nutrition information is provided by Nutrifox, an online calculator and is meant to be used for informational purposes only. Even though I try to provide accurate information, these figures should still be considered as estimates.
Keywords: burger, grass fed burger, low carb burger, bowl recipe
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this is nice sans bun! I even prefer wrapping these in lettuce and eating it like a burger, also prefer grass fed beef, also helpful with internal temperatures for burger “doneness”, thank you!
Oh I like that lettuce wrap idea Sabrina! Going to have to give that a try real soon.
What a great idea, comfort food and healthy!
That’s my kinda bowl. I love burgers but usually eat mine without the bun just like this. Sounds so yum. Can’t wait to try this. So lovely.
What a fun way to make a burger a little better for you! I’m always game to eat a beautifully ripe avocado on the side of any meal, and it looks like the perfect accompaniment here!
This is so lovely, especially with that creamy avocado, I would not miss the bun whatsoever! Great meal for the grill!
Love this burger bowl! I can’t have gluten or grains so this is actually how I typically eat my burgers. So yummy and you don’t have all the carbs from the bread making you feel too full.
A great idea for a low carb version! I’m all about the toppings on my burger but hate how full the bun makes me. I’ll definitely be trying this idea!
Yum! I’m eating low carb these days so I love recipes like this that skip the bread but not the flavor.
This looks awesome. What a great combo of flavors without the carbs!
Yum, I love that you did this as a bowl, not a burger! I love all things carbs, but this is a great way to get all of the fabulous flavors without the added carbs Looks delicious
Love a good burger bowl! A great way to lighten up an otherwise indulgent meal. Delicious!
I had saved this receipe & use it when I’m in the mood for burgers, but I’m unable to find the dressing receipe that went with it. It’s so good it makes this whole burger bowl a delectable meal for me!! Would you please send me that balsamic dressing receipe? Thanks.
Hi Laura, I updated the recipe with the balsamic dressing.
I have never thought to do a burger bowl before and now I can’t wait to. That looks absolutely delicious!
Thanks Carlee!
Love that you skipped the bun. Confession: I usually take the top of the bun off my burger and eat only the bottom with the burger with a fork and knife. This is an even better, healthier alternative.
Thanks Liz!
Love this idea! So lucky that we have a farm down the street that sells grass fed beef!
There are a few farms near me too, the beef is so much better!
I LOVE burger bowls and this definitely looks like my kinda meal! I don’t ever eat the bun. The fillings are the best part!
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I totally agree!
Perfect weeknight meal! I love that dressing recipe – so simple! Thanks!
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Love how simple this is, yet there’s much flavor and texture! You put a burger and an avocado on a plate and I am a happy person. 😉
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That makes two of us!
I’m all about a healthy protein in a big bowl with some great vegetables. Love it!
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Thank you Kelly!
So simple and realistic for a weeknight meal! I love eating like this!
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Thanks Megan! We love light food too!
this is my type of meal! I love it!!
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Thank you Heather!
Love simple, healthy dinners like this! Good quality protein and lots of fresh produce – yum!
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Perfect weeknight meal for the Summer!! Thanks for sharing 🙂
I love this burger bowl! It’s a great low-carb alternative for summer cookouts. The California spin is so delicious.
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Such a great way to go bunless and keep my carbs low. Thanks 🙂
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