Burger Bowls with Caramelized Onion Aioli Recipe

Introduction

Burger bowls with caramelized onion aioli offer all the delicious flavors of a classic burger without the bun. This dish is fresh, satisfying, and packed with savory beef, crisp vegetables, and a rich, sweet aioli that elevates every bite.

Ingredients

• 1½ Pounds Ground Beef (80/20 blend)
• 1 Tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce
• 1 Teaspoon Garlic Powder
• 1 Teaspoon Onion Powder
• 1 Teaspoon Smoked Paprika
• 1 Teaspoon Salt
• ½ Teaspoon Black Pepper
• 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
• 2 Large Yellow Onions (thinly sliced)
• 2 Tablespoons Butter
• 1 Tablespoon Brown Sugar
• ½ Cup Mayonnaise
• 2 Tablespoons Sour Cream
• 1 Garlic Clove (minced)
• 1 Tablespoon Fresh Lemon Juice
• ½ Teaspoon Salt (or to taste)
• ¼ Teaspoon Black Pepper
• 6 Cups Mixed Greens or Chopped Romaine Lettuce
• 2 Large Tomatoes (diced) or 2 Cups Cherry Tomatoes (halved)
• 1 Large Cucumber (diced)
• ½ Large Red Onion (thinly sliced)
• 1 Cup Shredded Cheddar Cheese
• ½ Cup Dill Pickle Slices
• ¼ Cup Fresh Chives (chopped)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat butter in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Add thinly sliced onions and brown sugar, stirring to coat. Cook slowly for 25-30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until onions are deep golden brown and jammy.
2. Step 2: In a large bowl, combine ground beef, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Mix gently with your hands until just combined.
3. Step 3: Remove caramelized onions from heat and let cool slightly. In a small bowl, mix mayonnaise, sour cream, minced garlic, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Stir in the cooled caramelized onions. Adjust seasoning as needed.
4. Step 4: Wash and chop lettuce, dice tomatoes and cucumber, and thinly slice red onion. Arrange in bowls for easy assembly. Shred cheese if not using pre-shredded.
5. Step 5: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add seasoned ground beef, breaking it up with a wooden spoon. Cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until browned and cooked through.
6. Step 6: Remove meat from heat and let rest a few minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.
7. Step 7: Start each bowl with a base of fresh lettuce.
8. Step 8: Top lettuce with a portion of warm cooked ground beef.
9. Step 9: Arrange diced tomatoes, cucumber, sliced red onion, and pickle slices around the beef in sections.
10. Step 10: Add a dollop of caramelized onion aioli on top of each bowl. Sprinkle with shredded cheddar cheese and chopped chives. Serve immediately with extra aioli on the side.

Tips & Variations

• Use freshly ground beef for the best flavor and juicy texture; avoid overmixing the meat to keep it tender.
• Caramelize onions slowly over low heat to develop deep, rich flavor without burning.
• Substitute Greek yogurt for sour cream in the aioli for a lighter option.
• Add avocado slices or crispy bacon for additional richness and texture.
• If you prefer, form the beef mixture into patties instead of crumbled meat for a different presentation.

Storage

Store any leftover cooked beef and aioli separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Keep fresh vegetables apart to maintain crispness. Reheat the beef gently in a skillet or microwave until warm. The aioli can be served cold or at room temperature.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use leaner ground beef for this recipe?

Yes, you can use leaner ground beef such as 85/15, but the 80/20 blend provides the best flavor and juiciness. If using leaner beef, consider adding a bit more olive oil during cooking to prevent drying out.

Can I make the aioli ahead of time?

Absolutely. The caramelized onion aioli can be made up to 3 days in advance and stored in the refrigerator. This allows the flavors to meld beautifully and saves time when assembling the bowls.

Burger Bowls with Caramelized Onion Aioli Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

5 from 64 reviews

These Burger Bowls with Caramelized Onion Aioli are a delicious low-carb alternative to traditional burgers, combining juicy seasoned ground beef with a rich and sweet homemade caramelized onion aioli. Assembled over a bed of fresh greens and vibrant veggies, topped with sharp cheddar and fresh chives, each bowl offers a flavorful and satisfying meal that captures all the best burger elements without the bun.

• Author: zara
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Low Carb

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

For the Burger Meat:

• 1½ Pounds Ground Beef (80/20 blend)
• 1 Tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce
• 1 Teaspoon Garlic Powder
• 1 Teaspoon Onion Powder
• 1 Teaspoon Smoked Paprika
• 1 Teaspoon Salt
• ½ Teaspoon Black Pepper
• 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil

For the Caramelized Onion Aioli:

• 2 Large Yellow Onions (thinly sliced)
• 2 Tablespoons Butter
• 1 Tablespoon Brown Sugar
• ½ Cup Mayonnaise
• 2 Tablespoons Sour Cream
• 1 Garlic Clove (minced)
• 1 Tablespoon Fresh Lemon Juice
• ½ Teaspoon Salt (or to taste)
• ¼ Teaspoon Black Pepper

For the Bowl Assembly:

• 6 Cups Mixed Greens or Chopped Romaine Lettuce
• 2 Large Tomatoes (diced) or 2 Cups Cherry Tomatoes (halved)
• 1 Large Cucumber (diced)
• ½ Large Red Onion (thinly sliced)
• 1 Cup Shredded Cheddar Cheese
• ½ Cup Dill Pickle Slices
• ¼ Cup Fresh Chives (chopped)

Instructions

1. Caramelize the Onions: Heat butter in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Add thinly sliced yellow onions and brown sugar, stirring to coat. Cook slowly, stirring occasionally for 25-30 minutes until the onions are deep golden brown and jammy, developing rich sweetness. Patience is key to perfect caramelization.
2. Prepare the Burger Meat Mixture: In a large bowl, combine ground beef with Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Gently mix with your hands just until ingredients are fully incorporated to avoid toughening the meat.
3. Make the Caramelized Onion Aioli: Remove caramelized onions from heat and allow to cool slightly. In a small bowl, stir together mayonnaise, sour cream, minced garlic, fresh lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Fold in the cooled caramelized onions. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. The aioli can be made ahead and stored refrigerated for up to 3 days.
4. Prepare the Fresh Vegetables: Wash and chop the mixed greens or romaine. Dice the tomatoes (or halve cherry tomatoes), dice the cucumber, and thinly slice the red onion. Arrange all vegetables separately for easy bowl assembly. Shred your cheddar cheese fresh if not pre-shredded.
5. Cook the Ground Beef: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned beef, breaking it up with a wooden spoon. Cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, allowing the meat to brown well and cook through. Avoid stirring too often for better browning and flavor.
6. Rest and Season the Meat: Remove the cooked beef from heat and let it rest for a few minutes. Taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary to ensure a flavorful base for the bowls.
7. Assemble the Bowls: Place a generous bed of fresh lettuce at the bottom of each serving bowl for crispness and freshness.
8. Add the Cooked Beef: Spoon a portion of the warm, browned ground beef onto the center of the lettuce in each bowl.
9. Add the Vegetables and Pickles: Arrange the diced tomatoes, cucumber, sliced red onion, and dill pickle slices around the meat to create colorful, distinct sections in each bowl.
10. Finish with Aioli, Cheese, and Chives: Top each bowl with a generous dollop of the caramelized onion aioli, sprinkle with shredded sharp cheddar cheese, and garnish with fresh chopped chives. Serve immediately with extra aioli on the side for additional flavor.

Notes

• Low and slow cooking is essential for deeply caramelized onions; do not rush with high heat.
• Mixing the burger meat gently preserves tenderness.
• Make the aioli in advance to let flavors meld and save prep time.
• Use freshly ground pepper for best aroma and flavor.
• For a leaner burger, 85/15 ground beef can be used but 80/20 provides juicier results.
• If red onion is too sharp, soak slices in cold water for 10 minutes before assembling.
• Freshly shredded cheddar melts better and tastes superior to pre-shredded varieties.
• Store leftover aioli in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Keywords: burger bowl, caramelized onion aioli, low carb burger, ground beef recipe, healthy burger alternative, no bun burger, keto burger bowl, quick dinner, easy burger recipe