Smash Burger Bowl: High Protein Low Carb Dinner (Print Version)
Smash burger bowl packed with juicy beef, crisp lettuce, pickles, and special sauce high protein, low carb, ready in 20 minutes.
# Recipe Info:
Prep Time: 10 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 10 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 2 Servings
Difficulty: Beginner
Cuisine: American
Dietary: Gluten-Free
# Ingredients:
→ Smashed Beef Patties
01 -
3/4 lb 80/20 ground beef
02 -
1/2 tsp garlic powder
03 -
1/2 tsp onion powder
04 -
1/2 tsp smoked paprika
05 -
Salt and pepper to taste
06 -
1 tbsp avocado oil
→ Crisp Bowl Base
07 -
4 cups shredded romaine lettuce
08 -
1 cup shredded purple cabbage
09 -
1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
10 -
1/4 cup dill pickle slices
→ Melty Burger Toppings
11 -
2 slices American cheese
12 -
1/4 cup white onion, thinly sliced
13 -
2 strips bacon, cooked and crumbled
→ Smash Sauce Drizzle
14 -
3 tbsp mayonnaise
15 -
1 tbsp yellow mustard
16 -
1 tbsp sugar-free ketchup
17 -
1 tsp dill pickle brine
18 -
1/4 tsp garlic powder
# Instructions:
01 -
In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp mayonnaise, 1 tbsp yellow mustard, 1 tbsp sugar-free ketchup, 1 tsp dill pickle brine, and 1/4 tsp garlic powder until smooth. Refrigerate your Smash Burger Bowl: High Protein, Low Carb Dinner sauce while you prep everything else.
02 -
Divide 4 cups shredded romaine lettuce and 1 cup shredded purple cabbage evenly between two large bowls. Top each with 1/4 cup halved cherry tomatoes and 2 tbsp dill pickle slices. Set aside while you cook the beef.
03 -
Divide 3/4 lb 80/20 ground beef into 4 equal loose balls — do not overwork the meat. Season generously with 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1/2 tsp onion powder, 1/2 tsp smoked paprika, and salt and pepper to taste across all portions.
04 -
Heat 1 tbsp avocado oil in a cast iron skillet over high heat until smoking. Add beef balls and immediately smash flat with a spatula. Cook 2 minutes until deeply browned, then flip. For the best Smash Burger Bowl: High Protein, Low Carb Dinner, that hard sear is everything.
05 -
Immediately after flipping the patties, lay 1 slice of American cheese across every two patties, letting it melt over the edges. Add 1/4 cup thinly sliced white onion directly to the hot skillet alongside the patties and cook 1 minute until softened and slightly caramelized.
06 -
Place two cheesy smash patties on top of each prepared bowl base. This Smash Burger Bowl: High Protein, Low Carb Dinner comes together fast — top each bowl with half the crumbled bacon strips and the sautéed white onion slices for maximum burger flavor.
07 -
Pull your chilled smash sauce from the fridge and drizzle generously over both bowls. Serve immediately while the patties are hot and the lettuce stays crisp. This Smash Burger Bowl: High Protein, Low Carb Dinner delivers all the smash burger satisfaction with zero bun guilt.
# Notes:
01 -
🔥 Cast Iron is Key: A cast iron skillet gets screaming hot and gives your smash patties that signature dark, crispy crust. A stainless steel pan works too — just avoid nonstick, which can't handle the high heat needed for a proper sear.
02 -
🥓 Bacon Shortcut: Cook your bacon strips in the microwave between paper towels for 3–4 minutes before starting anything else. It saves time and keeps your stovetop free for the beef.
03 -
🧀 Cheese Swap: American cheese melts beautifully and is classic for smash burgers, but sharp cheddar or pepper jack work great if you prefer a bolder flavor. Just add it right after the flip so it has time to fully melt.
04 -
🥡 Storage Tip: Store leftover beef patties and bowl components separately in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat patties in a hot skillet for 1–2 minutes to restore the crust, and keep the lettuce base fresh by dressing it only right before serving.
# Tools You'll Need:
01 -
cast iron skillet or heavy-bottomed pan
02 -
spatula
03 -
mixing bowls
04 -
cutting board
05 -
chef's knife
06 -
small whisk
# Nutrition Facts (Per Serving):
Calories: 620 kcal
Total Fat: 47 g
Total Carbohydrate: 9 g
Protein: 42 g