Burger Bowls with Caramelized Onion Aioli Recipe

Introduction

Burger bowls with caramelized onion aioli offer all the hearty flavors of a classic burger without the bun. This fresh, colorful dish combines juicy seasoned beef, crisp vegetables, sharp cheddar, and a rich, sweet onion aioli for a satisfying meal that’s perfect anytime.

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 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 just until 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 onions and adjust seasoning as needed.
4. Step 4: Wash and prepare all vegetables: chop lettuce, dice tomatoes and cucumber, thinly slice red onion. Arrange in separate bowls for easy assembly. Shred cheddar if not pre-shredded.
5. Step 5: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add seasoned ground beef, break it up with a wooden spoon, and cook 8–10 minutes until browned and cooked through, stirring occasionally.
6. Step 6: Remove cooked meat from heat and let rest for a few minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.
7. Step 7: To assemble, start with a base of lettuce in each bowl. Top with warm ground beef in the center.
8. Step 8: Arrange tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, and pickles around the beef in sections for a colorful presentation.
9. Step 9: Add a dollop of caramelized onion aioli on top, then sprinkle with shredded cheddar and chopped chives.
10. Step 10: Serve immediately, with extra aioli on the side for added flavor.

Tips & Variations

• Use Hungarian smoked paprika for deeper smoky flavor, or substitute regular paprika if unavailable.
• Soak sliced red onions in cold water for 10 minutes if you prefer a milder flavor.
• Make the caramelized onion aioli up to 3 days in advance and store refrigerated to save time.
• Swap cheddar cheese for pepper jack or Swiss for a different twist.
• For a leaner option, use 85/15 ground beef, but expect slightly less juiciness.

Storage

Store leftover burger meat and aioli separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Fresh vegetables are best used immediately but can be kept refrigerated for 1–2 days if prepped in advance. Reheat the beef gently in a skillet or microwave before assembling new bowls.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef?

Yes, ground turkey or chicken can be used, but they have lower fat content, so expect a leaner result. Adjust cooking time accordingly and consider adding a bit of olive oil to keep the meat moist.

What can I substitute for mayonnaise in the aioli?

You can replace mayonnaise with Greek yogurt for a lighter version, though the flavor will be tangier. Adjust the amount of lemon juice and seasoning to balance the taste.

Burger Bowls with Caramelized Onion Aioli Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 64 reviews

These Burger Bowls with Caramelized Onion Aioli are a fresh, low-carb twist on classic burgers. Ground beef seasoned with smoky paprika and Worcestershire sizzle in a skillet to juicy perfection, while sweet, slow-caramelized onions enrich a creamy, tangy aioli. Served atop crisp greens with fresh vegetables, crunchy pickles, and sharp cheddar cheese, these bowls deliver all the flavor of a burger without the bun.

• Author: Marco
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Main Dish
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Gluten Free

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

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

Caramelized Onion Aioli

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

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 Onions: Heat butter in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Add the thinly sliced onions and brown sugar, stirring to coat. Cook slowly, stirring occasionally, for 25-30 minutes until onions are deep golden brown and jammy. Low and slow heat is key to develop rich sweetness.
2. Prepare Burger Meat: Meanwhile, combine ground beef, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper in a large bowl. Mix gently with your hands until just combined to avoid tough meat.
3. Make Aioli: 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 thoroughly. Taste and adjust seasoning. Refrigerate if not using immediately (up to 3 days).
4. Prep Vegetables: Wash and chop lettuce; dice tomatoes and cucumber; thinly slice red onion. Arrange all vegetables separately for easy assembly. Shred cheddar cheese if needed.
5. Cook Burger Meat: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add seasoned ground beef and break it up with a wooden spoon as it cooks. Cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until well browned and cooked through. Allow browning by not stirring too frequently.
6. Rest Meat and Adjust Seasoning: Remove skillet from heat and let meat rest a few minutes. Taste and add salt or pepper if necessary. The meat should be juicy and flavorful.
7. Assemble Bowls: Place a generous base of fresh lettuce in each serving bowl to provide freshness and crunch.
8. Add Meat: Spoon warm cooked ground beef onto the lettuce in each bowl.
9. Arrange Vegetables: Surround the meat with diced tomatoes, cucumber, sliced red onion, and pickle slices, creating colorful, accessible sections.
10. Finish and Serve: Top each bowl with a generous dollop of caramelized onion aioli, sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese and fresh chives. Serve immediately with extra aioli on the side.

Notes

• Use 80/20 ground beef for best juiciness and flavor, though 85/15 can be used for leaner meat.
• Slowly caramelizing onions is critical to develop deep sweetness and complex flavor; don’t rush by increasing heat.
• The aioli can be prepared a day ahead to allow flavors to meld and can be refrigerated for up to 3 days.
• Use fresh lemon juice rather than bottled for best brightness and acidity.
• English cucumbers are preferred due to thin skins and fewer seeds but regular cucumbers work if peeled.
• For milder onion flavor, soak sliced red onions in cold water before adding to bowls.
• Shredding your own cheese provides better melting and flavor than pre-shredded.
• This recipe is naturally gluten-free and low-carb without needing bread buns.

Keywords: burger bowls, caramelized onion aioli, ground beef recipe, low carb burger, gluten free burger, stovetop burger, low carb meal