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Burger Bowls with Caramelized Onion Aioli Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 59 reviews

These Burger Bowls with Caramelized Onion Aioli are a fresh, low-carb twist on classic cheeseburgers, featuring juicy seasoned ground beef, a rich and sweet caramelized onion aioli, and vibrant fresh vegetables. Perfect for a flavorful, gluten-free meal that delivers all the beloved burger flavors without the bun.

Ingredients

Scale

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
  • 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

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 onions are deep golden brown and jammy, developing rich sweetness.
  2. Prepare the Burger Meat Mixture: In a large bowl, combine ground beef, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Mix gently by hand until just combined to keep the meat tender.
  3. Make the Aioli: Remove caramelized onions from heat and cool slightly. In a small bowl, mix mayonnaise, sour cream, minced garlic, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Fold in the cooled onions. Taste the aioli and adjust seasoning as needed. Refrigerate if not using immediately.
  4. Prep Fresh Vegetables: Wash and chop mixed greens or romaine lettuce. Dice tomatoes or halve cherry tomatoes. Dice cucumber and thinly slice red onion. If red onion is very sharp, soak in cold water for 10 minutes to mellow flavor. Shred the cheddar cheese if not pre-shredded.
  5. Cook the Burger Meat: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned ground beef, break it up with a wooden spoon, and cook for 8-10 minutes until browned and cooked through. Let it develop good browning by not stirring too frequently. Remove from heat and let rest.
  6. Assemble the Bowls: Start each bowl with a base of fresh greens. Top with warm seasoned ground beef in the center. Arrange diced tomatoes, cucumber, red onion slices, and dill pickle slices around the beef to create colorful sections.
  7. Add Aioli and Garnishes: Dollop caramelized onion aioli generously on top of each bowl. Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese and fresh chopped chives over the bowls. Serve immediately with extra aioli on the side if desired.

Notes

  • Use 80/20 ground beef for the best balance of flavor and juiciness; 85/15 is a leaner alternative.
  • Caramelizing onions low and slow is essential to develop deep sweetness—do not rush this step.
  • Make the aioli ahead up to 3 days in advance and refrigerate for convenience.
  • If red onion is too sharp, soaking in cold water helps mellow the bite.
  • Freshly shredded cheddar melts better and offers superior texture compared to pre-shredded.
  • This recipe is naturally gluten-free and low-carb by skipping the traditional bun.

Keywords: burger bowl, caramelized onion aioli, low carb burger, gluten free burger, ground beef recipe, no bun burger, healthy burger bowl

Find it online: https://dinewithlily.com/burger-bowls-with-caramelized-onion-aioli-recipe/