Skip the bun! These Easy Smash Burger Bowls are loaded with crispy seasoned beef, melty cheddar, fresh veggies, pickles, and a creamy homemade burger sauce for the ultimate 20-minute dinner. Easy, family-friendly, and packed with flavor!
Serves 4
Ingredients
For the burgers
- 1½ lbs lean ground beef (85/15 or 90/10)
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
For the bowls
- 8 cups chopped romaine lettuce
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1½ cups diced dill pickles
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ small red onion, thinly sliced
- Optional: avocado slices or crispy bacon
Burger Sauce
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 2 tbsp ketchup
- 1 tbsp yellow mustard
- 1 tbsp finely diced dill pickles or relish
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- ¼ tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp pickle juice
Instructions
- Stir together all of the burger sauce ingredients and refrigerate while preparing the bowls.
- Season the ground beef with the salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and Worcestershire sauce. Divide into 8 equal portions and gently roll into balls.
- Heat a cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat until very hot. Place the beef balls into the skillet and immediately smash them flat using a sturdy spatula. Cook 2–3 minutes until a deep golden crust forms, then flip and cook another 1–2 minutes.
- Chop the cooked smash burgers into bite-sized pieces.
- Divide the romaine among four bowls. Top with tomatoes, pickles, cheddar, and red onion.
- Add the chopped smash burger pieces and drizzle generously with the burger sauce.
- Serve immediately with extra pickles if desired.
Optional Add-Ins
- Crispy bacon
- Sautéed mushrooms
- Jalapeños
- Pepper jack cheese
- Dill pickle chips
- Air-fried diced potatoes for a heartier version
Tips
- A screaming hot cast-iron skillet is the secret to getting those crispy, caramelized smash burger edges.
- Don’t overcrowd the pan—cook in batches if needed.
- Chill the sauce for 15 minutes before serving for even better flavor.
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