Burger Bowls with Cauliflower Rice

I've been putting together some easy recipes for my kids, who are now living on their own back in New York.

This is the kind of meal I usually make for myself, but I wanted to share how easy it is to put together a healthy lunch that tastes good and looks pretty too.

I like to make big bowls like this when I have fresh vegetables and a good protein in the refrigerator. These veggie burger bowls are a simple way to eat more vegetables and cut back on gluten, sugar, and unhealthy fats.

I've left out the cheese, but feel free to add some.

Make two bowls and you'll have lunch ready for today and another one waiting for dinner.

Ingredients

You can buy cauliflower rice in the produce section of your grocery store to make this even easier.

See the recipe card below for exact amounts.

• Ground beef, preferably pasture-raised
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• Cauliflower florets or fresh or frozen cauliflower rice
• Butter
• Grated carrots
• Shredded cabbage
• Diced cucumber
• Blueberries, raspberries, sliced strawberries, or a combination
• Chopped parsley, cilantro, or other fresh herbs
• Your favorite salad dressing

How To Make Beef Burger Bowls

• Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Divide the ground beef into four equal portions and shape each one into a patty. Season both sides with salt and pepper.
• Cook the burgers for 4 to 5 minutes on the first side. Flip and cook for another 2 to 3 minutes, for medium rare.
• Transfer the burgers to a plate and let them rest for 5 minutes.
• Meanwhile, prepare the cauliflower rice. Place the cauliflower florets in a food processor and pulse until they are broken into small pieces that resemble rice. Work in batches to keep the cauliflower from becoming wet or mushy. Skip this step when using packaged cauliflower rice.

• Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the cauliflower rice and season lightly with salt. Cover and cook for 3 minutes. Remove the lid, stir, and cook for another 2 to 3 minutes, or until the cauliflower is tender and any excess moisture has evaporated.
• Divide the warm cauliflower rice among four bowls. Top each bowl with a whole burger patty, sliced burger, or large pieces of cooked beef.
• Arrange the carrots, cabbage, cucumber, and berries around the meat. Sprinkle with the chopped herbs and drizzle with salad dressing. Season with additional salt and pepper as needed and serve warm.

There is no cheese in this bowl, and it doesn't need it. Good fresh beef has plenty of flavor on its own.

Storage and Reheating

• Store the cooked beef and cauliflower rice together in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
• Keep the cabbage, carrots, cucumber, and berries in a separate container so they stay crisp.
• Reheat the beef and cauliflower rice in a skillet over medium-low heat or in the microwave until hot. Add the fresh vegetables and berries after reheating.
• Serve the burger bowl as they are, or add your favorite dressing at the table.

How to Customize Your Burger Bowl

A burger bowl is easy to change depending on what you have in the refrigerator. Start with cauliflower rice or shredded lettuce, add a cooked burger, and fill the rest of the bowl with fresh vegetables.

Good choices include grated carrots, cucumbers, tomatoes, lettuce, red onion, pickles, or roasted vegetables. You can also add berries, avocado, cheese, or a spoonful of sour cream.

Finish the bowl with your favorite salad dressing, burger sauce, whole grain mustard, or a homemade vinaigrette.

More Healthy Meal Ideas

I've been making a lot of cilantro lime cauliflower rice this month. It tastes great, uses butter for the fat, and is very low in calories.

If you like this bowl, give it a try. I portion the leftovers into single servings, keep them in the freezer, and pull one out whenever I need an easy side or healthy snack.

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