Burger Bowl

Burger Bowl

Ingredients: makes 5 servings

• 1 large head of green leaf lettuce, washed, dried, and chopped

• 3 Roma tomatoes, sliced (I used ½ tomato per bowl, but use as much as you want!)

• 1 lb extra lean ground beef (94/6)

• 1 tbsp garlic (fresh or minced)

• 1 large white onion, thinly sliced

• 2 large sweet potatoes (600 g total), washed and cubed

• into ½-inch pieces (keep cubes uniform for even cooking)

• Spray oil

Homemade pickles:

• 2 large cucumbers, thinly sliced

• 2 cups water

• 2/3 cup white vinegar

• 4 tbsp sugar

• 2–3 tsp salt

Toppings: chipotle mayo or burger sauce of choice, green onion

Seasoning: paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, McCormick roasted red pepper and garlic seasoning, salt, pepper

Instructions:

Pickled cucumber:

In a large container, combine water, vinegar, sugar, and salt. Mix until fully dissolved. Add cucumbers, ensuring they are submerged. Refrigerate at least 30 minutes (best after a few hours). Keeps well for several days.

Meat:

Heat a pan over medium heat. Add ground beef and break apart. Cook until browned. Drain excess fat if needed. Add garlic and season generously with paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and roasted red pepper seasoning. Cook 1–2 more minutes to develop flavor. Set aside.

Caramelized onion:
In the same pan, reduce heat to medium-low. Add onions with a small amount of oil. Cook slowly, stirring frequently, until soft and golden brown (about 15–20 minutes). Add a pinch of salt to help draw out moisture. If onions start to stick, add a splash of water to deglaze. Set aside.

Sweet potatoes:

If meal prepping:

• Wash and cube sweet potatoes. Divide into 5 equal raw portions (store raw portions in airtight containers or bags).

• Do not cook all at once, as they will lose texture.

  When ready to eat:

• Place 1 portion in air fryer basket. Spray generously with oil. Season with salt and pepper only (other seasonings may burn).

• Air fry at 300°F for 10–15 minutes until fork-tender, shaking and respraying halfway.

• Increase heat to 375°F and cook an additional 2–4 minutes until browned and crispy.

If not meal prepping:

• Toss all sweet potatoes with spray oil, salt, and pepper.
  Air fry in batches at 300°F until soft, shaking occasionally.
  Finish at 375°F until crispy. Larger batches will require more time. Do not overcrowd the basket.

Meal prep notes:
Divide into 5 portions:

• meat

• caramelized onions

• raw sweet potatoes (keep separate)

Store lettuce and tomatoes separately to keep them fresh and prevent sogginess.

Store pickled cucumbers in their liquid.

Reheat meat and onions before serving.

Assembly:

• In a large bowl, layer lettuce, sweet potatoes, meat, caramelized onions, pickled cucumbers, and tomatoes.

• Drizzle with chipotle mayo or burger sauce and top with green onion. Adjust ratios based on preference.

Macros: 373 kcal, 22 g protein, 38 g carbs, 14 g fat, 6 g fiber