Bunless Burger Bowl

Bunless Hamburger Bowl with Sriracha Sauce

Bread for some reason keeps getting a bad rap in today's gluten-free lifestyles, or healthier alternatives. Whether you or your loved ones are gluten free, or simply enjoy new twists on classic favorites, this bunless burger bowl is a great alternative for getting all those loved burger flavors, just in bowl format!

The first time I heard of a bunless burger was when Shake Shack and Burger-Fi, amongst other handheld establishments, opted for a lettuce wrap approach to their entrées. But over the past few years, I’ve seen the burger totally evolve to a bowl-friendly option, using the lettuce of the lettuce wrap as more of a bed for the grilled patty of your choosing. And so I tried it, and this format still gives me all those great burger flavors – juicy ground beef, sweet and salty pickles, crisp and refreshing lettuce, with a kick of a spicy mayo – with more room for my french fries or other accompanying sides to my burger! 

In no way am I breaking up with the beloved burger bun, but this new way of approaching an old and familiar comfort food. It keeps my friends and family on their toes when they come over. Enjoy!

A kitchen curious tip: use a spatula and the back of a wooden spoon or burger weight to press down your burger thinly to get a delicious crisp edge to your burger. The maillard reaction (the process of amino acids caramelizing and creating a crust) within the sauté pan kicks in those umami flavors to elevate your burger bowl experience!

Servings: 4

Ingredients:

• 2 TBSP extra virgin olive oil
• 24 oz. ground beef
• 1 TBSP Worcestershire sauce
• 1 ½ TBSP s.a.l.t. Tuscan Farmhouse Blend
• 4 slices sharp white cheddar cheese
• ½ head iceberg lettuce, finely shredded
• Pinch of s.a.l.t. sisters Sriracha Infused Sea Salt
• 1 medium tomato, diced
• 1 large dill pickle, diced
• ½ small red onion, thinly sliced

Sriracha Sauce:

• 4 TBSP mayonnaise
• 1–2 TBSP sriracha sauce
• ½ –1 tsp s.a.l.t. sisters Sriracha Infused Sea Salt

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Break the ground beef into small pieces and spread evenly on a cutting mat or parchment paper. Add Worcestershire sauce and s.a.l.t. sisters Tuscan Farmhouse Blend. Gently mix the seasoning into the meat without overworking it.
3. Divide the seasoned meat into 4 portions (about 6 oz. each). Form each portion into a ball shape, then gently flatten into patties about 3 ½ inches wide and 1-inch thick.
4. Preheat a large cast iron skillet over medium-low heat for 5 minutes. Increase the heat to high and add olive oil. Add the patties and cook, turning once, until well-browned, about 2 minutes per side.
5. Transfer the skillet with the patties to the oven and continue cooking to desired doneness: 6–8 minutes for medium-rare, 8–10 minutes for medium, and 10–12 minutes for well done. Top each patty with a slice of sharp white cheddar Cheese during the last couple of minutes to melt.
6. Build the bowl:
• Place shredded lettuce in a medium-sized soup bowl.
• Add a spoonful of sriracha sauce and a pinch of Sriracha Infused Sea Salt to the lettuce, toss to coat.
• Place a cooked hamburger patty on top of the lettuce.
• Top each patty with more sriracha sauce, diced tomato, diced pickle, and slices of red onion.

Sriracha Sauce:

1. In a small bowl, mix together mayonnaise, sriracha sauce (adjust to taste), and Sriracha Infused Sea Salt.

Enjoy your hearty and spicy Bunless Hamburger Bowl with Sriracha Sauce!