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Ground Turkey Bacon Cheeseburger Bowls - A Fast, Flavor-Packed Weeknight Dinner

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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb lean ground turkey (93% lean works well)
  • 4 slices bacon, chopped
  • 1 small yellow onion, finely diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 1 tablespoon yellow mustard (or Dijon)
  • 2 tablespoons low-sodium beef broth (or water)
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (or your favorite melty cheese)
  • 4 cups chopped romaine or mixed greens (or use cooked rice/cauliflower rice as a base)
  • 1 cup grape tomatoes, halved
  • 1/2 cup dill pickles, chopped
  • 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
  • 1 ripe avocado, sliced or diced (optional)
  • Sesame seeds for garnish (optional)
  • 1/3 cup mayonnaise
  • 1 tablespoon ketchup
  • 1 teaspoon yellow mustard
  • 1 teaspoon dill pickle relish (or finely chopped pickles)
  • 1/4 teaspoon paprika
  • Pinch of garlic powder
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Method
 

  1. Prep the base and toppings. Wash and chop the greens or prepare your rice. Slice tomatoes, red onion, and pickles. Dice the avocado if using. Set everything aside so assembly is quick.
  2. Cook the bacon. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the chopped bacon until crisp, 6–8 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel–lined plate. Leave about 1 tablespoon bacon fat in the pan and pour off the rest.
  3. Sauté onions and garlic. Add the diced yellow onion to the skillet. Cook until softened and lightly golden, 3–4 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook 30 seconds until fragrant.
  4. Brown the turkey. Add the ground turkey. Break it up with a spatula and cook until no longer pink, 5–7 minutes. Season with salt, pepper, smoked paprika, and onion powder.
  5. Build the cheeseburger flavor. Stir in tomato paste, mustard, Worcestershire, and beef broth. Cook 2–3 minutes, scraping up browned bits, until the mixture is saucy and coated. Taste and adjust seasoning.
  6. Make the sauce. In a small bowl, whisk mayo, ketchup, mustard, relish, paprika, garlic powder, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Thin with a splash of water if you like a drizzle consistency.
  7. Melt the cheese. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar over the hot turkey mixture. Cover the skillet for 1 minute to melt, or fold the cheese through for a creamy blend.
  8. Assemble the bowls. Divide greens or rice into bowls. Top with a generous scoop of cheesy turkey, the crispy bacon, tomatoes, pickles, and red onion. Add avocado if you like. Drizzle with burger sauce and finish with sesame seeds.
  9. Serve. Enjoy right away while it’s hot and the cheese is melty.