Burger Bowls with House Sauce and Ranch Fries Recipe
Delicious and satisfying burger bowls served with crispy ranch-seasoned waffle fries and a tangy house sauce. This easy recipe combines juicy ground beef crumbles, fresh toppings like shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, and pickles, all brought together with a flavorful homemade sauce and buttery ranch fries baked to perfection.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking and Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
For the Burger Bowls
- 1 lb. ground beef (85/15 for the juiciest)
- 2 teaspoons burger seasoning (one teaspoon per side)
- Shredded lettuce, as desired
- Diced tomatoes, as desired
- Diced burger pickles, as desired
For the Ranch Fries
- 1 22-ounce bag frozen waffle fries
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1 1-ounce packet ranch seasoning mix (or 3 tablespoons)
For the House Sauce
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 1 teaspoon horseradish
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1 clove grated garlic
Instructions
- Prepare the Ranch Fries: Bake the frozen waffle fries according to the package instructions. Once baked, add butter directly to the baking sheet and toss the fries to coat them evenly and add juiciness. Next, sprinkle the ranch seasoning over the fries, adjusting the quantity according to your taste preferences and the amount of fries.
- Make the House Sauce: In a bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, ketchup, horseradish, Worcestershire sauce, paprika, and grated garlic until smooth. Taste the sauce and season with salt if needed, or substitute with your favorite store-bought burger sauce if preferred.
- Cook the Beef: Heat a well-seasoned cast iron skillet over high heat without any oil—ensure the pan is very hot for proper searing. Season one side of the ground beef with 1 teaspoon of burger seasoning. Place the beef seasoning-side down into the hot pan directly from the package, and avoid breaking it up immediately. Let it cook undisturbed for several minutes to develop a nice browned crust as the fat renders.
- Finish the Beef: Sprinkle the top of the beef with the remaining 1 teaspoon of burger seasoning. After a few minutes, flip the beef in large chunks. Break it up gently into fork-sized pieces, avoiding making it too small to maintain juiciness and enjoyable texture. Continue cooking and browning the beef until fully cooked, then remove from heat.
- Assemble the Burger Bowls: In serving bowls, layer the juicy burger crumbles, baked ranch fries, shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, and diced pickles. Drizzle the house sauce over the top or serve on the side. Enjoy your flavorful and hearty burger bowls!
Notes
- Use a well-seasoned cast iron skillet to avoid sticking and ensure a perfect sear without added oil.
- Adjust ranch seasoning amount on fries to suit your preference for ranch flavor intensity.
- The house sauce can be made ahead and refrigerated for up to 3 days.
- For a lighter option, consider baking fries on a wire rack for extra crispiness instead of tossing with butter.
- Keep beef chunks larger to retain juiciness and make the dish easier to eat with a fork.
