Bunless Bacon Cheeseburger
A juicy, stacked cheeseburger wrapped in crisp lettuce with bacon and a tangy keto special sauce. Proves you never needed the bun.
The burger that never misses the bun
A great burger was always about the beef, and going keto is a good excuse to stop hiding it under a doughy bun. A crisp lettuce wrap holds everything together while letting the flavors shine.
Use an 80/20 ground beef for the juiciest patty, and resist the urge to press it flat while it cooks, that squeezes out the fat you want to keep.
- Season simply with salt and pepper
- Toast the cheese right on the patty
- Chill the special sauce so it thickens
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Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds ground beef (80/20) (net carbs →)
- 4 slices cheddar cheese (net carbs →)
- 8 slices bacon (net carbs →)
- 8 large butter lettuce leaves (net carbs →)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder (net carbs →)
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise (net carbs →)
- 1 tablespoon sugar-free ketchup (net carbs →)
- 1 tablespoon dill pickle relish (no sugar added) (net carbs →)
- 1 teaspoon yellow mustard (net carbs →)
- 4 slices tomato and 4 thin slices red onion (optional) (net carbs →)
Instructions
- 1Cook the bacon in a skillet until crisp, then set aside on paper towels.
- 2In a small bowl, stir together the mayonnaise, sugar-free ketchup, relish, and mustard to make the special sauce. Chill until needed.
- 3Divide the ground beef into 4 patties and season both sides with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
- 4Cook the patties in the bacon fat over medium-high heat for about 4 minutes per side, until browned and cooked to your liking.
- 5Top each patty with a slice of cheddar during the last minute and cover the pan to melt.
- 6Lay out two lettuce leaves per burger and place a patty on top.
- 7Add bacon, special sauce, and optional tomato and onion, then wrap the lettuce around and serve.
Nutrition (per serving)
Recipe FAQ
What lettuce holds up best as a bun?
Butter lettuce and iceberg both work well. Butter lettuce is more pliable and less likely to tear, while iceberg gives an extra crunch. Use two overlapping leaves for strength.
Is store-bought ketchup keto friendly?
Regular ketchup is loaded with sugar, so reach for a no-sugar-added or sugar-free version. Alternatively, skip it and lean on mustard, which is naturally very low in carbs.
Can I make these ahead?
Cook the patties and bacon ahead and refrigerate, then reheat and assemble fresh. Keep the lettuce and sauce separate until serving so nothing gets soggy.
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What should I eat today?
Turn the ingredients you like or already have into a keto breakfast, lunch & dinner — net carbs counted.