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Giving up grains is one of the most challenging parts of following a low-carb lifestyle, especially a very low-carb ketogenic diet. In fact, for most people it's far more difficult to give up bread than to give up sweet treats.
And I know a lot about that. I grew up eating bread and it was served with almost any meal so I couldn't imagine not having it. I didn't miss candies, cakes or sweet drinks. I craved warm, fluffy, soft bread with a nice crispy crust, ideally topped with butter, ham and cheese. And of course homemade burgers! Don't get me wrong, I love bunless aka naked burgers but there is nothing like a proper burger.
These burgers are delicious and very filling but with none of the carbs to spike your blood sugar levels and trigger cravings. You can finally enjoy a burger that tastes just like the real deal and even include it in your keto meal plan.
To make the burger sauce I used homemade ketchup and mayonnaise made with walnut oil. If you are short on time, any store-bought ketchup and mayo will do as long as they are sugar-free and ideally made with healthy fats. Pickles often contain added sugar and preservatives so I made my own using a healthy low-carb sweetener.
You can make smaller or larger burgers to fit your macros. Serve them on their own or with a big bowl of green salad, especially if you practice intermittent fasting and eat just twice a day.
If you can’t eat nuts, these nut-free burger buns are the perfect alternative. If you can’t eat dairy, just skip the cheese and make a regular keto hamburger. And it's not just burgers! There are keto-friendly food swaps for almost anything you can imagine!
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Hands-on Overall
Serving size cheeseburger
Nutritional values (per cheeseburger)
Net carbs8.8 grams
Protein47 grams
Fat72.1 grams
Calories887 kcal
Calories from carbs 4%, protein 22%, fat 74%
Total carbs18.2 gramsFiber9.4 gramsSugars3.9 gramsSaturated fat24.6 gramsSodium1,784 mg(78% RDA)Magnesium137 mg(34% RDA)Potassium1,012 mg(51% EMR)
Ingredients (makes 4 cheeseburgers)
Burger patties:
- 600 g ground beef (1.3 lb)
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 2 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp sea salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp ghee or lard for greasing (15 ml)
Burger sauce:
Burgers:
- 4 Ultimate Keto Buns or Nut-Free Keto Buns
- 2 tbsp butter, melted (30 ml)
- 4 slices slices bacon, cut lengthwise (120 g/ 4.2 oz)
- 2 cups green shredded lettuce (60 g/ 2.1 oz)
- 16 slices sugar-free pickles (40 g/ 1.4 oz) - you can make your own pickles
- 8 slices red onion (60 g/ 2.1 oz)
- 4 slices tomato (120 g/ 4.2 oz)
- 4 slices slices cheddar, provolone or Monterey Jack cheese (85 g/ 3 oz)
Instructions
- Prepare the keto burger buns. If you don't have any, you'll need an extra hour to prepare them.
I brushed a batch of these buns with one egg yolk mixed with a tablespoon of water which gave them a shiny finish. I make mine in batches and freeze for future use. You can make any keto bread in advance, freeze and defrost at room temperature.
![The Best Keto Cheeseburger (low-carb, primal, grain-free, gluten-free) The Best Keto Cheeseburger](https://files.ketodietapp.com/Blog/files/2018/08/the-best-keto-cheeseburger-1.jpg)
- In a bowl, mix the ingredients for the burger patties: beef, minced garlic, onion powder, apple cider vinegar, sea salt and black pepper. Do not overmix or the burgers will become tough.
![The Best Keto Cheeseburger (low-carb, primal, grain-free, gluten-free) The Best Keto Cheeseburger](https://files.ketodietapp.com/Blog/files/2018/08/the-best-keto-cheeseburger-2.jpg)
- Using your hands, create 4 equal patties, 1/2 to 3/4 inch (1 1/4 to 2 cm) thick. Use your hands to smooth any cracks.
- Pierce the patties with a fork several times. This will loosen the patties and help them cook equally without curling or getting tough while enabling maximum caramelisation. Set aside.
Note: Fat for greasing is not included in the nutrition facts. Some fats in the meat are lost during the cooking process.
![The Best Keto Cheeseburger (low-carb, primal, grain-free, gluten-free) The Best Keto Cheeseburger](https://files.ketodietapp.com/Blog/files/2018/08/the-best-keto-cheeseburger-3.jpg)
- Prepare the burger sauce by mixing the mayonnaise, ketchup, pickle juice, salt and pepper. Set aside.
![The Best Keto Cheeseburger (low-carb, primal, grain-free, gluten-free) The Best Keto Cheeseburger](https://files.ketodietapp.com/Blog/files/2018/08/the-best-keto-cheeseburger-5.jpg)
- To brown the keto burger buns, cut them widthwise. Brush them with melted butter and cook in a hot skillet cut side down for about a minute or until browned and crispy. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
![The Best Keto Cheeseburger (low-carb, primal, grain-free, gluten-free) The Best Keto Cheeseburger](https://files.ketodietapp.com/Blog/files/2018/08/the-best-keto-cheeseburger-6.jpg)
- Grease the hot skillet with a tablespoon of ghee and add the burger patties. The patties should sizzle as soon as they touch the skillet. Do not crowd the pan - work in batches. Cook over high heat, until a crust forms on the bottom and the burgers are easy to flip on the other side. This will take 2-3 minutes.
- Once flipped, cook until the crust forms on the bottom and the sides are browned. Do not pierce the burgers with a fork or you will lose the juices. It will take another 2-3 minutes to cook through. The thicker the patties, the longer they will take to cook. Transfer to a plate and set aside.
- In the same pan, cook the bacon slices. Cut each of the slices lengthwise and cook until browned and crispy. Alternatively, bake in the oven.
![The Best Keto Cheeseburger (low-carb, primal, grain-free, gluten-free) The Best Keto Cheeseburger](https://files.ketodietapp.com/Blog/files/2018/08/the-best-keto-cheeseburger-4.jpg)
- To assemble the burger: Spread about 2 teaspoons of the burger sauce on each bun halve. Top each the bottom half with 4 slices of pickles and add a quarter of the shredded lettuce.
![The Best Keto Cheeseburger (low-carb, primal, grain-free, gluten-free) The Best Keto Cheeseburger](https://files.ketodietapp.com/Blog/files/2018/08/the-best-keto-cheeseburger-7.jpg)
- Add a burger patty, 2 onion slices, 1 slice of tomato and 1 slice of cheese.
![The Best Keto Cheeseburger (low-carb, primal, grain-free, gluten-free) The Best Keto Cheeseburger](https://files.ketodietapp.com/Blog/files/2018/08/the-best-keto-cheeseburger-8.jpg)
- Place under a broiler for a minute until the cheese is meted. Otherwise, you can add the cheese directly on top of the burger patty while still hot (see more in step 8). Finally, top with 2 slices of cooked bacon and add the top half of the burger bun.
![The Best Keto Cheeseburger (low-carb, primal, grain-free, gluten-free) The Best Keto Cheeseburger](https://files.ketodietapp.com/Blog/files/2018/08/the-best-keto-cheeseburger-9.jpg)
- Enjoy! Serve with leftover burger sauce, or low-carb ketchup and homemade Dijon mustard. Optionally, serve with more pickles or a big bowl of crispy vegetable salad drizzled with olive oil and lemon juice.
![The Best Keto Cheeseburger (low-carb, primal, grain-free, gluten-free) The Best Keto Cheeseburger](https://files.ketodietapp.com/Blog/files/2018/08/the-best-keto-cheeseburger-10.jpg)
The Best Keto Cheeseburger
Ingredients (makes 4 cheeseburgers)
Burger patties:
- 600 g ground beef (1.3 lb)
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 2 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp sea salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp ghee or lard for greasing (15 ml)
Burger sauce:
- 1/4 cup paleo mayonnaise (55 g/ 1.9 oz) - you can make your own mayo
- 2 tbsp sugar-free ketchup or tomato puree (30 g/ 1.1 oz) - you can make your own ketchup
- 1 tbsp pickle juice or lemon juice (15 ml)
- salt and pepper, to taste
Burgers:
- 4 Ultimate Keto Buns or Nut-Free Keto Buns
- 2 tbsp butter, melted (30 ml)
- 4 slices slices bacon, cut lengthwise (120 g/ 4.2 oz)
- 2 cups green shredded lettuce (60 g/ 2.1 oz)
- 16 slices sugar-free pickles (40 g/ 1.4 oz) - you can make your own pickles
- 8 slices red onion (60 g/ 2.1 oz)
- 4 slices tomato (120 g/ 4.2 oz)
- 4 slices slices cheddar, provolone or Monterey Jack cheese (85 g/ 3 oz)
Instructions
- Prepare the keto burger buns. If you don't have any, you'll need an extra hour to prepare them.
I brushed a batch of these buns with one egg yolk mixed with a tablespoon of water which gave them a shiny finish. I make mine in batches and freeze for future use. You can make any keto bread in advance, freeze and defrost at room temperature.
- In a bowl, mix the ingredients for the burger patties: beef, minced garlic, onion powder, apple cider vinegar, sea salt and black pepper. Do not overmix or the burgers will become tough.
- Using your hands, create 4 equal patties, 1/2 to 3/4 inch (1 1/4 to 2 cm) thick. Use your hands to smooth any cracks.
- Pierce the patties with a fork several times. This will loosen the patties and help them cook equally without curling or getting tough while enabling maximum caramelisation. Set aside.
Note: Fat for greasing is not included in the nutrition facts. Some fats in the meat are lost during the cooking process.
- Prepare the burger sauce by mixing the mayonnaise, ketchup, pickle juice, salt and pepper. Set aside.
- To brown the keto burger buns, cut them widthwise. Brush them with melted butter and cook in a hot skillet cut side down for about a minute or until browned and crispy. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
- Grease the hot skillet with a tablespoon of ghee and add the burger patties. The patties should sizzle as soon as they touch the skillet. Do not crowd the pan - work in batches. Cook over high heat, until a crust forms on the bottom and the burgers are easy to flip on the other side. This will take 2-3 minutes.
- Once flipped, cook until the crust forms on the bottom and the sides are browned. Do not pierce the burgers with a fork or you will lose the juices. It will take another 2-3 minutes to cook through. The thicker the patties, the longer they will take to cook. Transfer to a plate and set aside.
- In the same pan, cook the bacon slices. Cut each of the slices lengthwise and cook until browned and crispy. Alternatively, bake in the oven.
- To assemble the burger: Spread about 2 teaspoons of the burger sauce on each bun halve. Top each the bottom half with 4 slices of pickles and add a quarter of the shredded lettuce.
- Add a burger patty, 2 onion slices, 1 slice of tomato and 1 slice of cheese.
- Place under a broiler for a minute until the cheese is meted. Otherwise, you can add the cheese directly on top of the burger patty while still hot (see more in step 8). Finally, top with 2 slices of cooked bacon and add the top half of the burger bun.
- Enjoy! Serve with leftover burger sauce, or low-carb ketchup and homemade Dijon mustard. Optionally, serve with more pickles or a big bowl of crispy vegetable salad drizzled with olive oil and lemon juice.
Nutrition (per cheeseburger)
Calories887kcal
Net Carbs8.8g
Carbohydrates18.2g
Protein47g
Fat72.1g
Saturated Fat24.6g
Fiber9.4g
Sugar3.9g
Sodium1,784mg
Magnesium137mg
Potassium1,012mg
Detailed nutritional breakdown (per cheeseburger)
Total per cheeseburger |
8.8 g | 47 g | 72.1 g | 887 kcal |
Beef, minced (ground), raw, grass-fed |
0 g | 25.8 g | 30 g | 381 kcal |
Garlic, fresh |
0.2 g | 0 g | 0 g | 1 kcal |
Onion powder, spices |
0.8 g | 0.1 g | 0 g | 4 kcal |
Apple cider vinegar |
0 g | 0 g | 0 g | 0 kcal |
Salt, sea salt |
0 g | 0 g | 0 g | 0 kcal |
Pepper, black, spices |
0.2 g | 0.1 g | 0 g | 1 kcal |
Mayonnaise |
0.1 g | 0.2 g | 11.4 g | 102 kcal |
Ketchup |
0.4 g | 0.1 g | 0 g | 2 kcal |
Lemon juice, fresh |
0.2 g | 0 g | 0 g | 1 kcal |
Ultimate Keto Buns, homemade (KetoDiet app) |
4.3 g | 10.1 g | 15.9 g | 208 kcal |
Butter, unsalted, grass-fed |
0 g | 0.1 g | 5.8 g | 51 kcal |
Bacon, crispy (bacon grease removed) |
0 g | 4.8 g | 1.6 g | 34 kcal |
Lettuce, mixed leaf salad |
0.2 g | 0.2 g | 0 g | 2 kcal |
Cucumbers, pickled |
0.1 g | 0.1 g | 0 g | 1 kcal |
Onion, red, fresh |
1 g | 0.2 g | 0 g | 6 kcal |
Tomatoes, fresh |
0.8 g | 0.3 g | 0.1 g | 5 kcal |
Cheese, cheddar, sharp, sliced |
0.5 g | 5.2 g | 7.2 g | 87 kcal |
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