The Best Keto Cheeseburger

Step 1Prepare the Keto Buns. If you don’t have any pre-made keto burger buns, make them first—this will take about an hour. You can also make a batch ahead, brush with egg yolk mixed with water for a shiny finish, and freeze for future use. Defrost at room temperature when needed.

Step 2Mix the Burger Patties. In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, minced garlic, onion powder, apple cider vinegar, sea salt, and black pepper. Mix gently—over-mixing can make the patties tough.

Step 3Shape the Patties. Divide the beef mixture into 4 equal portions and shape them into patties about ¹/₂ to ³/₄ inch (1 ¹/₄ to 2 cm) thick. Smooth out any cracks with your hands. Pierce each patty a few times with a fork to help them cook evenly and prevent curling.

Step 4Make the Burger Sauce. In a small bowl, mix the mayonnaise, sugar-free ketchup, pickle juice (or lemon juice), salt, and pepper. Set aside.

Step 5Brown the Buns. Cut the keto buns in half and brush the cut sides with melted butter. Place them in a hot skillet, cut side down, and toast for about a minute until browned and crispy. Set aside.

Step 6Cook the Patties. Heat a tablespoon of ghee in the skillet over high heat. Add the burger patties (don’t crowd the pan) and cook for 2-3 minutes per side, or until a crust forms and they are easy to flip. Do not pierce the burgers with a fork or you will lose the juices. Once flipped, cook for another 2-3 minutes until browned. Transfer to a plate and set aside.

Step 7Cook the Bacon. In the same skillet, cook the bacon slices until browned and crispy, or bake them in the oven if you prefer. Set aside.

Step 8Assemble the Burgers. Spread about 2 teaspoons of burger sauce on each bun half. Layer the bottom half with 4 pickle slices and some shredded lettuce.

Step 9Add a burger patty, 2 onion slices, 1 slice of tomato, and a slice of cheese.

Step 10Melt the Cheese and Add Bacon. Place the burgers under the broiler for about a minute to melt the cheese. Alternatively, add the cheese to the hot burger patties before assembling to let it melt naturally. Top each burger with 2 slices of cooked bacon and the top bun half.

Step 11Serve. Serve your keto bacon cheeseburgers with any remaining burger sauce, sugar-free ketchup, Dijon mustard, or extra pickles. For a side, pair with a crispy vegetable salad tossed in olive oil and lemon juice.