Keto Cheeseburger Lettuce Wraps (Printable Version)

Juicy beef patties with cheddar and tangy pickles wrapped in crisp lettuce leaves topped with creamy sauce.

# What You'll Need:

→ Cheeseburgers

01 - 1 lb ground beef (80/20 blend)
02 - 1 teaspoon kosher salt
03 - ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
04 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
05 - 1 teaspoon onion powder
06 - 4 slices cheddar cheese

→ Lettuce Wraps

07 - 1 large head iceberg or romaine lettuce, leaves separated and patted dry

→ Toppings

08 - 8 dill pickle slices
09 - 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
10 - 1 medium tomato, sliced (optional)

→ Secret Sauce

11 - ¼ cup mayonnaise
12 - 1 tablespoon sugar-free ketchup
13 - 1 tablespoon dill pickle relish (no sugar added)
14 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
15 - ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
16 - ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
17 - ¼ teaspoon onion powder
18 - Salt and pepper to taste

# Directions:

01 - Combine mayonnaise, sugar-free ketchup, dill pickle relish, Dijon mustard, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder in a small bowl. Mix until thoroughly blended and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Refrigerate until service.
02 - Combine ground beef, kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder in a large bowl. Mix gently until just incorporated, being careful not to overwork the meat.
03 - Divide beef mixture into 4 equal portions and form into patties slightly larger than your lettuce leaves, maintaining an even thickness throughout.
04 - Heat a large skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat. Cook patties 3 to 4 minutes per side until reaching desired doneness. During the final minute of cooking, top each patty with a slice of cheddar cheese, cover the pan, and allow cheese to melt completely.
05 - Arrange two large lettuce leaves per wrap on individual serving plates, overlapping them slightly to provide structural support for the filling.
06 - Place a cooked cheeseburger patty onto the lettuce base. Top with secret sauce, dill pickle slices, red onion slices, and tomato if desired. Fold lettuce leaves around the patty to enclose filling and serve immediately.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • You get all the juicy, cheesy burger satisfaction without the carb crash that usually follows.
  • The secret sauce is tangy enough that you won't miss the bun, and honestly, it tastes better than anything from a drive-thru.
  • It comes together in 35 minutes, which means weeknight dinner that doesn't feel like you're being virtuous about it.
02 -
  • Don't wash and assemble these more than five minutes ahead of time, or your lettuce will start sweating and losing its snap, which defeats the entire purpose.
  • The difference between a mediocre and amazing secret sauce is making it yourself instead of trying to keto-ify store-bought versions; the flavors actually come together when you control each ingredient.
03 -
  • Pat your lettuce leaves completely dry before assembling; any excess water makes them slippery and wilts them faster.
  • Make your patties slightly thinner than a traditional burger (about half an inch) so they cook through in the time it takes to melt the cheese, and the whole thing stays compact and handleable.
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