• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Healthy Recipes Blog
  • Subscribe
  • Recipe Index
  • About
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Accessibility Statement
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Subscribe
  • Recipe Index
  • About
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Accessibility Statement
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×
    Home » Meat Recipes » Bunless Burger

    Bunless Burger

    Last updated: Aug 23, 2021 · Recipes developed by Vered DeLeeuw and nutritionally reviewed by Rachel Benight MS, RD · This website generates income via ads and uses cookies.

    Jump to Recipe Card

    Who needs a bun? Try this delicious bunless burger instead. Simply sandwich your fillings between two beef patties, and have at it!

    You can add mustard, mayo, cheese and veggies in between the layers, or just a slice of cheese for the simplest version. Either way, I suspect you won't miss the bun.

    Bunless burger served on a white plate with a napkin.

    I used to love bread, but now I consider it as an unnecessary filler (Though I still have several good recipes for keto bread). I'd much rather have an extra delicious beef patty than have just one patty sandwiched in bread!

    Bunless burger is such a wonderful solution for those on a low carb or keto diet. And no, I don't miss the bun! When you get used to eating low-carb, you no longer "need" bread to hold your burgers or hot dogs.

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Expert tip
    • Frequently asked questions
    • Variations and substitutions
    • Recommended side dishes
    • Related recipes
    • Recipe card

    Ingredients

    You'll only need a few ingredients to make these tasty keto burgers. The exact measurements are listed in the recipe card below. Here's an overview of what you'll need:

    Ground beef patties: I prefer a mix of 85/15. Leaner than that is too dry, in my opinion. And in this particular recipe, I prefer to use pre-formed patties. They are more uniform and they keep their shape better when cooked than the ones I shape by myself from a package of ground beef.

    Kosher salt and black pepper: If using fine salt, you should reduce the amount you use, or the patties could end up too salty.

    Dijon mustard: It's creamier and less vinegary than yellow mustard. But any mustard will be good here. You can also use mayo or spicy mayo (mayo mixed with hot pepper sauce), as I do in the video below.

    Lettuce: Use whatever you like! Iceberg lettuce is crisp, and it keeps well in the fridge, but it's not as flavorful as other lettuce varieties. My personal favorite is Romaine.

    Tomato: Try to pick a plump, red and firm tomato. None of those pale mealy tomatoes! Beefsteak tomatoes are perfect, but I'd rather use a ripe smaller tomato than a large tasteless one.

    Red onion: If you dislike the sharpness of raw onion, you can simply omit it. You can also use sauteed onions if you happen to have some (or if you have the patience for making them!)

    Sliced cheddar: For the best flavor, I like using sharp or even extra-sharp cheddar.

    Instructions

    Making a bunless burger is easy! Scroll down to the recipe card for the full details. Here are the basic steps:

    Season the beef patties with salt and pepper. You can add more spices if you'd like (onion powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika). I usually stick with salt and pepper.

    Cook the burgers on a hot cast-iron griddle to your desired doneness. I cook them to medium, about 3 minutes per side. You can also grill them, as I do in the video.

    Transfer the patties to a plate and allow them to rest, loosely covered in foil, for 5 minutes. While the meat is resting, gather the remaining ingredients.

    To assemble the "sandwiches," grab two plates. Place one cooked patty on each plate. Spread it with mustard. On top of the mustard, layer the lettuce, onion, tomato, cheese, and then top with another cooked patty.

    A photo collage showing the steps for making a bunless burger.

    Expert tip

    It's important to let the burgers rest for 5 minutes before serving them. This rest period will allow the juices to redistribute and settle, ensuring juicy burgers.

    Frequently asked questions

    How do you eat a bunless burger?

    When I eat burgers (these broiled burgers are very good, as are these bacon burgers and turkey burgers), I usually just put them on a plate and use a knife and a fork.

    This "sandwich" that you can hold with your hands is another way to enjoy meat, cheese and veggie layers without bread.

    It's quite messy and will require extra napkins. But it's admittedly more fun than using a knife and a fork, and it is always a hit with kids, who find the "meat bun" funny - and fun. The kids enjoy not just eating these burgers, but also assembling them.

    What if I still want keto bread to hold my burger?

    If you do miss hamburger buns, try making cloud bread - while not true bread, it's surprisingly similar to spongy white hamburger buns.

    Are there any other options for holding a bunless burger?

    The best one apart from cloud bread is probably iceberg lettuce. It's pretty good at preventing drips and if you like crisp lettuce, it can actually add to the experience.

    Variations and substitutions

    Here are a few variations for you to try:

    • Ass mayonnaise and hot sauce to the mustard, creating your own "secret sauce."
    • Use sauteed onions instead of raw onions.
    • Experiment with different cheeses. Good candidates include Swiss cheese, provolone, goat cheese, and crumbled blue cheese.
    • Top your burger with tasty toppings such as avocado, a fried egg, and/or cooked bacon.

    Recommended side dishes

    I like to serve this tasty burger with vegetables, such as steamed broccoli or green beans. It's also good with a side of jicama fries or zucchini fries.

    Bunless burger served on a plate with a napkin.

    Related recipes

    • Bacon Burger
      Bacon Burger
    • Baked Hamburgers.
      Baked Hamburgers
    • Grilled Hamburgers.
      Grilled Hamburgers
    • Keto cheeseburger casserile
      Keto Cheeseburger Casserole

    👩🏻‍🍳 I typically publish a new or an updated recipe once a week. Want these recipes in your inbox? Subscribe! You can unsubscribe at any time.

    Recipe card

    Bunless Burger
    4.97 from 66 votes
    Pin Recipe Share on Facebook Print Recipe

    Juicy Keto Bunless Burger

    Who needs a bun? Try this delicious bunless burger instead. Simply sandwich your fillings between two beef patties, and have at it!
    Prep Time15 mins
    Cook Time5 mins
    Total Time20 mins
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: American
    Servings: 2 servings
    Calories: 610kcal
    Author: Vered DeLeeuw
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    INGREDIENTS

    • 4 (¼ lb) ground beef patties
    • ½ teaspoon Diamond Crystal kosher salt
    • ½ teaspoon black pepper
    • 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
    • 4 lettuce leaves
    • 2 thick tomato slices
    • 2 red onion slices
    • 2 slices sharp cheddar

    INSTRUCTIONS

    • Season the beef patties with salt and pepper. Cook them on a cast iron griddle over medium-high heat to your desired doneness. I cook them to medium, about 3 minutes per side.* You can also grill them.
    • Transfer the cooked patties to a plate and allow them to rest, loosely covered in foil, for 5 minutes.
    • While the meat is resting, assemble the remaining ingredients.
    • To assemble the "sandwiches," grab two plates. Place one cooked patty on each plate. Spread it with mustard (or use mayo if you'd like). On top of the mustard, layer the lettuce, onion, tomato, cheese, and then top with another cooked patty. Serve immediately, with extra napkins. 🙂

    WATCH THE VIDEO:

    NOTES

    It's important to let the burgers rest for 5 minutes before serving them. This rest period will allow the juices to redistribute and settle, ensuring juicy burgers.
    You can wrap the burger in several iceberg lettuce leaves for a less messy experience. 
    *The USDA recommends cooking ground meats to an internal temperature of 160ºF.

    ADD YOUR OWN NOTES

    Click here to add your own private notes. They're only visible to you. If you clear your browser's cache, they'll be lost.
    DISCLAIMERSMost of our recipes are low-carb (or keto) and gluten-free, but some are not. Please verify that a recipe fits your needs before using it. Recommended and linked products are not guaranteed to be gluten-free. Nutrition info is approximate and the carb count excludes non-nutritive sweeteners. Nutrition info may contain errors, so please verify it independently. Recipes may contain errors, so please use your common sense when following them. Please read our Terms of Use carefully before using any of our recipes.

    NUTRITION PER SERVING

    Serving: 1burger - 2 patties with fillings | Calories: 610kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 49g | Fat: 43g | Sodium: 729mg
    NEVER MISS A RECIPE! I typically publish a new or updated recipe once a week. Want them in your inbox? Subscribe!
    Pinterest icon Facebook icon Youtube icon Instagram icon Twitter icon Tiktok icon

    ❤️ Let's connect! Follow me on Pinterest, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, or Twitter.

    More Low-Carb Meat Recipes

    • Picanha Steak.
      Picanha Steak
    • New York Strip Steak.
      Perfect New York Strip Steak
    • Pork jowl.
      Crispy Pork Jowl
    • Pork stir fry.
      Pork Stir-Fry

    About the Author

    Vered Deleeuw Vered DeLeeuw, LL.M., CNC, has been following a low-carb real-food diet and blogging about it since 2011. She's a Certified Nutrition Coach (NASM-CNC), has taken courses at the Harvard School of Public Health, and has earned a Nutrition and Healthy Living Certificate from Cornell University. Her work has appeared in several major media outlets, including Healthline, HuffPost, Today, Women's Health, Shape, and Country Living. Click to learn more about Vered.

    Primary Sidebar

    A photo of Vered DeLeeuw.

    Healthy Recipes Blog was founded in 2011 by Vered Deleeuw. It features real-food recipes with a focus on low-carb and gluten-free ingredients. All recipes are nutritionally reviewed by a Registered Dietitian. Contact us at HealthyRecipesBlog@gmail.com.


    subscribe to healthy recipes blog
    Pinterest icon Facebook icon Youtube icon Instagram icon Twitter icon Tiktok icon


    Warm up with some soup!

    • Cauliflower soup.
      Creamy Cauliflower Soup
    • Tomato soup.
      Easy Tomato Soup
    • Egg Drop Soup
      Egg Drop Soup
    • Cream of broccoli soup.
      Cream of Broccoli Soup
    • Cabbage soup.
      Cabbage Soup
    • Butternut Squash Soup
    • Cream of mushroom soup.
      Cream of Mushroom Soup
    • Hamburger soup.
      Easy Hamburger Soup

    Footer

    Media mentions

    Media mentions of Healthy Recipes Blog: logos

    The information on this website has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, prevent, or cure any disease.


    By accessing or using this website, you agree to abide by the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.


    Copyright © 2023