Recipe from Simpler Savory
The recipe
30 Minute Low Carb Bunless Bacon Cheeseburger
- Prep
- 10 min
- Cook
- 15 min
- Total
- 25 min
- Servings
- 4 servings
Nutrition Facts
Original author values. Recipe yield: 4 servings.
- calories
- 520
2× the original author values. Recipe yield: 4 servings.
- calories
- 1040
3× the original author values. Recipe yield: 4 servings.
- calories
- 1560
Values are reproduced from the source recipe; this site only applies the selected linear multiplier and does not estimate nutrients.
Ingredients
- 1.5 pounds ground beef (80/20 preferred) — divide into 4 patties
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt — or to taste
- 0.5 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 0.5 teaspoon garlic powder
- 0.5 teaspoon onion powder
- 0.5 teaspoon smoked paprika — optional, for smoky note
- 1 tablespoon avocado oil or butter — only if not using bacon fat
- 4 slices cheddar or American cheese — thin slices for quick melt
- 8 slices thick-cut bacon
- 12 large leaves iceberg or romaine lettuce — kept cold and very dry
- 1 medium tomato — thinly sliced
- 8 chips dill pickles — thin slices
- 0.25 small red onion — thin arcs/slices
- 0.25 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard — or Dijon
- 2 teaspoons dill pickle juice — plus more to taste
- 1 teaspoon sugar-free ketchup — optional, to taste
Instructions
- Lay bacon strips in a cold large skillet, then set heat to medium and cook until edges curl and bacon turns deep red-brown, flipping as needed.
- Transfer bacon to a paper towel–lined plate and pour off all but 1 tablespoon of bacon fat to keep in the skillet for the burgers.
- Divide ground beef into 4 equal mounds and shape into patties just wider than the cheese slices; press a shallow dimple in the center of each.
- Season both sides with kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and a pinch of smoked paprika right before the patties hit the pan.
- Increase heat to medium-high until the bacon fat shimmers; add a touch of oil or butter only if the pan looks dry.
- Add patties and sear without pressing until a deep brown crust forms and color creeps up the sides, 3 to 4 minutes.
- Flip once, top each patty with a cheese slice, cover the pan, and cook 1 to 2 minutes more until cheese is melted and burgers are at desired doneness.
- Transfer patties to a plate and rest 2 minutes so juices settle and lettuce stays crisp during assembly.
- Stack two sturdy lettuce leaves per burger with veins facing each other; pat dry very well for grip.
- Mix mayonnaise, mustard, and pickle juice in a small bowl; add sugar-free ketchup if desired and adjust tang with more pickle juice to taste.
- Spread a thin swipe of sauce on the lettuce, add a cheeseburger patty, top with 2 bacon slices, tomato, pickles, and red onion; add another light smear of sauce.
- Top with a second lettuce leaf or fold sides in and roll like a burrito; serve immediately while hot and crisp.
Notes
Store cooked patties and bacon separately from lettuce and toppings. Refrigerate patties in an airtight container up to 4 days; bacon stays crisp 4–5 days in a paper towel–lined container. Keep washed, dried lettuce in a bag with a paper towel up to 3 days. Reheat patties in a covered skillet over medium heat with a splash of water, 2 minutes per side, or in a 350°F oven for 6–8 minutes; add cheese at the end. Assemble fresh—reheated lettuce will wilt.
Source: https://simplersavory.com/30-minute-low-carb-bunless-bacon/