If you’re hunting for a dinner that’s fresh, filling, and just downright fun to eat, you’ll absolutely swoon for these Low Carb Burger Lettuce Wraps! All the juiciness and flavor of your favorite cheeseburger, but wrapped up in crisp Boston lettuce for a meal that’s as satisfying as it is guilt-free.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Ultimate Weeknight Saver: Ready in under 30 minutes, these wraps bring mega flavor with minimal effort—perfect for those busy evenings!
- Guilt-Free Indulgence: All the deliciousness of a cheeseburger, but low on carbs thanks to fresh lettuce leaves swapping in for the bun.
- Totally Customizable: There’s endless room to play with toppings, sauces, and even the type of ground meat if you want to shake things up.
- Crowd-Pleasing for All: Everyone—from kiddos to keto fans—can dig in, and the flavor rivals any gourmet burger joint.
Ingredients You’ll Need
What makes Low Carb Burger Lettuce Wraps so irresistible is how simple the ingredients are—but each one truly pops! Every component plays a starring role, from juicy beef to creamy cheese, and the bright crunch of lettuce.
- Ground beef (1 lb): Go for 80/20 for juiciness, or use a leaner blend if you want to cut extra fat.
- Salt & pepper: Just a bit goes a long way to season the beef perfectly.
- Grated cheddar cheese (1/2 cup): Adds irresistible gooeyness—melt it for that classic cheeseburger taste.
- Boston lettuce (1 head): Butter-soft and sturdy enough to wrap, it holds everything together without getting soggy.
- Plum tomatoes (2, sliced): Their sweet tang brightens every bite.
- Red onion (1/2 small, sliced): Adds crunch and a pop of sharp, savory flavor.
- Pickles (6 slices): For that essential tang; try dill or bread-and-butter, whichever you love.
- Special sauce: Whip up creamy, tangy goodness with light mayo or sour cream, BBQ sauce, garlic powder, and paprika.
Variations
The beauty of Low Carb Burger Lettuce Wraps is how endlessly adaptable they are. Whether you’re looking to pack in more veggies, switch up the protein, or play with fun flavors, this recipe is practically begging you to get creative!
- Turkey Swap: Use ground turkey instead of beef for a lighter, even leaner option that’s just as satisfying.
- Lettuce Variety: Can’t find Boston lettuce? Romaine or iceberg offers extra crunch and wrap-ability.
- Dairy-Free: Leave off the cheddar or sub in a plant-based cheese for a completely dairy-free experience.
- Add Bacon: Toss in crispy bacon strips for an irresistible smoky, savory boost.
- Spice it Up: Add sliced jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce to the special sauce for a kick.
How to Make Low Carb Burger Lettuce Wraps
Step 1: Prep the Sauce & Veggies
Start by whipping up your special sauce—simply combine light mayo (or sour cream), BBQ sauce, garlic powder, and paprika in a small bowl. Next, wash and gently dry your lettuce leaves, then slice your tomatoes, onions, and pickles, setting everything up for ultra-speedy assembly later.
Step 2: Season & Shape the Burger Patties
In a large bowl, mix the ground beef with salt and pepper until evenly seasoned. Divide into 8 portions and press each one into a thin, 1/4-inch patty—thin patties are the secret to quick cooking and incredible stacking with melty cheese.
Step 3: Grill & Melt the Cheese
Heat up your BBQ or grill pan to medium-high. Cook the patties for just 1-2 minutes per side until browned and juicy. Layer grated cheddar onto a patty, then stack with another hot patty and add more cheese, letting all that gooeyness come together beautifully.
Step 4: Assemble Your Lettuce Wraps
Lay out crisp lettuce leaves on plates, then top each with slices of tomato and pickles. Add a cheesy burger stack, followed by red onion and a big, decadent drizzle of your homemade special sauce. Serve immediately and get ready to dig into burger bliss—the Low Carb Burger Lettuce Wraps way!
Pro Tips for Making Low Carb Burger Lettuce Wraps
- Lettuce Leaf Selection: Use the outer leaves of Boston lettuce for bigger, sturdier wraps that hold everything together (and skip any small or torn leaves).
- Stack for Stability: Double up the lettuce leaves if you love your burgers extra juicy—this helps prevent the wraps from falling apart mid-bite.
- Even Patty Thickness: Shape your patties thin and uniform so they cook quickly and stack beautifully with the cheese.
- Sauce Drizzle Magic: Add the special sauce just before serving so the leaves stay crisp, not soggy, for the ultimate crunch!
How to Serve Low Carb Burger Lettuce Wraps
Garnishes
Top your Low Carb Burger Lettuce Wraps with an extra sprinkle of cheddar, a scattering of sliced scallions, or even a few slices of creamy avocado for good measure. A quick dash of cracked black pepper or a little extra drizzle of your special sauce won’t hurt either!
Side Dishes
While these wraps can easily steal the show on their own, pairing them with oven-baked sweet potato fries, a tangy slaw, or a crunchy cucumber salad makes for an all-star meal. You can even keep it simple with sliced veggies and your favorite dip.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun party platter, stack your wraps on a big tray with ramekins of special sauce, pickles, and extra veggies for people to build their own. Or, roll the wraps burrito-style and slice them crosswise for cute, bite-size appetizers—think burger sushi, but low carb!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store all components of your Low Carb Burger Lettuce Wraps separately: keep the cooked patties, chopped veggies, and sauce in different airtight containers in the fridge. This way, nothing gets soggy and everything stays as fresh as possible for up to 5 days.
Freezing
The beef patties freeze beautifully! Lay them flat on a sheet pan, freeze until solid, then transfer them to a zip-top bag. They’ll keep well for up to 3 months—simply thaw overnight in the fridge or cook from frozen for a super speedy meal.
Reheating
Reheat the burger patties in the microwave for about 30–40 seconds, or quickly warm them in a skillet. Then assemble your wraps fresh—lettuce and toppings straight from the fridge for that delightful, crisp texture!
FAQs
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Can I make Low Carb Burger Lettuce Wraps ahead of time?
For best texture, prep all your ingredients and cook the patties in advance, but assemble just before serving so the lettuce stays crisp and the cheese is nice and melty!
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Which lettuce works best for these wraps?
Boston lettuce is ideal because of its flexibility and softness, but romaine or even iceberg lettuce will also get the job done with extra crunch.
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How do I keep the wraps from falling apart?
Double up on lettuce leaves and avoid overfilling—plus, let hot patties cool slightly before assembling to help everything stay neatly tucked inside!
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Can I make Low Carb Burger Lettuce Wraps with a different protein?
Definitely! Ground turkey, chicken, or even plant-based “meat” all work beautifully, just adjust the cooking time as needed for your protein of choice.
Final Thoughts
If you haven’t tried Low Carb Burger Lettuce Wraps yet, you are in for a total flavor adventure! Light, vibrant, and utterly satisfying, they’ll quickly become a go-to when you crave something comforting without the carb overload. Gather your ingredients, fire up the grill, and treat yourself (and your loved ones!) to burger night—no bun required.
Print
Low Carb Burger Lettuce Wraps Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Carb
Description
These Low Carb Burger Lettuce Wraps are a delicious and healthy alternative to traditional burgers. With juicy beef patties, melted cheese, fresh veggies, and a flavorful special sauce, they are packed with flavor and low in carbs.
Ingredients
Beef Patties:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp pepper
- 1/2 cup grated cheddar cheese
Lettuce Wraps:
- 1 head Boston lettuce
- 2 plum tomatoes, sliced
- 1/2 small red onion, sliced
- 6 sliced pickles
Special Sauce:
- 1/2 cup light mayo (or sour cream)
- 1 tbsp BBQ sauce
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp paprika
Instructions
- Preheat BBQ: Preheat BBQ to medium-high. Mix ingredients for special sauce together and prep veggies.
- Mix Beef: Mix salt and pepper into ground beef. Form 8 thin patties and grill for 1-2 minutes per side.
- Assemble Wraps: Lay lettuce leaves on plates, add pickles, tomatoes, beef patties with cheese, red onions, and special sauce. Serve.
Notes
- For a healthier option, use ground turkey.
- If Boston lettuce is unavailable, use romaine or iceberg lettuce.
- Serve with sweet potato fries.
- Store leftovers separately in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- Freeze beef patties for up to 3 months.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 418 kcal
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 1435mg
- Fat: 31g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17g
- Trans Fat: 0.03g
- Carbohydrates: 7g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 26g
- Cholesterol: 99mg
