If you’ve ever had an In-N-Out Burger Double Double “Protein Style,” you know all about lettuce-wrap burgers. The flavorful patties have plenty of beefy flavor without the high-carb, high-calorie bun. Instead, they’re snuggly wrapped in satisfyingly crunchy lettuce and dressed with all your favorite toppings—lettuce, tomato, cheese, onion, a splurge-worthy special sauce and more.
Whether you are living a low-carb lifestyle, have gone gluten-free (there are no fillers in these lettuce-wrapped burgers) or are just trying to cut some calories where you can, you won’t miss the bread when it comes to this winning lettuce-wrapped hamburger recipe.
Lettuce-Wrap Burger Ingredients
- Ground beef: Choosing the best beef for burgers is a personal preference. For these patties, we use 90% lean ground beef, which is low in fat but high in protein. The burgers are cooked for only a few minutes, which keeps them juicy and moist.
- Seasonings: A simple combination of salt and pepper lets the beefy flavor shine.
- Bibb lettuce: Mild, sweet and buttery Bibb lettuce provides a fresh counterpoint to all the rich beefy flavor of the burgers. When shopping for Bibb lettuce, also known as butterhead lettuce, choose a head that is heavy for its size, is compact and has a good bright green color, which indicates freshness.
- Feta cheese: Salty, milky and easy to crumble, feta’s fresh flavor gives these burgers a tangy kick. Feta contains less fat than other cheeses, and a little bit goes a long way. Any leftovers won’t be a problem, especially with these delicious fresh feta recipes.
- Miracle Whip: While Miracle Whip and mayo are very similar, Miracle Whip has added sugar and spice but less fat and calories than mayo. If you don’t have Miracle Whip, substitute mayonnaise mixed with a pinch of sugar.
- Avocado: A slice of fresh avocado adds a bit of creamy goodness to each lettuce-wrapped hamburger—but only if the avocado is perfectly ripe. How to tell? Give each avocado a gentle squeeze. If it gives just a little, it’s ready to use. If an avocado still feels firm, here’s how to ripen avocados quickly.
- Vegetable toppings: Top each lettuce-wrapped burger with sliced cherry tomatoes and chopped red onion if you’re craving a pop of color and garden-fresh flavor.
Directions
Step 1: Make the burger patties
In a large bowl, combine the beef, salt and pepper, mixing lightly but thoroughly. Shape the mixture into eight patties, each about a 1/2-inch thick.
Editor’s Tip: For more advice on making the perfect patties, follow these expert tips on making hamburgers.
Step 2: Grill the burgers
Grill the burger patties, covered, over medium heat until a thermometer reads 160°F, three to four minutes on each side. You can also broil the burgers 3 to 4 inches from the heat source for three to four minutes per side.
Step 3: Assemble the burgers
Place each burger on two stacked lettuce leaves. Combine the feta and Miracle Whip, and spread the mixture over the burgers. Top with avocado, red onion and, if desired, cherry tomatoes.
Lettuce-Wrap Burger Variations
- Mix up the meat: These lettuce burgers can be made with lean ground turkey, chicken or bison, all leaner alternatives to ground sirloin.
- Try a different lettuce: Lettuce varieties like radicchio or romaine are great alternatives to Bibb lettuce and provide a bit of extra crunch. Most common lettuce varieties, including iceberg, endive, and green and red leaf, work in this recipe.
- Make it an In-N-Out Burger copycat: Just brush the beef patty with mustard before grilling, then add caramelized onions, pickles and, of course, In-N-Out’s famous burger sauce. With just a few easy tweaks, you’ll enjoy this fast-food chain favorite known as “Animal Style,” sans the bun.
How to Store Lettuce-Wrap Burgers
Store burger patties, lettuce leaves and condiments separately in food-safe containers in the refrigerator for up to three days. To reheat, gently heat the burger patties over low heat on the stovetop or in the microwave.
Can you freeze lettuce-wrap burgers?
The raw beef patties for these lettuce burgers can be made and frozen for up to four months. Just don’t add salt to your beef mixture before freezing, as it can break down the beef protein, causing your burger to become sticky and tough. Instead, thaw the burgers and sprinkle them with salt before placing them on a hot grill.
Lettuce-Wrap Burger Tips
What can you serve with lettuce-wrap burgers?
While burgers wrapped in lettuce are like a meal, a colorful quinoa salad, baked sweet potato fries or eggplant fries are lovely side dishes. You can also opt for a lighter touch with basil grilled corn.
Can you make lettuce-wrap burgers for a crowd?
Lettuce-wrapped hamburgers are a fantastic way to feed a crowd. Simply grill an adequate number of burger patties, then keep them warm in the oven on the lowest setting or in a slow cooker. When ready to serve, set out a platter of washed and dried lettuce leaves and an array of toppings so guests can create their lettuce burger masterpieces.
