Who needs the bun when you can get your burger fix with this juicy protein style smash burger? Made easily on a frying pan, this burger cooks up quickly and makes for a perfect meal any day of the week!
Living in L.A., you know we are hardcore In-N-Out fans! Not only because their burgers are amazing but also because they have the best protein style burgers! A secret menu item.
This protein style smash burger is incredibly delicious and filling.
Two thin beef patties, caramelized onions, and a creamy spicy garlic mayo smash burger sauce are all sandwiched between two fresh lettuce buns. It’s also fully customizable so you can add any of your favorite mix-ins!
What is Protein style Smash Burger?
This smash burger contains 80/20 fat ratio ground beef that is smashed down on a frying pan to create a thin patty that is juicy on the inside and perfectly crispy and charred on the outside.
It’s topped with paper thin slices of onions and cooked until golden brown and caramelized.
Brushed with a creamy spicy garlic mayo spread and sandwiched between two crispy fresh lettuce buns to create a perfect restaurant style healthy burger.
Are protein style burgers healthy?
If you are watching your carb intake, these lettuce wrapped burgers are the way to go. They are low in carbs, keto friendly, gluten free, not to mention ultra filling so you will be satisfied.
What ingredients do I need to make lettuce wrapped burger?
- Ground Beef – use at least 20% fat or greater.
- Onions – about 1/4 of a medium onion, thinly sliced.
- Salt – table salt or sea salt.
- Black Pepper – fresh or pre-ground pepper
- Green Lettuce – use your preferred lettuce.
- American Cheese (optional) – use American cheese or your preferred burger cheese.
- Kewpie Mayo – you can sub with American mayo but will alter taste slightly.
- Sriracha – an Asian chili sauce found in most Supermarkets.
- Garlic – fresh grated garlic.
How do I make and wrap a protein style burger?
Cook sliced onion and beef patty while smashing down the ground beef. When done, assemble by wrapping the contents of the burger in a couple of large lettuce leaves.
What kind of lettuce should I use for the protein burger lettuce wrap?
We like to use green leaf lettuce but if you prefer a more crunchy green, you can choose iceberg lettuce as well.
What other toppings can I add to this smash burger?
The possibilities for this smash burger are endless. Here are some ideas: Cheese, tomatoes, pickles, mushrooms, avocado, fried egg.
What is the nutrition information for this protein style burger recipe?
- 852 Calories
- 3g Carbohydrates
- 1g Fiber
- 46g Protein
- 70g Fat
- 220mg Cholesterol
- 1092mg Sodium
- 703mg Potassium
- 254mg Calcium
- 5mg Iron
- 365ui Vitamin A
- 3mg Vitamin C
Looking for other healthy beef recipes?
- Seared Oven Baked Garlic Butter Steak
- Trader Joe’s Meatball with Feta
- Soy Glazed Asparagus Beef Roll Ups
- Japanese Beef Steak Tataki
- Japanese Beef Skewers Kushiyaki
Now, let’s get making this Protein Smash Burger with Spicy Garlic Mayo recipe!
- Prepping Time 5M
- Cooking Time 5M
- Total Time 10M
- Net Carb/Serv ~3g
- Servings 2
Ingredients
Hamburgers
- 1 lb Ground Beef (use at least 20% fat or greater)
- 1/4 Cup Sliced Onions (about 1/4 of a medium onion)
- 1/2 tsp Salt
- 1/4 tsp Black Pepper
- 4 Leaves Green Lettuce (or bun of choice)
- 2 Slices American Cheese (optional)
Sauce
- 3 tbsp Kewpie Mayo (you can sub with American mayo but will alter taste)
- 1/2 tsp Sriracha
- 1 Garlic Clove
Directions
1) Gather all the ingredients.
2) Thinly slice onions with a knife or slicer.
3) Grate garlic with a grater.
4) In a small mixing bowl, combine Kewpie Mayo, Sriracha, grated garlic, and set aside.
5) Take about 1/4 lbs of the ground beef and roll it into 2-3 inch diameter meatballs. Repeat until you end up with 4 meatballs.
6) Bring a large Teflon frying pan up to temp on medium high heat (~1 minute) and place meatballs inside. Use a spatula to press down on the meatballs to form a patty until they are around 1/2 inch thick. Note – you may need to spray cooking oil depending on the pan.
7) Place the sliced onions on top of the patties followed by sprinkling salt and black pepper. Cook for 2-3 minutes and then flip with the onions going on the bottom as shown below. Cook for 2-3 more minutes until patties are browned or an internal temp of 160F is attained.
8) Take a lettuce leaf and place it onto a serving plate. Next, add a beef patty with onion up, followed by optional cheese, beef patty onion side down, a generous spread of spicy mayo, other optional toppings and finally another piece of lettuce on top. Use the lettuce to form a wrap and enjoy! Note – a toothpick in the middle will help hold everything together.
Hope you enjoy your Protein Smash Burger with Spicy Garlic Mayo!
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Protein Smash Burger with Spicy Garlic Mayo
Ingredients
Patty
- 1 lb Ground Beef use at least 20% fat or greater
- 1/4 Cup Sliced Onions about 1/4 of a medium onion
- 1/2 tsp Salt
- 1/4 tsp Black Pepper
- 4 Leaves Green Lettuce
- 2 Slices American Cheese optional
Instructions
- Gather all the ingredients.
- Thinly slice onions with a knife or slicer.
- Grate garlic with a grater.
- In a small mixing bowl, combine Kewpie Mayo, Sriracha, grated garlic, and set aside.
- Take about 1/4 lbs of the ground beef and roll it into 2-3 inch diameter meatballs. Repeat until you end up with 4 meatballs.
- Bring a large Teflon frying pan up to temp on medium high heat (~1 minute) and place meatballs inside. Use a spatula to press down on the meatballs to form a patty until they are around 1/2 inch thick. Note - you may need to spray cooking oil depending on the pan.
- Place the sliced onions on top of the patties followed by sprinkling salt and black pepper. Cook for 2-3 minutes and then flip with the onions going on the bottom as shown below. Cook for 2-3 more minutes until patties are browned or an internal temp of 160F is attained.
- Take a lettuce leaf and place it onto a serving plate. Next, add a beef patty with onion up, followed by optional cheese, beef patty onion side down, a generous spread of spicy mayo, other optional toppings and finally another piece of lettuce on top. Use the lettuce to form a wrap and enjoy! Note - a toothpick in the middle will help hold everything together.
Video
Nutrition
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