Contents

Crispy Lettuce Wrap Burgers: The Ultimate Low-Carb, Gluten-Free Meal with Zesty Carrot Slaw

Tired of traditional burgers that leave you feeling heavy from all that bread? It’s time for a delicious and refreshing change! Imagine sinking your teeth into a juicy, perfectly cooked burger patty, enveloped not by a heavy bun, but by crisp, refreshing iceberg lettuce leaves. These lettuce wraps aren’t just a clever alternative; they provide a delightful crunch and a clean, fresh taste that truly elevates your burger experience. While you can certainly add all your favorite toppings, our suggested combination of creamy, fresh, and slightly sweet carrot slaw along with a few tangy pickle slices creates an absolutely fantastic flavor profile. What’s more, this recipe is incredibly easy to make, making it a perfect cooking project for kids, who often enjoy assembling their own wraps! (Jump straight to the recipe details below.)

Ah, summer! The season for outdoor gatherings, warm evenings, and, of course, delicious burgers! While burgers are a beloved dish year-round, there’s something undeniably special about grilling them during these glorious warm days. Even if it’s technically still spring, the feeling of summer is definitely in the air, and that means it’s prime time for firing up the grill or skillet for some mouth-watering patties. These lettuce wrap burgers are not only a lighter option but also incredibly satisfying, making them a fantastic choice for any summer meal or casual get-together.

Family Fun in the Kitchen: Cooking with Meredith

One of the best parts about this recipe is how accessible it is for cooks of all ages. We recently had Meredith, a twelve-year-old kitchen whiz, take the lead in preparing these fantastic burgers. She expertly mixed together the simple hamburger ingredients and whipped up the carrot salad with the skill of a seasoned chef! Getting younger kids involved in the cooking process, from grating carrots to slicing pickles, not only teaches them valuable life skills but also makes the meal all the more enjoyable. When they’ve helped create something delicious, they’re much more likely to eagerly devour it!

But don’t let the kid-friendly aspect fool you – adults go absolutely crazy for these burgers too! They are a fantastic option for various dietary needs, being naturally gluten-free, paleo-friendly, and low-carb. For those following a strict keto diet, simply substitute the carrot slaw with fresh slices of tomato and onion to make them even lower in carbohydrates. This versatility ensures that everyone at your table can enjoy a satisfying and wholesome burger.

Let’s Get Started: Crafting Your Delicious Burgers

The journey to these amazing lettuce wrap burgers begins with the patties. Simplicity is key here, allowing the quality of the ingredients to shine through. You’ll combine lean ground beef with mayonnaise, salt, and pepper. Many might wonder about the mayonnaise, but it’s a secret ingredient that adds a wonderful moistness and subtle richness to the patties, ensuring they remain tender and flavorful even when cooked lean. For this step, your hands are truly the best tools, allowing you to thoroughly mix the ingredients without overworking the meat, which can lead to tough burgers.

Achieving uniformly sized burgers is crucial for even cooking and a consistent presentation. A clever trick for this is to pat the mixed ground meat into a flat, even cake at the bottom of your mixing bowl. Then, using a butter knife, gently score and cut the cake into six equal wedges. This method ensures that each patty starts with the same amount of meat, leading to perfectly portioned burgers.

Once you have your equal wedges, scoop up each portion and gently form it into a nice, flat oval patty. The oval shape is not arbitrary; it’s specifically designed to fit neatly and comfortably within the natural curve of iceberg lettuce leaves, making for a tidier and easier-to-eat wrap. Aim for patties that are roughly 4 inches long by 2.5 inches wide, ensuring they are not too thick for quick cooking and easy handling within the lettuce.

Now, for the exciting part – cooking them! You have the choice of frying them in a skillet on the stovetop, which is perfect for a quick meal any day, or throwing them onto the grill for that quintessential summertime thrill. Grilling adds a smoky char that can’t be beaten, while pan-frying offers a beautiful sear and keeps the patties wonderfully juicy. Whichever method you choose, cook them until they are beautifully browned on the outside and cooked through, yet still moist and tender on the inside, typically about 4-5 minutes per side for medium heat.

The Perfect Accompaniments: Carrot Slaw and Crispy Lettuce

While your burgers are sizzling away, it’s the perfect time to prepare the vibrant carrot slaw and slice those tangy pickles. The slaw is a crucial element that adds a burst of freshness, sweetness, and creaminess, perfectly balancing the richness of the beef patty and the tang of the pickles. It’s an effortless side to prepare, making it ideal for concurrent cooking.

Next up are the “wraps” themselves – the crisp iceberg lettuce leaves. Iceberg lettuce is truly the star here for several reasons. Its sturdy, cup-like shape is perfect for holding all the delicious fillings, and its signature crispness provides an incredibly satisfying crunch with every bite. To prepare, cut a head of iceberg lettuce in half through the core, then carefully cut out the core from each half. From the outside of the head, gently pull away two or three leaves at a time, keeping them together in a natural “cup” shape. This method ensures you get sturdy, intact wraps that are easy to handle and eat. You can easily get six excellent wraps from one medium head of lettuce, with the inner parts saved for a fresh green salad later.

Assembling Your Masterpiece: The Lettuce Wrap Burger

With all your components ready – the savory burgers, the zesty carrot slaw, the tangy pickles, and the crisp lettuce cups – it’s time for the grand assembly. This is where the magic happens, turning individual ingredients into a harmonious and delectable meal.

First, take one of your carefully prepared lettuce cups and spread a generous couple of spoonfuls of the creamy carrot slaw onto one side. This forms a delicious, vibrant bed for your burger, infusing each bite with a hint of sweetness and crunch.

Next, carefully place a warm, juicy burger patty directly on top of the carrot slaw. The heat from the burger will slightly warm the slaw, enhancing its flavors. Then, tuck in a few slices of dill pickle alongside the patty. The pickles provide a sharp, vinegary contrast that cuts through the richness of the beef and complements the sweetness of the slaw beautifully.

And now, the moment you’ve been waiting for: devour! Carefully fold up the other side of the lettuce leaves to create a tidy, handheld wrap, and take that first glorious bite. You’ll immediately notice the delightful interplay of textures and flavors: the satisfying crunch of the lettuce, the tender juiciness of the beef, the creamy sweetness of the slaw, and the tangy burst of pickle. It’s a truly exhilarating culinary experience!

Mmmm. That was a tasty bite, wasn’t it?

Don’t stop at one! These delicious and satisfying lettuce wrap burgers are sure to be a hit with everyone. Go ahead and make a few more for the rest of your family and friends. Be sure to have plenty of napkins on hand, as these juicy wraps can be wonderfully messy, and eating them over a plate will help catch any delicious drips. Enjoy the simple pleasure of a homemade meal that’s both healthy and incredibly flavorful!

* * * * *

Kitchen Frau Notes: The oval shape for the ground meat patties is more than just aesthetic; it’s practical! It allows them to fit much better into the natural curve of the iceberg lettuce leaves, making for a neater and easier-to-handle wrap.

Iceberg lettuce truly is the best choice for these wraps. Its firm texture and relatively large leaves hold together exceptionally well, preventing your delicious fillings from escaping. Moreover, its characteristic fresh, crispy crunch provides a very satisfying textural contrast with the warm, tender burger ingredients. From one average head of lettuce, you can easily get six perfect wraps – three from each half. When removing the leaves, do so carefully to avoid tearing them, and try to keep two or three leaves together as you pull them off the head. This creates a stronger, more substantial “cup.” Don’t discard the inner part of the lettuce head; it’s still perfectly good for a tossed green salad at another meal, reducing waste!

To make these burgers strictly keto-friendly and even lower in carbohydrates, simply omit the carrot slaw. Instead, opt for classic burger toppings like fresh slices of ripe tomato and crisp onion rings.

Hamburgers in Lettuce Wraps with Carrot Slaw

Yields: 6 servings

Prep time: 15 minutes

Cook time: 10-12 minutes

Ingredients for the Burgers:

1 lb (454gms) lean ground beef
¼ cup (60ml) mayonnaise
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon pepper
2 teaspoons oil (for skillet frying, optional for grilling)

Ingredients for the Carrot Slaw:

4 medium carrots (approx. 200gms), peeled and shredded (about 1 cup lightly packed)
3 tablespoons finely chopped onion
3 tablespoons raisins
¼ cup mayonnaise
1 teaspoon lemon juice or vinegar
¼ teaspoon salt
Sprinkling of pepper

Ingredients to Assemble the Lettuce Wraps:

1 head of iceberg lettuce
3 to 4 dill pickles, sliced

Instructions:

Prepare the Burger Patties: In a medium bowl, use your hands to gently mix together the ground beef, mayonnaise, salt, and pepper until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the patties tough.
Pat the seasoned ground meat into a flat, even cake at the bottom of the bowl. Using a butter knife, score and cut the meat into six equal wedges. This method helps ensure all your burgers are uniform in size.
Scoop out each wedge of ground meat, briefly roll it into a ball, then flatten and shape the ball into an oval patty, approximately 4 inches (10cm) long by 2½ inches (6 cm) wide. The oval shape is ideal for fitting into the lettuce cups.
Cook the Burgers: Heat a barbecue grill to medium heat or a large skillet over medium heat. If using a skillet, add the 2 teaspoons of oil and spread it evenly across the bottom. Place the burger patties into the hot pan or onto the grill.
Cook the burgers for about 4 to 5 minutes per side, or until they are nicely browned on the exterior and cooked through. For best results, avoid pressing down on the patties, which can squeeze out the juices. To test for doneness, you might cut into one patty to ensure it’s no longer pink inside.
Once cooked, transfer the burgers to a plate and cover them loosely with aluminum foil to rest. This allows the juices to redistribute, keeping the burgers moist and flavorful. Set aside while you prepare the carrot slaw.
Make the Carrot Slaw: While the burgers are cooking and resting, peel and grate the carrots. You should have about 1 cup of lightly packed shredded carrots. Finely chop 3 tablespoons of onion.
In a clean bowl, combine the shredded carrots, chopped onion, raisins, mayonnaise, lemon juice or vinegar, salt, and pepper. Mix everything together thoroughly until the carrots are well coated.
Prepare the Lettuce Wraps: Take the head of iceberg lettuce and cut it in half through the core. From each half, carefully cut out the core.
Gently pull off 2 or 3 leaves at a time from the outside of each half. Try to keep these leaves together in a natural bowl or cup shape, as this will form your lettuce “wrap.” Arrange these lettuce cups on a work surface or serving platter. (The remaining inner lettuce can be saved for salads.)
Slice 3 or 4 dill pickles into thin rounds or spears, as preferred.
Assemble the Lettuce Wraps: For each lettuce cup, place 2 to 3 tablespoons of the prepared carrot slaw onto one side of the lettuce.
Carefully place a warm, cooked hamburger patty on top of the carrot slaw.
Tuck a few slices of the dill pickle next to the burger patty.
To eat, fold up the other side of the lettuce leaves to encase the fillings, creating a handheld burger wrap. Enjoy immediately! Remember to eat your burger over a plate to catch any delicious drips, and have plenty of napkins on hand for sticky fingers.

Makes 6 delicious burgers in lettuce wraps.

Guten Appetit!

For more fun cooking projects that are perfect for making with kids, be sure to explore the ‘Cooking With Kids’ series here.

Want to be among the first to receive new Kitchen Frau recipes directly to your email inbox? Sign up for our newsletter here! You’ll not only get delicious new recipes but also a handy and useful kitchen tip along with each one. We promise no spam, ever.

Don’t forget to PIN IT to save this fantastic recipe for later:

You might also enjoy these other delicious recipes:

Mexican Burgers with Smoky Chipotle Sauce

Lamb Burgers and Sweet Potato Wedges

Meatballs on Sticks with 3 Dipping Sauces

Burger Pops