Put a healthy twist on burger night with these tasty Cheeseburger Lettuce Wraps. This low-carb dish features seasoned ground beef, a savory burger sauce wrapped in crisp lettuce!
Whether you’re following a low-carb lifestyle or simply craving a lighter burger alternative, these lettuce wrap burgers will satisfy your craving without compromising on bold taste. Juicy ground beef is mixed with melty cheese, dill relish, ketchup, and mustard, loaded into crisp lettuce leaves, and topped with a creamy mayo sauce. Each bite is loaded with flavor and a satisfying crunch!
Lettuce wraps make a great interactive family dinner for kids and adults. It’s fun for everyone to assemble their wraps and enjoy them together! This recipe also comes together quickly in under 30 minutes, making it an easy dish to serve during busier weekdays. If you’re looking for more low-carb wrap recipes, try my keto club lettuce wrap, buffalo chicken lettuce wrap, or pepperoni cheese wraps.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Healthier. By swapping out burger buns with lettuce leaves, these cheeseburger lettuce wraps are low in carbohydrates, gluten-free, and keto-friendly making them a healthier alternative.
- Quick & Easy. This recipe comes together in just 20 minutes, making getting a delicious, healthy meal on the table easy.
- Versatile. Make these hamburger wraps your own by adjusting the spice level, mixing and matching sauces, and adding your favorite toppings!
Recipe Ingredients
Below are the ingredients you will need to make this lettuce wrap cheeseburger recipe. Scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of the page to see the exact amounts for each ingredient.
- Ground Beef: Use lean ground beef for a lower fat content or a higher fat concentration for a richer flavor.
- Dill Relish: Adds a tangy, slightly sweet taste to the filling. Alternatively, you can use sweet or spicy relish if desired, though using sweet relish will add a modest amount of carbohydrates to the recipe.
- Ketchup: Use sugar-free ketchup to keep this cheeseburger wrap recipe keto. If not following a keto diet, you can sub for regular ketchup.
- Mustard: Yellow mustard gives this cheeseburger wrap a classic flavor. Alternatively, you can use dijon, spicy mustard, or your favorite variation.
- Onion: Yellow or white onion works in this recipe to add a slightly sweet aromatic flavor.
- Cheese: Shredded cheddar cheese is my favorite pairing for hamburger lettuce wraps.
- Mayonnaise: Makes the lettuce wrap burger sauce rich and creamy, giving it a classic hamburger flavor. Use full-fat mayo for the richest flavor or reduced fat if you prefer.
- Lettuce: Romaine lettuce, butter lettuce, or green leaf lettuce are the best options for a sturdy base. Or use your favorite kind as long as it has long, strong leaves.
How to Make
Below are photos and recipe steps to easily make this lettuce wrap recipe with ground beef at home. You will also need a stovetop burner, a large skillet, and a wooden mixing spoon.
Prepare the Filling
Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add the beef. Cook it until it is browned, crumbling the meat as it cooks. Add the relish, ketchup, mustard, salt, and pepper to the skillet. Stir and continue to saute for about 30 seconds until combined. Add the chopped onion and continue to cook for 2-3 minutes, until the onion is translucent. Remove the skillet from the heat.
Add the Cheese and Prepare the Sauce
Sprinkle on the cheese and allow it to sit for 1-2 minutes until it melts. Meanwhile, stir together the mayo and ketchup to make the burger sauce. Give both a little taste test and season according to your preference.
Combine the Burger Wrap
Spoon the cheesy meat filling into the lettuce leaves, then top with the burger sauce. Now you’re ready to serve! Remember, this is best to assemble and eat immediately. If I’m serving this for a crowd I add the lettuce to a platter and the filling in a serving bowl and serve family style so everyone makes their own.
Serve
Enjoy a lettuce wrap cheeseburger on its own for a light meal or appetizer or pair with some of our favorite recipes below for a full-spread keto meal – including dessert!
- Keto Zucchini Fries
- Crispy Cauliflower Fritters
- Keto Brownies
- Air Fryer Squash
- Broccoli Salad with Bacon
Storage and Reheating Instructions
This recipe is best stored in the fridge in an airtight container, separately from the lettuce wraps. When kept separate, the burger filling can last up to 3 days. The moisture in the filling will ruin the lettuce wraps within a day. To keep lettuce fresh, store with a few paper towels to soak up moisture that could wilt the leaves.
To reheat, transfer the burger filling to a microwave-safe dish and heat on 50% power for 45-60 second increments, stirring between each blast. If you don’t have a microwave, simply transfer back to the skillet and heat (covered with lid) on low, stirring occasionally.
Tips and Tricks
- Layer two lettuce leaves on top of one another if you want a sturdier base for your burger lettuce wrap or want more of a crunch in each bite.
- Allow the filling to cool slightly before adding it to the lettuce leaves for the best crispy texture. If the beef mixture is too hot, it can wilt the lettuce and make it soggy.
- If you prefer a dairy-free version, simply use a shredded cheese alternative! You can also omit the cheese if desired.
Cheeseburger Lettuce Wrap FAQ
Yes, you can swap the ground beef for ground turkey or ground chicken. If you choose an alternative ground meat, just be sure to add a bit of oil or cooking spray to the pan before cooking it. Turkey and chicken have a lower fat content and can stick to the pan without greasing it first.
You can easily prepare this lettuce wrap hamburger recipe in advance for quick meals as you need them throughout the week. Prepare the filling and the sauce separately, then store them in airtight containers in the fridge for 3-4 days. To prevent the lettuce from wilting, wait to assemble the burgers until you’re ready to serve!
You can alter this recipe in a variety of ways to suit your taste. Choose your favorite toppings and condiments, or add extra ingredients! For example, include crispy bacon for a bacon cheeseburger wrap, add BBQ and coleslaw for a BBQ variation, or top with a fried egg for extra protein and flavor! Some different topping ideas are slices of tomatoes, pickles, avocado, or jalapenos. You can also use different cheeses like American, Swiss, pepper Jack, or blue cheese.
More Burger and Wrap Recipes
- Keto Jalapeño Popper Burgers
- Bacon Cheeseburger Quesadilla
- Chicken Bacon Ranch Lettuce Wrap
- Keto Bacon Cheeseburger
Lettuce Wrap Burger
Ingredients
Filling:
- 1 lb ground beef
- ¼ cup dill relish
- 3 tbsp sugar free ketchup
- 2 tbsp yellow mustard
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 1 yellow onion diced
- ¼ cup shredded cheddar cheese
Sauce:
- ½ cup mayo
- 3 tbsp sugar free ketchup
For Serving:
- 1 head romaine lettuce
Instructions
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add the beef. Cook until browned, crumbling the meat as it cooks.
- Add the relish, ketchup, mustard, salt, and pepper to the skillet. Stir and continue to saute for 30 seconds. Add the chopped onion and continue to cook for 2-3 minutes, until the onion is translucent. Remove from heat.
- Sprinkle on the cheese and allow to sit for 1-2 minutes to melt. Meanwhile, stir together the mayo and ketchup to make the burger sauce.
- Spoon the cheesy filling into the lettuce leaves, then top with the burger sauce. Serve!
Notes
- The sauce keeps in the fridge for up to 3 days. It’s best to assemble with the lettuce only when you’re ready to serve so the lettuce doesn’t wilt.
- Use your choice of type of lettuce. As long as it has nice broad, strong leaves. Butter lettuce, green leaf, and romaine work the best. We don’t recommend iceberg lettuce.
- This recipe basically tastes like a deconstructed cheeseburger!
- Regular ketchup can be substituted in for the sugar-free ketchup if desired.
