Nitrate & Nitrite Free Lettuce-Wrapped Beef Burger
Juicy, well-seasoned beef patties wrapped in cool butter lettuce leaves are genuinely satisfying in a way that makes you forget you're skipping the bun entirely. The patties get their depth from garlic, ginger, oregano, thyme, and a touch of turmeric ā real pantry spices that do all the heavy lifting without any processed shortcuts. That matters here, because conventional burger add-ons like cured bacon, deli-style toppings, or bottled condiments are common sources of hidden preservatives, and this recipe sidesteps all of that entirely. Coconut aminos and apple cider vinegar come together as a bright, tangy dipping sauce that replaces anything you'd normally reach for from a squeeze bottle. Creamy avocado, earthy cooked beet, and sharp red onion round out each lettuce cup with color and texture that make these feel genuinely restaurant-worthy. Cooking the patties in a cast iron skillet gives you that deeply browned crust without needing anything beyond coconut oil and high heat. It's a clean, craveable build that proves you don't need a single additive to make a burger worth getting excited about.
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Learn more āIngredients
4 servings
For the patties
- 1 Ā½ lb ground beef (80/20)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp fresh ginger, grated
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- Ā½ tsp ground turmeric
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp coconut oil
For serving
- 1 head butter lettuce, leaves separated
- 1 large avocado, sliced
- 1 medium beet, cooked and sliced
- Ā½ small red onion, thinly sliced
- 2 tbsp coconut aminos
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- fresh parsley or cilantro, roughly chopped (optional)
Instructions
- 1
In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, minced garlic, grated ginger, dried oregano, dried thyme, ground turmeric, and salt. Mix with your hands until the seasonings are evenly distributed throughout the meat, being careful not to overwork the mixture.
- 2
Divide the mixture into 8 equal portions and shape each into a patty about 3/4 inch thick. Press a shallow dimple into the center of each patty with your thumb to help them cook evenly without puffing up.
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