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In-N-Out Lettuce Burgers Recipe

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4 from 80 reviews

Enjoy classic diner-style burger flavors at home with these In-N-Out Lettuce Wrap Burgers! Juicy beef patties brushed with mustard and grilled to perfection are topped with caramelized onions, ripe tomatoes, crisp pickles, cheddar cheese, and a tangy secret sauce, all wrapped in fresh green leaf lettuce for a low-carb twist on the traditional burger experience.

  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients

Caramelized Onions:

  • 2 yellow onions, diced or sliced into half-moons
  • 1 tbsp avocado or olive oil
  • Sea salt, to taste

Burgers:

  • 1 pound ground beef (85/15 lean), shaped into 4 patties about 3/4″ thick
  • 4 slices cheddar cheese (optional, see notes)
  • 8 leaves green leaf lettuce, washed and dried (or 2 small heads iceberg lettuce)
  • 2 tomatoes, sliced (approximately 10 ounces)
  • 4 dill pickles, thinly sliced
  • 2 tsp yellow mustard (about 1/2 tsp per patty)

Secret Sauce:

  • 1/4 cup mayonnaise (avocado oil mayo recommended)
  • 2 tbsp ketchup (sugar-free preferred)
  • 1 tbsp pickle relish or minced dill pickles (for sugar-free option)
  • 1/2 tsp white wine vinegar
  • Optional: maple syrup or coconut aminos to taste

Instructions

  1. Caramelize the onions: Heat a large 10″ or larger pan over medium heat. Add avocado or olive oil, then add the diced or half-moon sliced onions. Cook over medium to medium-low heat for 20-30 minutes until onions soften and turn golden brown. Season with sea salt to taste. Set aside about 1 cup of caramelized onions.
  2. Preheat grill or griddle: Heat your grill or griddle over medium heat until it reaches 350-400ºF. While heating, prepare the secret sauce by mixing mayonnaise, ketchup, pickle relish, white wine vinegar, and optionally maple syrup or coconut aminos in a small bowl.
  3. Prepare and season the burger patties: Spread about 1/2 teaspoon of yellow mustard on one side of each ground beef patty. Plan to grill the mustard side down first to maximize flavor.
  4. Grill the burgers: Place the patties mustard-side down on the preheated grill. Cook for 6-10 minutes per side depending on your preferred doneness. Add cheddar slices halfway through cooking when flipping the patties if using cheese.
  5. Assemble the lettuce burgers: Using green leaf or iceberg lettuce as buns, layer each with a grilled burger patty, caramelized onions, tomato slices, pickles, and a generous spoonful of the secret sauce. Serve immediately while hot.

Notes

  • Use naturally colored yellow cheddar cheese for authentic flavor; omit cheese for dairy-free or Paleo versions.
  • Nutrition info accounts for 2-ounce cheese slices per burger and divides the secret sauce across 4 servings.
  • Secret sauce may be sweet; adjust with maple syrup or coconut aminos to taste.
  • See recipe video for tips on cutting iceberg lettuce into hamburger-bun shapes.
  • Author: Adeline
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Grilling
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Low Carb

Find it online: https://flavorhug.com/in-n-out-lettuce-burgers-recipe/