Lettuce Wrap Cheeseburger (Smash-Style) | CookOS

Lettuce Wrap Cheeseburger

Name: Lettuce Wrap Cheeseburger (Smash-Style)
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 15 min
Yield: 3 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 21 oz ground beef; 2 tbsp vegetable oil, for cooking; Salt, pepper, and garlic seasoning blend, to taste; 3 slices American cheese; 1 head iceberg lettuce; Burger sauce, for serving; Sliced banana peppers, for topping; Dill pickle slices, for topping; 1/4 white onion, sliced, for topping; 1 tomato, sliced, for topping

A smash-style cheeseburger wrapped in crisp iceberg lettuce instead of a bun, topped with cheese, pickles, banana peppers, and burger sauce. This low-carb version delivers classic burger flavor with all the toppings in a crunchy lettuce vessel.

🌍American 🏷️Lettuce wrap burger 🏷️Cheeseburger 🏷️Smash burger 🏷️Low-carb Keto-friendly

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Total

15 min

Servings

Difficulty

Easy

Est. Cost

$20–$33

Recipe Source

View original recipe

From TikTok · by jackiehartlaub

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Ingredients

21 oz ground beef
2 tbsp vegetable oil, for cooking
Salt, pepper, and garlic seasoning blend, to taste
3 slices American cheese
1 head iceberg lettuce
Burger sauce, for servingoptional
Sliced banana peppers, for toppingoptional
Dill pickle slices, for toppingoptional
1/4 white onion, sliced, for toppingoptional
1 tomato, sliced, for toppingoptional

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Instructions

1
Portion ground beef into 3.5-ounce balls.
2
Place a beef ball between two sheets of parchment paper and press firmly to create a thin patty. Repeat with remaining beef.
3
Arrange patties on a baking sheet, drizzle with a little oil, and season one side generously with the seasoning blend.
4
Preheat a griddle or large skillet over medium-high heat. Place the patties seasoned-side down onto the hot surface.
5
Drizzle more oil over the patties and season the top side.
6
Cook for a few minutes until browned and a crust forms, then flip.
7
Place half a slice of American cheese on top of each patty.
8
Once the cheese is melted, stack two patties together to create double cheeseburgers. Remove from the griddle.
9
To assemble, lay out a large piece of aluminum foil. Place several large iceberg lettuce leaves in the center to form a cup.
10
Add burger sauce, banana peppers, pickles, and sliced onion to the lettuce cup.
11
Add a slice of tomato and season it with more of the seasoning blend.
12
Place a double cheeseburger on top of the toppings.
13
Top with another piece of lettuce, then use the aluminum foil to wrap the burger tightly.

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Tips & Notes

Pro tips

Season the patties generously just before cooking—salt draws out moisture, so avoid seasoning too far ahead.
Press down hard with the spatula when the beef hits the hot griddle to maximize crust development and browning.
Melt cheese under a covered lid immediately after flipping to ensure even melting without overcooking the meat.
Assemble lettuce wraps just before serving so the lettuce stays crisp and doesn't wilt from warm toppings.

Substitutions

American cheese → cheddar or Swiss cheese (milder or sharper flavor)
Vegetable oil → butter or ghee (adds richness to the crust)
Iceberg lettuce → butter lettuce or green leaf lettuce (more delicate, but works)

Storage & make-ahead

Cooked patties can be refrigerated up to 3 days and reheated on a griddle or skillet. Assemble wraps fresh to order for best crunch.

Equipment

griddle or flat-top skillet · spatula for smashing

Common Questions

Can I use a different lettuce?

Iceberg lettuce is best because its leaves are sturdy and hold up to toppings without tearing. Butter lettuce or green leaf can work but will be more delicate.

How do I get the patties crispy on the griddle?

Use medium-high heat and press the patties firmly with a spatula when they first hit the griddle. Don't flip until the bottom is deeply browned, about 2–3 minutes.

What's the best way to melt the cheese?

Place the cheese slice on the hot patty immediately after flipping, then cover the griddle with a lid or foil tent for 30–60 seconds to trap steam and melt it evenly.

Can I make these ahead?

Cook the patties and assemble the burgers fresh for best texture. You can prep toppings and sauce up to 4 hours ahead and store refrigerated.

How much ground beef should I use per burger?

The recipe uses 21 oz total for multiple servings; divide by the number of burgers you want. A typical smash burger patty uses 2–3 oz of beef per patty.