What Burgers Can You Eat on Keto?

December 1, 2025 •

4 min read

Over 70% of restaurant-goers want to modify menu items for health reasons, and the keto diet is a popular driver for this change. Learning what burgers can you eat on keto is essential for maintaining your low-carb lifestyle while still enjoying a delicious, satisfying meal at home or on the go.

Quick Summary

This guide explores delicious keto-friendly burger options, including easy fast food hacks like bunless or lettuce-wrapped orders, creative homemade low-carb bun alternatives, and the best high-fat, low-carb toppings and condiments to elevate your meal.

Key Points

Ditch the Bun: The single most effective step to make a burger keto is to remove the high-carb bun and opt for lettuce wraps, portobello mushrooms, or low-carb homemade buns instead.
Master Fast Food Hacks: Easily order keto burgers at fast-food restaurants by requesting "protein-style," bunless, or in a bowl, and be clear about skipping sugary sauces.
Focus on Healthy Fats: Use high-fat ground beef (like 80/20) for homemade patties and load up on fatty, keto-approved toppings like cheese, avocado, and bacon.
Choose Your Condiments Wisely: Avoid hidden carbs in ketchup and sweet relish. Stick to mayo, mustard, and sugar-free alternatives.
Make It Your Own: Customize your homemade burger with a variety of keto-friendly toppings like sautéed mushrooms, onions, and pickles to keep things interesting.
Boost Fiber: Add a side salad with a full-fat, low-carb dressing to increase your fiber intake and fullness when having a bunless burger.

Navigating the Fast Food World

Eating out while following a ketogenic diet can be a challenge, but many popular burger joints offer simple modifications to create a keto-friendly meal. The core strategy is to remove the high-carb buns and sugary condiments, focusing on the meat, cheese, and low-carb toppings.

Popular Fast Food Keto Burger Hacks

In-N-Out Burger: Ask for your burger "Protein Style" to get it wrapped in a crisp lettuce leaf instead of a bun. You can also order a "Flying Dutchman"—two patties with cheese, no bun or lettuce. Just be mindful of the spread, which has a small amount of sugar.
Wendy's: Order any of their burgers, like the Double Stack or Baconator, without the bun. Many locations will serve it in a bowl or lettuce-wrapped upon request.
Five Guys: This chain offers a customizable experience perfect for keto dieters. Order a burger in a lettuce wrap or a bowl, and pile on the free, keto-friendly toppings.
McDonald's/Burger King: Simply ask for any of their burgers without the bun. For a classic option, the McDouble or a Bacon Cheeseburger without the bread is a reliable, low-carb choice.

Creating the Perfect Keto Burger at Home

For ultimate control over ingredients and macros, making your own keto burgers is the best option. The key is focusing on high-quality ingredients and replacing the bun with a low-carb alternative.

Low-Carb Burger Bun Alternatives

Lettuce Wraps: Using large, sturdy lettuce leaves like iceberg, romaine, or Boston lettuce creates a crunchy, refreshing wrap for your patty.
Portobello Mushroom Caps: These make an excellent savory, umami-rich bun substitute. Scrape out the gills, marinate them, and grill or bake them for a satisfying, hearty base.
Keto Buns: Many recipes exist for homemade keto buns using almond flour, coconut flour, or cloud bread (made from eggs and cream cheese). These are great for when you want a texture closer to traditional bread.

The Keto Burger Patty

The patty is the star, and for keto, that means focusing on a high-fat, good-quality meat. Ground beef with an 80/20 fat-to-lean ratio is ideal for flavor and fat content. Avoid pre-made mixes or filler ingredients like breadcrumbs, which can add hidden carbs. Season generously with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder for maximum flavor.

Toppings and Condiments: Keto-Friendly Choices

Careful topping selection is crucial to staying in ketosis. Many standard burger toppings are fine, but others are loaded with sugar.

Keto-Approved Toppings

Cheese: Cheddar, Swiss, provolone, blue cheese, and pepper jack are all excellent low-carb options.
Bacon: Crispy, sugar-free bacon adds a fantastic salty flavor and extra fat.
Avocado or Guacamole: An excellent source of healthy fats that adds creaminess and flavor.
Pickles and Jalapeños: Most dill pickles and jalapeños are low-carb, but always check labels for added sugar.
Sautéed Mushrooms and Onions: Cooked in butter or ghee, these add a savory depth of flavor with minimal carbs.

The Condiment Crossover

Classic ketchup and BBQ sauce are often high in sugar. Stick to these keto-safe alternatives:

Mayonnaise: A great source of healthy fat and a perfect burger condiment.
Mustard: Classic yellow or dijon mustard is typically low in carbs.
Sugar-Free Ketchup or BBQ Sauce: Many brands now offer low-carb, sugar-free versions of these classics.
Chipotle Mayo or Ranch: Easy to make at home or find sugar-free versions of for extra creaminess.

Comparison of Keto Burger Buns


Bun Alternative	Pros	Cons	Best For
Lettuce Wrap	Zero carbs, refreshing crunch, widely available at restaurants.	Can be messy, less structural integrity than a bun.	Quick fast food keto hacks and lighter summer meals.
Portobello Mushroom	Hearty, flavorful, and a great meat-like texture.	Can get soggy if not cooked properly, might not suit all tastes.	A richer, more gourmet burger experience.
Keto Bread Bun	Mimics traditional bun texture, good structural integrity.	Requires homemade preparation or special purchase, can be higher in carbs than lettuce.	When you specifically crave the feel of a traditional bun.
No Bun (Bowl)	Easiest option, zero carbs from the bun.	Requires a fork and knife, not a "burger" experience.	A simple, carb-free meal at home or in a restaurant.

Conclusion

Enjoying a burger on a ketogenic diet is completely possible and can be delicious and satisfying. The central rule is to eliminate the high-carb bun and sugary condiments and focus on the high-fat, high-protein components. Whether you opt for a lettuce-wrapped version from a fast-food chain or craft a gourmet burger at home with a portobello mushroom bun, you have numerous options. By being mindful of your choices, you can satisfy your craving without compromising your dietary goals. For further tips and recipes, consider exploring dedicated low-carb culinary blogs, such as those from reputable sources.

Frequently Asked Questions

A 'protein-style' burger is a term, often used at chains like In-N-Out, that refers to a burger where the bun is replaced by a large, crisp lettuce wrap. It's a popular hack for keto dieters and those looking to reduce carbs.

Yes, a plain burger patty from most fast-food restaurants is keto-friendly. The main concern comes from the bun, ketchup, or other high-sugar additions. Many chains use 100% beef patties without added fillers.

Sturdy, large-leafed types like iceberg, romaine, Boston, or butterhead lettuce are the best options for lettuce wraps. They are flexible enough to hold your burger and toppings without falling apart.

You should avoid most regular ketchup, sweet relish, and BBQ sauces, as these are typically high in added sugars. Opt for sugar-free versions, or use keto-safe alternatives like mayonnaise and mustard.

Homemade keto buns, often made with almond flour or coconut flour, offer a texture closer to traditional bread and can hold a burger together better. Lettuce wraps are a lighter, zero-carb alternative. The 'better' option depends on your personal preference and how much effort you want to put in.

While most fast-food restaurants will accommodate a request for no bun, it's always a good idea to confirm with the staff. Some chains, like In-N-Out and Jersey Mike's, are known for this and even have specific low-carb menu items.

If you need a binder, you can use grated parmesan cheese, almond crumbs, or crushed pork rinds instead of traditional breadcrumbs. Some burger recipes also use an egg to help hold the patty together.