High-Protein Keto Cabbage Burgers
Juicy beef patties roasted on caramelized cabbage steaks — the bunless burger that eats like a meal
These high-protein keto cabbage burgers skip the bun entirely: seasoned beef patties roasted right on top of thick cabbage steaks, so the drippings flavor the cabbage while it caramelizes.
Per serving (1–2 patties + cabbage): 35 g protein, 5 g net carbs, 380 calories — ready in 40 minutes.
Why you’ll love these cabbage burgers
- 35g protein per serving — burger night without the bun
- Only 5g net carbs per serving
- Caramelized cabbage steaks soak up all the beefy drippings
- One sheet pan, minimal cleanup
- Ready in 40 minutes
- Customizable with all your favorite burger toppings
Health notes
- High protein: 35g per serving from beef.
- Low carb: Just 5g net carbs — no bun, no sugar.
- Sugar-free: No added sugar anywhere.
- Veggie boost: A full serving of cabbage per plate.
Key element — roast the cabbage first until the edges caramelize
Give the cabbage steaks a 15-minute head start in the oven before the patties go on. Raw cabbage under the patties steams instead of caramelizing — and soggy cabbage ruins the whole plate.
Ingredients
Cabbage steaks
- 1 medium head of cabbage, cut into 1-inch thick rounds
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Beef patties
- 2 lbs ground beef (80/20)
- 1 large egg
- ¼ cup almond flour
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
To serve (optional)
- Sliced cheese, mustard, pickles, sliced onion
- Sugar-free ketchup
Swaps
- Turkey: Use ground turkey — add 1 Tbsp olive oil to the mix so it stays juicy.
- Pork: Ground pork or a beef-pork mix works great.
- Cheeseburger: Lay a slice of cheese on each patty for the last 2 minutes.
- Spicy: Add diced jalapeños and chili powder to the beef mix.
Instructions
| 1 | Heat the oven. Heat to 400°F. Line a large sheet pan with parchment and brush with olive oil. |
| 2 | Roast the cabbage first. Lay the cabbage rounds on the pan, brush with olive oil, and season with salt and pepper. Roast 15 minutes until the edges start to caramelize. |
| 3 | Make the patties. While the cabbage roasts, mix the ground beef, egg, almond flour, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Form into 8 patties. |
| 4 | Assemble. Place one patty on each roasted cabbage round. |
| 5 | Bake. Return to the oven and bake 15–18 minutes, until the patties reach 160°F internal. Add cheese for the last 2 minutes if you like. |
| 6 | Rest and serve. Rest 5 minutes, then serve with your favorite burger toppings. |
Pro tips
- Cut the cabbage rounds evenly — 1 inch thick — so they cook at the same rate.
- Don’t press the patties down — you squeeze out the juices.
- A meat thermometer is the only reliable way to know the patties are done.
- Let the patties rest 5 minutes so the juices redistribute.
- Leftover drippings on the pan make a great spoon-over sauce.
Nutrition
| Nutrient | Per serving (1–2 patties + cabbage) |
|---|---|
| Calories | 380 |
| Protein | 35g |
| Net carbohydrates | 5g |
| Total carbohydrates | 7g |
| Fiber | 2g |
| Total fat | 24g |
| Sodium | 520mg |
Per serving (1–2 patties + cabbage, 4 servings), based on 80/20 ground beef, egg, almond flour, cabbage, and olive oil.
Variations
Cheeseburger
Lay a slice of cheddar on each patty for the last 2 minutes of baking.
Bacon
Top each patty with a half slice of cooked bacon before serving.
Spicy
Add diced jalapeños and 1 teaspoon of chili powder to the beef mix.
Mushroom Swiss
Top with sautéed mushrooms and a slice of Swiss cheese.
Storage
| Method | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Refrigerator | Up to 4 days | Store patties and cabbage separately |
| Freezer | Up to 2 months | Freeze patties only; cabbage doesn’t freeze well |
| Reheat | — | Oven or air fryer at 375°F until hot; keeps the cabbage edges crisp |
FAQ
Test your knowledge
5 quick questions about these cabbage burgers
1. Protein per serving (1–2 patties + cabbage)?
2. Net carbs per serving?
3. Why roast the cabbage before adding the patties?
4. How long until the cabbage burgers are ready?
5. What internal temperature are the patties done?
