Tasty Keto Feta Burgers

My friends go wild for this filling keto burger with feta and tomato cream sauce. It's now my top pick when guests come over but I don't want to slave away cooking. The feta mixes so well with the beef, and that smooth tomato sauce takes these burgers up a notch from your run-of-the-mill options.

I came up with these burgers while planning dinner for friends where half were doing keto. They got so many compliments that now pals ask for them every time they visit.

What You'll Need

• Ground beef: Go for 80/20 meat-to-fat mix for extra juicy, flavorful patties
• Feta cheese: Brings a salty tang that's amazing—buy a block and crumble it yourself for best results
• Egg: Keeps your burger patties together so they won't fall apart
• Fresh chopped basil: Gives that wonderful smell and taste that makes these stand out
• Minced garlic: The real stuff works way better than powder for that zesty kick
• Beef stock: Helps scrape up the tasty bits in the pan and starts your sauce
• Heavy whipping cream: Makes the sauce super smooth—try to find one without extra stuff added
• Italian seasoning: A handy mix that adds lots of flavor, fresh dried herbs work best
• Chopped green onions: Adds a light oniony taste and nice green color
• Tomato paste: Packs intense tomato flavor while thickening sauce without adding many carbs
• Salt and pepper: Can't cook without these basics

Cooking Instructions

Mix burger ingredients:

Throw the ground beef, egg, feta cheese, basil, garlic, salt and pepper into a big bowl. Mix with your hands but don't squeeze too much or you'll end up with tough burgers.

Shape into patties:

Split the mixture into 14 equal parts and flatten them to about 1/2 inch thick. Push your thumb into the middle of each to create a little dent, which stops them from bulging up when cooking.

Cook your burgers:

Get a big pan really hot over medium-high heat. Put the patties in with space between them—about an inch apart. Let them cook 3-4 minutes each side for medium, or however you like them. You'll probably need to cook in batches.

Let them sit:

Take out the cooked patties and put them on a plate. Cover loosely with foil. This break lets the juices spread back through the meat.

Clean the pan:

Pour off most of the fat from the pan but leave about a tablespoon for flavor. Turn the heat down to medium.

Free up tasty bits:

Pour beef stock into the hot pan and scrape all those brown bits off the bottom with a wooden spoon. Those bits pack tons of flavor for your sauce.

Make the sauce:

While it's still hot, stir in the cream, Italian seasoning, green onions, and tomato paste. Keep stirring until everything mixes well and turns a nice pink color.

Taste and thicken:

Add salt and pepper how you like it, then let it bubble gently for 5-7 minutes until it gets thick enough to stick to a spoon. The sauce should feel rich and smooth.

Put it all together:

Put the patties back in the pan, nestling them into the sauce. Spoon sauce over them and let everything cook together another 2-3 minutes so flavors can mix.

Final touches:

Put patties on plates, pour plenty of sauce over them, and sprinkle with fresh green onions for color and extra zing.

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I really think the fresh basil makes these burgers extra special. During summer I use basil from my garden just for making these. My husband used to always want regular burgers but now he asks for these whenever we have company.

Prepare Ahead Ideas

These feta keto burgers work great for planning ahead. You can form your patties up to a day before and store them covered in the fridge. Just put some parchment paper between them so they don't stick together.

Great Side Dishes

Though these burgers taste awesome by themselves, they go really well with several keto-friendly sides. Try serving them with roasted cauliflower, zucchini noodles, or a fresh green salad topped with a fatty dressing.

Ways To Switch It Up

You can easily change this recipe based on what you like or what's in your kitchen. Here are some tweaks I've tried that turned out great:

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Once you try these burgers, they'll definitely become one of your favorite keto meals for family dinners or when friends come over!

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I substitute the feta cheese with another type of cheese?

Absolutely, you can swap feta for goat cheese or blue cheese to create a different taste. If you want something milder, try using mozzarella or cheddar, though you won't get that nice tangy kick that makes feta work so well in this dish.

→ How do I know when the burgers are cooked properly?

Beef patties need to reach 160°F (71°C) inside for safety. A meat thermometer works best to check this. If you don't have one, look for burgers that are brown outside and show no pink in the middle when you cut them open.

→ Can I make this dish ahead of time?

You can make the patties up to a day before and keep them in your fridge covered up. The finished meal stays good for 3-4 days in the refrigerator. When you warm it up, do it slowly on the stove and add a bit of cream to freshen up the sauce.

→ What can I serve with these keto feta burgers?

These burgers go great with keto-friendly sides like mashed cauliflower, zucchini noodles, roasted Brussels sprouts, or a simple green salad. Add some avocado slices for extra healthy fats to round out your keto meal.

→ How can I thicken the tomato cream sauce if it's too thin?

If your sauce runs too thin, just let it bubble away until it gets thicker. Need a quick fix? Add a tiny bit of xanthan gum (about ¼ teaspoon) and stir well. Don't use cornstarch or flour since they'll add carbs and aren't good for keto eating.

→ Can I freeze these burgers with the sauce?

You can freeze these cooked burgers with sauce for up to 3 months in a sealed container. When you want to eat them, let them thaw in your fridge overnight and warm them up slowly on the stove. Add a splash of cream if the sauce looks separated.