Grilled Onion Cheddar Burgers & Coleslaw

Delicious grilled onion Cheddar burger patties with red cabbage coleslaw salad make for a perfect gluten-free, low-carb, keto-friendly meal. Made with nutrient-dense beef, these cheesy hamburger patties are served without a bun, on top of or wrapped in lettuce. You can add a bun if you wish.

Grilled Onion Cheddar Burgers

My favourite thing about these naked burgers is the melted cheese over beef patties and the addition of grilled onions. They are perfectly savoury and juicy, with touch of ketchup to add a little acidity and sweetness.

For optimal nutrition, I like to use grass-fed beef and for extra flavour, Cheddar is my choice of cheese. You can use any type of cheese you like here. If you want to keep this meal low-carb or keto, serve the grilled onion cheeseburgers naked without a bun or you can try this recipe for keto burger buns. I use a sugar-free ketchup sauce.

Red Cabbage Coleslaw

Whenever I make hamburgers, I love a creamy cabbage coleslaw on the side. It’s a satiating salad that works particularly well with low-carb or keto burgers without a bun.

Made with red cabbage, grated carrots, red peppers and onions and a dressing of mayonnaise, yoghurt and mustard, this coleslaw salad is healthy, delicious and works well with burgers, grilled meats, chicken or fish. It’s great in tacos or as a side dish with almost any main dish.

You can make this slaw with white or red cabbage. I like the red cabbage because it adds a burst of colour AND has more antioxidants due to its pigments.

How To make Grilled Onion Cheddar Burgers

Hamburger patties: I highly recommend using grass-fed beef. It’s only slightly more expensive but the taste and nutrition is far more superior and is worth that extra. The seasonings are pretty simple: salt, pepper, paprika and garlic. A lot of the flavour will come from grilled onions, Cheddar cheese and ketchup (I used Undivided Food sugar-free tomato ketchup).

Coleslaw: Shredded red cabbage, carrots, red capsicum (bell peppers), finely sliced onions, salt and pepper, mustard, mayonnaise and Greek yoghurt (I use this to lighten up the dressing and add a bit of tang). For a dairy-free version, use more mayo and a splash of lemon juice, omit yoghurt.

Step 1. Combine beef hamburger ingredients in a bowl and mix using your hands.
Step 2. Roll beef mixture into round, flat patties and set aside.

Step 3. Cut the onions into thin circles. If you like lots of onion on your burger, feel free to fry up a bigger batch.
Step 4. In a medium or large frying pan or a skillet, heat the oil over medium. Add the onions and salt cook for 5-6 minutes until softened and slightly caramelised. Finish with a drizzle of Balsamic and stir through.

Step 5. Pan-fry or grill the hamburger patties over medium-high heat for 3 minutes on the first side.

Step 6. Flip over, spread a tablespoon of ketchup on each and top with a few slices of Cheddar cheese. Cover with a lid and cook for 3-4 more minutes. The cheese should melt while the patties are cooking.

Step 7. You can leave the patties in the pan or a skillet or transfer them to a platter with lettuce leaves and sliced tomatoes. Or have lettuce leaves and sliced tomatoes tucked on the side of the pan. Top each burger patty with grilled onions. You can sprinkle fried shallots or some chopped spring onions or even a little extra grated Cheddar.

Step 8. While the burger patties are cooking or ahead of time, slice and grate the vegetables for the coleslaw. Whisk the dressing and mix through the salad until well coated. Serve alongside the burgers.

Nutrition Notes

This low-carb burgers and coleslaw meal is designed for four servings. Here are macros:

Grilled onion Cheddar burger (per patty with toppings) : 418 calories, 8.6g total carbs, 1.2 g fibre (7.5 g net carbs), 32.8 g protein, 27.8 g fat. Nutrient-dense, especially high in B-vitamins (including B12 and folic acid), zinc, and iron. In fact, one serving will meet your daily requirements for B12 and 66% of zinc needs. Good amounts of calcium, too, 18% of daily value.

Red cabbage coleslaw: 149 calories, 9.3 g total carbs, 2.6 g fibre (6.7 g net carbs), 3.2 g protein, 11.4 g fat. High in vitamins, especially A, C and K and fibre. If you’re controlling calories, feel free to use light mayo or light yoguhrt.

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Full Recipe

Find the full list of ingredients, instructions and extra cooking notes below. If you have questions or cook this recipe, please let me know in the comments and make sure to rate this recipe so it’s easy for others to find.

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Credits: Recipe by Irena Macri | Photography by Lindsay Fordham of That LOFO Life.