Imagine sinking your teeth into a juicy, perfectly seasoned burger without the guilt of carb-heavy buns, topped with a creamy, vibrant spinach sauce that transforms an ordinary meal into a gourmet delight. This Spinach Sauce Bunless Burger is not just a recipe; it's a culinary adventure that proves healthy eating can be incredibly delicious and satisfying. Whether you're following a low-carb diet, looking to cut down on bread, or simply craving a protein-packed meal that doesn't compromise on flavor, this recipe is about to become your new obsession.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 15 mins
Total Time: 25 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 2 servings
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 cup fresh spinach, chopped
- 1/4 cup onion, diced
- 1/4 cup cream cheese
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare all ingredients by washing and chopping spinach, dicing onions, and measuring out cream cheese and seasonings.
- In a medium mixing bowl, combine ground beef, diced onions, salt, and pepper. Gently mix the ingredients without overworking the meat to maintain tenderness.
- Form the ground beef mixture into two equal-sized patties, creating a slight indentation in the center of each to prevent bulging during cooking.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until the oil is shimmering and hot.
- Place the beef patties in the skillet and cook for approximately 4-5 minutes on each side for medium doneness, or adjust cooking time to your preferred level of doneness.
- While burgers are cooking, prepare the spinach sauce by combining chopped spinach and cream cheese in a small saucepan over low heat.
- Stir the spinach and cream cheese mixture until smooth and heated through, about 2-3 minutes.
- Once burgers are cooked, remove from skillet and let rest for 2-3 minutes to retain juices.
- Plate the bunless burgers and generously top each with the warm spinach cream cheese sauce.
- Serve immediately, optionally with a side salad or roasted vegetables for a complete meal.
Tips
- Keep your ground beef cold until just before mixing to maintain optimal texture.
- Don't overwork the meat when forming patties - this keeps the burger tender and juicy.
- Create a small dimple in the center of each patty to prevent it from puffing up during cooking.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure perfect doneness: 160°F for well-done, 150°F for medium-well.
- Let the burger rest after cooking to allow juices to redistribute, ensuring maximum flavor and moisture.
- For extra flavor, consider adding minced garlic or fresh herbs to your beef mixture.
- If you prefer a lighter sauce, you can substitute cream cheese with Greek yogurt for a tangier, lower-fat option.
- Experiment with different ground meats like turkey or lamb for variety.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 380kcal
Carbohydrates: 3g
Protein: 28g
Fat: 29g
Saturated Fat: 12g
Cholesterol: 110mg
