Carrot Bun Cottage Cheese Burgers are a flavorful and nutritious twist on the classic burger. Made with shredded carrots, lean beef, and a creamy cottage cheese sauce, these buns offer a satisfying combination of taste and health benefits. Perfect for anyone looking to indulge in a delicious meal without the added calories from traditional bread, these burgers are high in protein and fiber, making them a great option for a healthy lifestyle.
Why make this Carrot Bun Cottage Cheese Burgers recipe
- Protein-rich: This recipe is packed with protein from lean ground beef and cottage cheese, making it an excellent choice for muscle building.
- Quick prep: Prepare these burgers in 30 minutes or less, perfect for weeknight dinners or last-minute lunches.
- Meal-prep friendly: These burgers are easy to store and reheat, making them ideal for meal prep enthusiasts.
- Low-carb: With carrot buns instead of traditional bread, these burgers fit well into low-carb diets.
- Budget-friendly: Simple ingredients mean you can whip up this meal without breaking the bank.
“I never knew I could enjoy burgers without the guilt until I tried these Carrot Bun Cottage Cheese Burgers!”
How to make Carrot Bun Cottage Cheese Burgers
Creating Carrot Bun Cottage Cheese Burgers is a straightforward process that requires minimal cooking skills. You’ll need a few simple tools, such as a mixing bowl, baking sheet, and skillet. If you love fast protein breakfasts, try our Cottage Cheese Pancakes for another nutritious option.
Ingredients
- Buns: 3 large carrots, shredded
- 2 eggs
- 3/4 cup reduced fat cheddar, shredded
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- Pinch black pepper
- 1 lb lean ground beef (93%)
- 1 egg
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- Pinch salt
- 4 slices reduced fat cheddar (optional)
- 1/2 cup cottage cheese
- 2 tbsp sugar-free ketchup
- 1 tsp yellow mustard
- 1 tsp pickle juice or lemon juice
These Carrot Bun Cottage Cheese Burgers come together easily, and various substitutions can be made, such as using turkey instead of beef for a lighter version or gluten-free options for the Worcestershire sauce.
Directions
- Preheat: Heat oven to 355–375°F. Line a sheet with parchment paper.
- Mix: In a bowl, combine shredded carrots, eggs, reduced fat cheddar, garlic powder, and black pepper. Scoop out and form 8 thin rounds, pressing to about 1/4 inch thick.
- Cook/Bake: Bake for 20–25 minutes until set and golden. Flip for the last 5 minutes to crisp up!
- Finish: In another bowl, mix ground beef with egg, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and salt. Form into 4 patties. Cook in a hot skillet for 3–4 minutes per side until browned and cooked through (160°F inside). Top with cheese if using, and blend cottage cheese, sugar-free ketchup, yellow mustard, and pickle juice until smooth for the sauce.
- Assemble: Use one carrot bun on the bottom, layer with lettuce, tomato, and pickles, then add the burger patty, a spoonful of cottage cheese sauce, and top with the second bun. Serve warm.
How to serve Carrot Bun Cottage Cheese Burgers
These burgers are delicious on their own or served with a side of sweet potato fries or a crisp green salad. For additional nutrients or flavor, consider adding fresh avocado slices or sautéed onions. A quick nutrition note: each burger is rich in protein while being lower in carbohydrates compared to traditional burgers.
How to store
These burgers can be stored in the fridge for up to 4 days, provided they are kept in an airtight container. For longer storage, you can freeze them for up to a month. Reheat by thawing overnight in the fridge and warming in the microwave or on the stovetop until heated through.
For safe storage timing, see USDA FoodData Central.
Tips to make
- Use parchment paper: Helps prevent sticking when baking the carrot buns.
- Cooking temperature: Ensure your skillet is hot before cooking the patties for a perfect sear.
- Customize flavor: Feel free to add herbs or spices to the beef mixture for a flavor boost.
Variations
- Veggie version: Substitute the ground beef with plant-based ground meat or black beans for a delicious vegetarian option.
- Gluten-free: Confirm that your Worcestershire sauce is gluten-free, or make your own.
- Spicy kick: Add jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce to the cottage cheese sauce for some heat.
FAQs
Can I meal prep Carrot Bun Cottage Cheese Burgers?
Yes, Carrot Bun Cottage Cheese Burgers keeps well for 3–4 days in the fridge; store in an airtight container.
Can I freeze leftovers?
Freeze portions for up to a month; thaw overnight, then reheat gently.
What substitutions work best?
You can swap lean ground beef with ground turkey or even chickpeas. Adjust seasoning to taste and texture.
For further nutrition insights, visit Healthline.
Enjoy these tasty Carrot Bun Cottage Cheese Burgers and feel free to share your feedback or favorite ways to use them in the comments!
Carrot Bun Cottage Cheese Burgers
Ingredients
For the Carrot Buns
- 3 large carrots, shredded
- 2 eggs eggs
- 3/4 cup reduced fat cheddar, shredded
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- Pinch black pepper
For the Burger Patties
- 1 lb lean ground beef (93%)
- 1 egg egg
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- Pinch salt
- 4 slices reduced fat cheddar (optional) Optional topping
For the Sauce
- 1/2 cup cottage cheese
- 2 tbsp sugar-free ketchup
- 1 tsp yellow mustard
- 1 tsp pickle juice or lemon juice
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat oven to 355–375°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a bowl, combine shredded carrots, eggs, reduced fat cheddar, garlic powder, and black pepper.
- Scoop out and form the mixture into 8 thin rounds, pressing them to about 1/4 inch thick.
Cooking the Buns
- Bake the carrot buns for 20–25 minutes until set and golden, flipping for the last 5 minutes to crisp up.
Cooking the Patties
- In another bowl, mix ground beef, egg, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and salt.
- Form the mixture into 4 patties.
- Cook the patties in a hot skillet for 3–4 minutes per side until browned and cooked through (internal temperature should be 160°F).
- Top with cheese slices if desired.
Making the Sauce
- Blend cottage cheese, sugar-free ketchup, yellow mustard, and pickle juice until smooth.
Assembly
- Use one carrot bun on the bottom, layer with lettuce, tomato, and pickles, then add the burger patty followed by a spoonful of the cottage cheese sauce, and top with the second bun.
- Serve warm.