🍔 LOW-CARB Copycat In-N-Out Flying Dutchman Burgers
Juicy beef patties + melted cheese + caramelized onion “buns” 🤯🔥
A delicious high-protein, low-carb dinner that skips the traditional burger bun.
🛒 Ingredients
Makes 2 burgers
For the burgers
- 8 oz (225 g) lean ground beef
- 2 slices American cheese or cheddar cheese
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce, optional
For the onion “buns”
- 1 large yellow onion
- 1 tsp olive oil or butter
- Pinch of salt
- 1 tsp water, as needed
Optional low-carb sauce
- 2 tbsp mayonnaise
- 1 tbsp sugar-free ketchup
- 1 tsp yellow mustard
- 1 tsp finely chopped pickles
- ¼ tsp garlic powder
👩🍳 Detailed Instructions
- Prepare the onions
Peel the onion and cut it into thick rounds, about ½–¾ inch thick. Carefully separate some of the larger outer rings. These will become your “buns.” - Caramelize the onion
Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-low heat. Add the olive oil or butter.
Place the onion rounds in the pan and sprinkle lightly with salt. Cook for about 5–7 minutes per side, turning gently, until they’re soft, golden brown, and caramelized.
If they start sticking or browning too quickly, add 1–2 teaspoons of water and lower the heat.
Remove the onions and set aside.
- Season the beef
Add ground beef, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and Worcestershire sauce to a bowl. Mix gently until just combined.
Divide into 4 thin patties. Thin patties work best because you’ll stack two together for each burger.
- Cook the patties
Heat the same skillet over medium-high heat.
Cook the patties for approximately 2–3 minutes per side, or until cooked through to your preferred safe doneness. For ground beef, cook to 160°F/71°C internally.
- Add the cheese 🧀
Place a cheese slice on two of the patties. Put the remaining patties on top and let the cheese melt for about 30–60 seconds. - Assemble
Place one caramelized onion round on a plate. Add the double-patty cheese-filled burger stack.
Top with another caramelized onion round.
If your onion rings aren’t large enough to cover the burger, simply use several overlapping onion pieces.
- Add sauce
Drizzle or spread a small amount of the optional low-carb sauce over the burger before adding the top onion “bun.”
💪 Approximate Nutrition
Per burger, using 8 oz total lean ground beef and 2 cheese slices:
- Protein: ~30–35 g
- Carbs: ~8–12 g total, depending mainly on the amount of onion and sauce
- Fat: varies with the beef and cheese used
Tip: For the lowest-carb version, use less onion and choose a sugar-free ketchup/sauce.
🔥 Extra Tips
- Don’t cook the onions on high heat—they need low and slow cooking to become sweet and golden.
- Use a leaner ground beef if you want more protein with less fat.
- For extra protein, serve with a side of Greek-yogurt-based ranch dip or a simple cucumber salad.
- Want it even more like a classic Flying Dutchman? Keep the toppings simple: beef + cheese + grilled onions.
