Juicy beef burgers loaded with pepperoni, sugar-free pizza sauce, and melted mozzarella—everything you love about pizza in a satisfying low-carb burger! Serve them on grilled portobello mushroom caps for a naturally keto-friendly option,or use your favorite low-carb buns.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef (80/20 recommended)
- 16–24 slices pepperoni, preferably sugar-free or low-carb
- ½ cup sugar-free pizza sauce
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 4 large portobello mushroom caps or 4 low-carb burger buns
- Optional: sliced black olives, mushrooms, or spinach
- Optional: extra Italian seasoning for topping
Instructions
1. Prepare the Beef Patties
Add the ground beef to a large mixing bowl. Sprinkle in the Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Gently mix until the seasonings are evenly distributed. Avoid overmixing, which can make the burgers dense.
Divide the mixture into 4 equal portions and shape each into a burger patty slightly larger than your buns or mushroom caps, as the patties will shrink during cooking.
2. Prepare the Portobello Caps
If using portobello mushrooms, gently wipe them clean and remove the stems. Scrape out the gills if desired.
Brush the caps lightly with olive oil and season with a little salt and pepper.
3. Cook the Burgers
Heat a large skillet, grill pan, or outdoor grill over medium-high heat.
Cook the beef patties for about 4–5 minutes per side, or until cooked to your preferred doneness. For food safety, ground beef should reach 160°F (71°C) internally.
During the final minute of cooking, place several pepperoni slices on each patty.
4. Add the Pizza Sauce
Spread about 1–2 tablespoons of sugar-free pizza sauce over each burger patty, covering the top without letting too much sauce run off.
5. Add the Cheese
Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella generously over each burger. Cover the skillet or grill briefly and cook for another 1–2 minutes, until the cheese is completely melted and bubbly.
For an extra pizza-like finish, add a pinch of Italian seasoning over the melted cheese.
6. Cook the Mushroom Buns
While the burgers cook, grill or sauté the portobello caps for about 3–5 minutes per side, until tender but still sturdy enough to hold the burger.
If using low-carb buns, toast them lightly instead.
7. Assemble the Pizza Burgers
Place each cheesy pizza burger between two grilled portobello caps or inside a toasted low-carb bun.
Add optional toppings such as black olives, sautéed mushrooms, or spinach.
Serve hot and enjoy!
Keto Tips
- Choose a no-added-sugar pizza sauce and check the label for net carbs.
- Pepperoni can vary significantly in carbohydrates, so choose a low-carb variety.
- Portobello mushroom caps are a simple alternative to traditional buns.
- For even more pizza flavor, add a few extra pepperoni slices on top before serving.
Approximate Nutrition
Nutrition will vary depending on the beef, pepperoni, sauce, cheese, and bun or mushroom choice. Using 80/20 beef and portobello caps, each burger is generally high in protein and fat and relatively low in carbohydrates.
