In-N-Out Style Smash Burgers

The healthy burger Hector came up with: crispy smash burgers with a mustard sear and melted American cheese, caramelized onions, and a light special sauce made with Greek yogurt and sugar-free ketchup, on keto buns. All the In-N-Out flavor with more protein and less guilt.

1. 1

   Make the special sauce

   📋 You'll need

   • 120 g light mayo (for the sauce)
   • 60 g sugar-free ketchup
   • 60 g plain Greek yogurt
   • 60 g milk
   • 45 g finely diced dill pickles
   • 35 g finely diced white onion (for the sauce)
   • 30 g yellow mustard (for the sauce)
   • 0.5 tsp smoked paprika
   • 0.5 tsp garlic powder (for the sauce)
   • 0.5 tsp onion powder (for the sauce)
   • 0.3 tsp salt (for the sauce)
   • 2 tsp Splenda

   Stir together the light mayo, sugar-free ketchup, Greek yogurt, and milk. Add the diced pickles, diced white onion, mustard, and spices (1/2 tsp smoked paprika, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1/2 tsp onion powder, and 1/4 tsp salt). Sweeten with 2 tsp Splenda and whisk until smooth. Chill while you cook.

2. 2

   Caramelize the onion

   📋 You'll need

   • 135 g white onion

   Dice the white onion. In a skillet over medium heat, cook it with a pinch of salt until soft. Lower to medium-low and keep cooking 10–15 minutes, adding 1–2 Tbsp of water as needed, until golden and jammy.

3. 3

   Shape the beef

   📋 You'll need

   • 454 g ground beef (80/20)

   Divide the ground beef into 2 oz (~57 g) portions and pack them into tight balls or thick pucks.

4. 4

   Smash the patties

   📋 You'll need

   • the beef balls
   • 1 tsp oil spray
   • 0.5 tsp salt (for the patties)
   • 0.3 tsp black pepper (for the patties)
   • 0.5 tsp garlic powder (for the patties)

   Heat a skillet or griddle over medium-high to high with a little oil spray. Place the beef balls, wait 10–15 seconds, then smash them firmly straight down to about 1/4 inch thick. Season each batch with 1/2 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp pepper, and 1/2 tsp garlic powder.

5. 5

   Mustard sear & cheese

   📋 You'll need

   • 15 g yellow mustard (for the sear)
   • 3 slices American cheese

   Cook 60–90 seconds. Spread a thin layer of yellow mustard on top of each patty and flip so the mustard side hits the pan. Cook 45–75 seconds more, add a slice of cheese to each patty, and let it melt.

6. 6

   Toast the buns

   📋 You'll need

   • 3 pieces keto burger buns

   Remove the patties and lightly toast the keto buns cut-side down in the same pan for 1–2 minutes.

7. 7

   Build the burgers

   📋 You'll need

   • 100 g lettuce, tomato, and pickles
   • the cheesy patty
   • the caramelized onion
   • the special sauce

   Shred the lettuce and slice the tomato and pickles if using. Build each burger: bottom bun, 1 Tbsp special sauce, lettuce/tomato/pickles, the cheesy patty (single or double), the caramelized onions, another Tbsp of sauce, and the top bun.