I have made these keto feta burgers so many times that they have become one of those recipes I can practically make with my eyes closed. I’ve made them when I’m eating keto, I’ve made them when I’m trying to get more protein into my day, and I’ve made them when I’m entertaining. And every single time, they disappear.
There is something about the combination of juicy beef, salty feta and that creamy tomato sauce that just works. It feels like proper comfort food, but without the need for a pile of carbs on the side. And, despite the name, you absolutely do not need to be following a keto diet to make them.
The tomato sauce situation
I have a bit of a problem with tomato sauce. I love it. Probably more than is reasonable for a grown woman.
The problem is that many traditional tomato sauces and condiments can contain a surprising amount of added sugar. When I’m trying to keep things lower carb, that’s one of those little extras that can add up without really making the meal any more satisfying.
These burgers were actually the first burgers I’ve ever eaten where I didn’t immediately reach for tomato sauce. Instead, you get that lovely tomato flavour from the creamy sauce, which is made with just a little tomato paste, beef stock and cream. It is rich, savoury and slightly tangy, and it coats the burgers beautifully.
Honestly, I don’t miss the tomato sauce at all.
Why I love these feta burgers
The feta is what makes these burgers different from your standard homemade beef burger. It gets mixed directly into the meat along with fresh basil and garlic, so you get little pockets of salty, creamy feta throughout the burger rather than having to add cheese on top.
They are also wonderfully juicy. The combination of beef, egg and feta gives you a burger that stays tender rather than turning into one of those dense, dry homemade patties that requires an aggressive amount of sauce to make it edible.
And then there is the sauce. Once the burgers have cooked, you use the same pan to make the creamy tomato sauce, scraping up all those delicious browned bits left behind by the beef. This is one of those recipes where the pan is doing a lot of the work for you.
A great high-protein dinner
If you’re trying to increase your protein intake, these are an easy dinner to add to the rotation. Beef is naturally protein-rich, and because the recipe makes 14 smaller patties, you can easily adjust your portion depending on what else you are serving. 2 small patties contain approx 36 grams of protein.
I also like that this doesn’t feel like a stereotypical “high-protein meal”. There is no chicken breast and broccoli situation happening here. It is proper comfort food that happens to work very well when you’re trying to get more protein into your diet.
And if you’re following keto or simply trying to keep your carbohydrate intake lower, the burgers and creamy tomato sauce work beautifully without a bun.
You don’t have to eat them keto
This is one of the things I like most about this recipe. It can very easily be adapted depending on what you are in the mood for.
This is a great keto option as 2 patties only contain approximately 5 grams of carbs. To maintain a low carb meal, serve the burgers with a fresh green salad, steamed vegetables or another low-carb side. The creamy sauce is rich enough that you really don’t need much else.
If you aren’t following a low-carb diet, put the burgers on a hamburger bun and you have a very good homemade burger. In fact, these are a great option when you’re cooking for a family because you don’t have to make completely different meals for everyone.
And if you want to go somewhere in between, serve them with sweet potato chips. Is that technically the most keto-friendly option? Absolutely not. Is it delicious? Also absolutely yes.
They are surprisingly good for entertaining
I first started making these as an everyday dinner, but I’ve also served them when entertaining and they have always been a hit. There is something about putting a skillet of creamy, saucy little burgers on the table that feels much more impressive than the amount of effort involved.
The recipe is also easy to scale, and because the burgers are smaller patties rather than enormous traditional burgers, they work particularly well when you’re serving a few different sides.
They are also one of those meals where nobody needs to know that they are eating a “keto” or “low-carb” recipe. I have found that the easiest healthy meals to serve other people are the ones where you don’t announce that they’re healthy. Just put them on the table and let everyone enjoy them.
And yes, the kids like them too
Any recipe that works for adults and children gets bonus points from me.
The feta adds flavour without making the burgers taste overly complicated, and the creamy tomato sauce is mild enough that it generally goes down well with kids too. If you have particularly suspicious small people who object to anything remotely unfamiliar, you can always serve the sauce on the side.
For the adults, I would happily drown my burgers in it.
How to serve feta burgers
For me, a fresh green salad is the obvious pairing. The crispness of the salad cuts through the richness of the creamy sauce and gives you a really easy low-carb dinner.
If you’re not worried about keeping things keto, sweet potato chips are another favourite. They give you that salty, crispy element alongside the soft burgers and creamy sauce.
And, of course, there is always the bun. Put a couple of these burgers into a toasted hamburger bun, spoon over some of that tomato cream sauce and you’ve got a very different – but equally delicious – meal.
Feta Burgers with Tomato Cream Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 kg ground beef
- 120 grams feta Cheese
- 1 egg
- 2 tbsp fresh chopped basil
- 2 tsp minced garlic
- 2 tbsp beef stock
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- salt and pepper to taste
- oil for cooking
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, egg, feta cheese, chopped basil, minced garlic as well as salt and pepper to taste. Mix with hands until well blended.
- Form the meat mixture into 14 equal-sized patties.
- Heat a large frying pan over medium-high heat, and cook the patties until they reach your desired level of doneness. You may have to cook the patties in two or more batches depending on the size of your pan.
- Remove the patties from the pan and set aside. Drain the extra grease out of the pan.
- Lower the temperature to medium. Place 2 tbsp of beef stock into the pan to deglaze it. Scrape the bits off the bottom of the pan.
- Whisk in 1 cup of heavy whipping cream, 1 tsp of Italian seasoning and 2 tbsp of tomato paste. Mix until well combined.
- Add in salt and pepper to taste, and cook the sauce down until it has thickened.
- Place the patties back into the pan, and toss to coat in the sauce.
- Serve warm.
Notes
The bottom line
These feta burgers have earned their place in my regular recipe rotation because they are one of those rare meals that tick a lot of boxes without feeling like they’re ticking boxes. They’re keto-friendly, high in protein, family-friendly, easy enough for a weeknight and good enough to serve when you’re having people over. Most importantly, they actually taste delicious. And after making them so many times, I can confidently say these are the only burgers I’ve ever made where I don’t miss the tomato sauce.
Keto Feta Burgers FAQ
Are feta burgers keto-friendly?
Yes. These feta burgers are naturally low in carbohydrates and work well for a keto meal when served without a traditional burger bun and paired with a low-carb side such as a green salad or vegetables. As always with keto, check the labels on your ingredients if you are following a strict carbohydrate target.
Are these feta burgers high in protein?
Yes. The burgers are made primarily with ground beef, feta and egg, making them a protein-rich option for dinner. The exact amount of protein per serving will depend on the size of your patties and the specific ingredients you use.
Can I serve these burgers on a bun?
Absolutely. If you aren’t following a keto or low-carb diet, these burgers are delicious served in a toasted hamburger bun. You can also use a low-carb or keto-friendly bun if you want the burger experience while keeping the meal lower in carbohydrates.
Can I make the burgers ahead of time?
Yes. You can prepare and shape the burger patties ahead of time and keep them covered in the refrigerator until you’re ready to cook them. This makes them particularly handy when you want to get dinner started quickly or are entertaining.
Can I freeze feta burgers?
Yes. The uncooked burger patties can be frozen and then thawed in the refrigerator before cooking. You can also freeze cooked burgers, although I find they are at their best when freshly cooked and coated in the creamy tomato sauce.
What can I serve with feta burgers?
For a low-carb meal, I love serving these with a simple fresh green salad. Steamed or roasted vegetables would also work well. If you’re not following keto, sweet potato chips are a great option, or serve the burgers in buns for a more traditional burger dinner.
Can I make these burgers without the tomato cream sauce?
Of course. The burgers are delicious on their own, particularly if you want something simple. However, I highly recommend making the sauce at least once. The creamy tomato sauce is what takes these from ordinary homemade burgers to something I actually crave.
Can I use another type of mince?
Yes. You can experiment with other types of ground meat, although beef is my favourite for this recipe because it pairs so well with the feta, garlic and creamy tomato sauce. If you substitute the meat, keep in mind that cooking times may vary.
Are these burgers suitable for kids?
Yes. These are a great family dinner because you can serve them differently depending on everyone’s preferences. Kids can have them on a bun with their favourite sides, while adults can enjoy them with a salad or other low-carb vegetables.
Can I make smaller burgers for a party?
Definitely. The recipe already makes smaller patties, which makes them ideal for entertaining. You can make them slightly smaller for a party and serve them as little burger bites, either with the sauce spooned over them or on the side for dipping.
