Low-Carb Taco Burger (Copycat In-N-Out “Animal Style”)
This Low-Carb Taco Burger is so satisfying, you won’t even miss eating hamburger buns or flour tortillas! Layers of crispy beef merge with melty cheese and are topped with all of your favorite In-N-Out flavors, all under a perfectly cooked keto-friendly tortilla.
Mouthwatering Keto Taco Burger Recipe
Being on a low-carb diet does not necessarily mean you have to say goodbye to all the flavors you love! And this low-carb taco burger is the perfect example of this.
Like many of you, I’m obsessed with In-N-Out burgers and Animal-Style fries… but being low-carb, I thought my days with this addictive dish were over. That is until I realized I could make my own low-carb version that tastes JUST as delicious and mouthwatering as the OG. The secret? Low-carb tortillas! Now I’m officially hooked, and you will be too. Say hello to your new favorite burger!
Why You’ll Love It
- It tastes JUST like In-N-Out, without all the carbs!
- You can easily double up the recipe for a large crowd.
- This easy taco burger recipe uses basic ingredients.
- You’ll find juicy, cheesy, flavorful goodness in every bite.
Featured Ingredients
(Note: These are the recipe’s starring ingredients, but you can find all the ingredients in the recipe card below!)
- Ground Beef: I used ground beef for this recipe, a la classic burger style.
- Low-Carb Tortilla: The key to making this low-carb. Use your favorite brand, or make your own!
- Dijon Mustard: Dijon is infused into the beef to give it tons of flavor.
- Yellow Onion: The best onion for caramelizing. It’s both sweet and delicious!
- Balsamic: I like to add balsamic to the caramelized onions for flavor and color.
- Mayonnaise: The base of my In-N-Out-inspired “Animal Style” sauce.
- Ketchup: A key ingredient for the Animal Style sauce. Use unsweetened if you’re keto.
- White Vinegar: This is what gives the sauce a bit of tasty acidity.
- Monk Fruit Sweetener: A natural, low-carb sweetener perfect for sweetening the sauce.
- Relish: Relish gives the sauce some texture and a slightly salty taste.
Try This Recipe with My Amazing Keto Tortillas!
Let’s be real. Homemade low-carb tortillas will always top store-bought, and my Keto Tortilla Recipe hits the jackpot. Made with my famous Kaizen lupin flour, each tortilla is 60 calories and has 2 net carbs, 6 grams of protein, and 3 grams of fat.
Whether you’re new to making homemade tortillas or can make them with your eyes closed, this recipe is for everyone. They’re soft, unbreakable, and make the perfect vessel for your favorite tortilla dishes.
Ingredient Substitutions
Ground Beef: You don’t need ground beef to make this recipe. Ground turkey, ground chicken, ground pork, or a vegetarian substitute will taste just as good.
Dijon: Not a fan of Dijon? Use yellow mustard or your favorite kind of mustard instead.
Balsamic: Balsamic can be omitted from this recipe and still taste great. You can also use Worcestershire or another similar alternative.
Monk Fruit: I prefer monk fruit sweetener, but you’re free to use your favorite kind of low-carb sweetener.
Relish: Don’t have relish? Just dice up some pickles for a similar texture and taste.
How to Make a Low-Carb Taco Burger
The steps are simple, and I’m outlining them below, but be sure to scroll to the bottom of the page to view the full, printable recipe card. You can also watch how it comes together in my Instagram reel!
STEP 1 – MAKE THE PATTIES
Season 1 pound of ground beef with a couple of pinches of salt, fresh cracked pepper, and garlic powder. Mix well.
Then form the burger mixture into 6 small, thin patties.
STEP 2 – ADD THE TORTILLAS & DIJON
Next, put the burger patties on parchment paper and top each of them with your favorite low-carb tortilla.
Then put another sheet of parchment paper on top, applying some weight to spread it out until there’s a thin layer of meat covering the surface of the tortilla.
Pro Tip: I like to use my hands to spread out the meat just to make sure it’s all even. You can use a rolling pin or a bottle, too.
Flip the tortilla burger over so that the meat is facing upward. Then spread the Dijon mustard evenly over the meat. Let it sit while you make the onions and sauce.
STEP 3 – CARAMELIZE ONIONS
Dice up your yellow onion and add butter to a pan on medium-low heat. Then add the onion and a couple of pinches of salt.
Stir frequently until caramelized, about 15 to 20 minutes. While the onions are cooking, pour in the balsamic. When done, turn off the heat and set aside.
STEP 4 – PREPARE SAUCE
In a small bowl, mix together the mayo, unsweetened ketchup, white vinegar, monk fruit sweetener, smoked paprika, and relish. Mix well, taste, and adjust if needed.
STEP 5 – COOK BEEF
Heat the oil in a pan over medium-high heat. Place the tortilla in the pan with the meat side down. Allow the meat to cook for a couple of minutes, pressing it down with a spatula. Make sure you keep the weight on it.
Next, flip the tortilla, tilting it a little bit to get rid of any excess moisture. Then cook for another minute with the tortilla side facing down.
STEP 6 – ASSEMBLE & SERVE
Now it’s time to assemble your delicious smash burger tacos!
Put a slice of your favorite cheese on the meat and put the lid over the pan for a few seconds to allow the cheese to melt.
Transfer your taco burger to a plate and top with your favorite toppings. Don’t forget the best part — the onions and sauce!
Serve and enjoy!
Other Tasty Topping Ideas
The best thing about burgers and tacos is that you can customize them with all sorts of toppings to make them your favorite creation. Here are some other topping ideas if you’d like to try something a bit different!
- BBQ Sauce
- Sour Cream
- Lime Juice
- Red Onion
- Pico De Gallo
- Ranch Dressing
- Pickles
- Jalapenos
- Mushrooms
Storage
Make sure there aren’t any toppings on your leftover low-carb taco burgers. Then store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 days.
More Recipes You’ll Love
- Low-Carb Bell Pepper Sandwich
- Cottage Cheese Ice Cream
- Keto Lettuce Wraps (Shrimp Louie Style)
- Cheese Stuffed Peppers
Low-Carb Taco Burger (Copycat In-N-Out "Animal Style")
These low-carb taco burgers are a keto-friendly version of the iconic Animal Style In-N-Out Burgers. It's crispy, juicy, cheesy, and seriously addictive.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- a few pinches of salt
- fresh cracked pepper, to taste
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 4 low-carb tortillas
- 1 teaspoon yellow mustard
- 1 large yellow onion, diced
- 1 to 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 teaspoons balsamic
- 2 tablespoons mayo
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened ketchup
- 1 to 2 teaspoons white vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon monk fruit sweetener
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 tablespoon relish
- 1 tablespoon oil
- slices of your favorite cheese
- burger toppings of choice
Instructions
- Season the ground beef with a couple of pinches of salt, fresh cracked pepper, and garlic powder. Mix well. Then form the burger mixture into 6 small, thin patties.
- Put the burger patties on parchment paper and top each of them with your favorite low-carb tortilla. Put another sheet of parchment paper on top, applying some weight to spread it out until there's a thin layer of meat covering the surface of the tortilla. I like to use my hands to spread out the meat just to make sure it's all even. You can use a rolling pin or a bottle, too.
- Flip the tortilla burger over so that the meat is facing upward. Spread the Dijon mustard evenly over the meat. Let it sit while you make the onions and sauce.
- Dice up your yellow onion and add butter to a pan on medium-low heat. Then add the onion and a couple of pinches of salt. Stir frequently until caramelized, about 15 to 20 minutes. While the onions are cooking, pour in the balsamic. Turn off the heat and set aside.
- In a small bowl, mix together the mayo, unsweetened ketchup, white vinegar, monk fruit sweetener, smoked paprika, and relish. Mix well, taste, and adjust if needed.
- Heat the oil in a pan over medium-high heat. Place the tortilla in the pan with the meat side down. Allow the meat to cook for a couple of minutes, pressing it down with a spatula. Make sure you keep the weight on it.
- Flip the tortilla, tilting it a little bit to get rid of any excess moisture. Then cook for another minute with the tortilla side facing down.
- Put a slice of your favorite cheese on the meat and put the lid over the pan for a few seconds to allow the cheese to melt.
- Transfer your taco burger to a plate and top with your favorite toppings. Don’t forget the onions and sauce! Serve and enjoy!
Notes
Storage: Make sure there aren't any toppings on your leftover low-carb taco burgers. Then store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 days.
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