The LoCho Low Carb ‘Dirty’ Burger
American dishes are often larger than life, and that’s definitely true for the dirty burger. Looking for a way to make a lower carb version of this disgracefully tasty treat from across the pond? Read on…
What is a ‘dirty burger’?
If you haven’t heard of a dirty burger, then there are two important things to know about this US import.
One, it’s typically made with a patty that’s high in fat.
Two, it’s usually piled high with all sorts of toppings… to the point where it looks super messy.
The original idea was that it was eye-wateringly unhealthy. But at LoCho, we think that ‘dirty’ doesn’t always have to mean that. To us, ‘dirty’ can just mean a juicy burger, topped with loads of good stuff. And we’re here to show you how to make it.
Making a not-so-dirty burger (that still looks dirty!)
The first consideration for making a lower carb dirty burger is the bread. And this is also the most important consideration, too. The truth is that most lower carb burger buns don’t stand a chance against a mile-high burger stack. And that’s not a mess that anyone will be keen to clean up!
LoCho low-carb bread rolls are different.
If you haven’t yet tried a LoCho roll, they’re packed with a unique seed blend that gives them more structure, more robustness, and more ‘bite’ than others. This means they hold up extra well… even when they’re loaded high with all sorts of deliciously tasty toppings.
The second consideration is meat. A traditional dirty burger will be a higher fat burger – and that’s fine. If you want to make it healthier, a leaner meat will be just as good. And it can be anything you like: beef, pork, chicken, turkey, lamb… whatever you fancy. Just try to steer clear of breaded meats if you’re keeping things lower carb, and avoid lower quality burgers that may be filled out with wheat.
The third consideration is your toppings. And oh, where to begin? Essentially, as long as it fits into your dietary requirements, go as crazy as you like! Some of our favourite burger toppings include…
- Fried egg
- Bacon
- Homemade chilli (without beans if you’re eating lower carb)
- Smashed avocado or guacamole
- Cheese slices
- Pulled pork
- Salad
- Gherkins
- Sauces, such as low sugar tomato sauce, mayonnaise, and vinegar-based hot sauce
Assembly
Now, onto the tricky part! How do you get all those toppings to sit nicely inside your burger bun?
Our secret is to lightly toast the inside of the bottom of the bun first, creating a crisp base for all your goodies to sit on. This also helps to add a nice yet subtle crunch to the dish, too. Yum!
Then, start building from the bottom up. Put your cooked patty – or patties if you’re going for a double – and your more solid ingredients (gherkins, cheese, and bacon, for example) on first. Then place the more liquidy ingredients like sauces on at the top. Add your top bun, and in true American fashion, pop a wooden skewer through to keep it all together (little flag optional).
Serving suggestions
Burger and fries… it's the American way. But if you’re lower carb, potatoes aren’t always the best option. The good news is that there are some great lower carb alternatives out there.
Celeriac, parsnip, and radishes can all be sliced like potato, and cooked in the same way as fries. Or try parmesan-coated green beans or courgette, avocado fries, or kale chips (honestly, they’re not bad!)