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Keto Butter Burgers (Culver’s Copycat, Chaffle Bun)

This is a copycat of a well-known Wisconsin burger chain classic, and the beauty of it is genuine simplicity. Keto butter burgers rely on straightforward beef flavor and a whole lot of butter, no fillers or binders needed.

a stack of three keto butter burgers with condiments in the background

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These are served on my Crispy Chaffles instead of a bun, buttered on both sides for maximum flavor.

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Chef Jenn’s Take on Butter Burgers

Do not overcomplicate this. Resist the urge to add spices or fillers to the ground beef, the genuine simplicity is what makes it work.

Squish the meat flat with a spatula once it is in the hot pan, then season it right there. Get a real, good, dark brown sear, the caramelization is where a lot of the flavor comes from. Use stainless steel or cast iron for the best sear, a nonstick skillet works too, you just will not get quite as dark a crust. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes per side, seasoning the other side when you flip. Top with a pat of butter the moment it comes off the heat, and serve on two buttered chaffles as the bun.

Cook the beef to an internal temperature of 165 degrees for well-done, with no pink inside, especially important with ground beef.

Go easy on tomato and fresh onion, both run a bit higher in carbs. Pickles, lettuce, bacon, and an easy-melting cheese like cheddar, Monterey jack, or gouda all work beautifully as toppings, along with sugar-free ketchup, mustard, or mayo.

a keto butter burger on a plate with pickle and lettuce in the background

What You’ll Love About Butter Burgers

  • Served on chaffles instead of a bun, buttered for maximum flavor.
  • Genuine simplicity, straightforward beef flavor with no fillers or binders.
  • Butter and beef together create a real, luscious juiciness.

Ingredients

Keto Butter Burgers labeled ingredients.
  • Lean ground beef – No fillers, spices, or binders added, keep it simple.
  • Butter – Grass-fed if you’re strict keto, otherwise any store brand works.
  • Crispy Chaffles – 2 per burger, buttered.
  • Salt and pepper – To taste.

How to Make Butter Burgers

Scroll down for the full recipe card with exact measurements and printable instructions.

Portion the ground beef into 4 balls and flatten them slightly with your hand.

four portions of lean ground beef in balls

Heat a stainless steel or cast iron skillet until hot but not smoking. Add about 1 tbsp of butter and the flattened beef. Squish it flat with a spatula and season with salt and pepper.

a heated skillet with a portion of ground beef in it

Cook 2 to 3 minutes per side, until well seared and dark brown, seasoning the other side when you flip.

a hot skillet with a flattened beef patty in it with the flipper on the side

Remove from the pan and top with a pat of butter. Add the burger patty to a buttered chaffle, top however you like, and enjoy.

four portions of seared keto butter burgers ready for chaffle buns

Make It A Meal

For more beefy keto dinners, Philly Cheesesteak Stacks, Philly Cheesesteak Stuffed Peppers, and Korean Beef Bowl are all worth adding.

If you love the chaffwich format, French Dip Chaffwich is another good sandwich to try.

Keto butter burger on a white plate.

Storage

Cook the burgers as directed, then wrap each tightly in plastic wrap or foil and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw and reheat in the microwave or the oven.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to make a butter burger?

The original Culver’s Butter Burgers are a patty of seasoned, lean ground beef that’s been seared on a griddle and put onto a generously buttered bun. You can mimic this recipe by searing a 1/4 pound of ground beef in a pan and topping the bun, or in this case the chaffle, with butter. A little extra butter on the burger patty doesn’t hurt, either.

How long do I cook keto beef burgers?

It all depends on the thickness of the burger and the heat of the pan. You should cook your burger to an internal temperature of 165-F to be safe. That’s well-done with no pink inside.

What are keto butter burgers?

Keto butter burgers are made with no fillers like breadcrumbs, almond flour or pork rinds. It is simple, tasty and seasoned beef that’s seared until dark brown and served with crispy chaffles.

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Keto Butter Burgers

Butter and beef are a magical combination in this simple recipe that's loaded with flavor. Easy and quick, you're going to love these keto Butter Burgers!
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Keyword chaffle bun burger, easy keto lunch, keto butter burgers, low-carb burger recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings 4 servings
Calories 258kcal
Author Chef Jenn

Ingredients

  • 1 pound lean ground beef
  • 1/4 cup butter divided
  • 8 chaffles
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper

Instructions

  • Portion the ground beef into 4 balls and flatten them slightly.
  • Heat a stainless steel or cast iron skillet until hot but not smoking. Add a drop of oil to the pan if needed.
  • Add the ground beef disk and flatten it with a flipper or spatula. Season it with salt and pepper. Flip when it is dark brown – but not burned – and season the other side.
  • Butter two warm chaffles with 1/2 tbsp of butter and add a 1/2 tbsp of butter to the top of the burger patty. Repeat for the other burgers.
  • Add your favorite toppings and serve!

Notes

Recipe Card Tips

  • Squish the beef flat in the hot pan for a real, dark brown sear, that’s where a lot of the flavor comes from.
  • Resist adding spices or fillers to the beef, the simplicity is genuinely what makes this work.
  • Top with a pat of butter right when it comes off the heat, for maximum juiciness.
Please note: The nutritional value of the chaffles is not included in this recipe because it will vary on what kind you use or if you use another kind of keto bread or bun.

Nutrition

Serving: 1burger | Calories: 258kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 101mg | Sodium: 758mg | Potassium: 399mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 356IU | Calcium: 15mg | Iron: 3mg

A Note on Nutritional Information

Nutritional information for this recipe is provided as a courtesy and is calculated based on available online ingredient information. It is only an approximate value. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site cannot be guaranteed. Erythritol carbs (sugar substitutes) are not included in the carbohydrate counts as they have been shown not to impact blood sugar, and they have zero calories and zero carbs. Net carbs are the total carbs minus fiber.

Jenn

Hi, I’m Jenn!

I’m a cookbook author (Keto Soup Cookbook and Keto Diabetic Cookbook and Meal Plan) as well as a retired chef, recipe developer, and writer of this blog (that’s a lot of hats!). I embarked on a journey to create foodie-worthy Keto-friendly meals that any home cook can be proud of! No matter if you’re low-carb, no-carb, dirty, or strict Keto, there are recipes in Keto Cooking Wins for you and your family. Read more...

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