Tomato Bun Burger

Why we love this recipe

I’m going to start by saying this approach to making burgers requires ALL the napkins, but I promise that the deliciousness of trading out your hamburger roll for a juicy tomato is going to be worth every dribble.

Tomatoes.  Burgers.  Who doesn’t love a slice or two of juicy sweet tomato on their burger…but what if those slices were the BUN?  Could it work?

IT COULD.

You’re going to cook up your burger in whatever way you love your burgers (diner burgers, I’m looking at you!) but you can take hamburger rolls off your shopping list and add on some extra tomatoes.

Not only are they the perfect size for your burgers, but they are going to add all kinds of lovely tomato flavor to your supper.

And bonus points for anyone who is trying to stay low-carb or gluten-free (or just trying to save up your calories for dessert), because this fun recipe checks all those boxes.

Ready to swap the rolls for tomatoes? Grab a few extra napkins and let’s make it!

Ingredients you need

Ingredient notes and substitutions

• Ground beef: We always recommend 80/20 fat content ground beef for any kind of burger, but you can definitely go leaner if you want. Or use ground turkey!
• Tomatoes: If I can find heirloom tomatoes those are my first choice, but beefsteak tomatoes work just fine as well.

See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities and nutritional information.

How to make this recipe

The burger part is going to go the way it usually goes. The game-changer here is, of course, that we are going to swap out the usual bun for a nice juicy TOMATO.

If I can find heirloom tomatoes that is my first choice because of their amazing rich tomato taste, but a beefsteak tomato will also work just fine.

STEP 1: Slice off the top inch or so of the tomato, and the bottom inch or so, and cut the stem out of the top slice.  Save the middle for something else – you can chop them up and use them in salad, or even better in a tomato mayo sandwich!

STEP 2: Put the slices cut-side down on some paper towels and let them drain while you cook the burgers up however you like to cook up your burgers.

STEP 3: For me, that always means a nice smooshed down diner-style burger, full of nooks and crannies for holding the fixings. But you do your own thing when it comes to cooking your burger.

Once the burgers are ready, spread the tomato tops and bottoms with whatever fixings you like – I love mayo and some curly lettuce and pickles, but you be you – and then pop your burger in between your luscious tomato slices.

Now a word to the wise: as you might expect, these are JUICY.  As in, I highly recommend having a hefty supply of napkins around.  But the gorgeous tomato flavor is worth each and every dribble down your chin.

Tomato burgers! I think my work is done here. :)

Other burger recipes we love!

Could you tell us what you think?

If you try this recipe, we would love to hear how it came out for you! I’d be super grateful if you could leave a star rating (you pick how many stars! 🌟 ) and your thoughts in the Comments section.

Tomato Bun Burger

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Swap out the hamburger roll for a juicy tomato with this fun and easy recipe for a delicious tomato bun burger!

• Author: Kate Morgan Jackson
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Gluten Free

Ingredients

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• 4 heirloom or beefsteak tomatoes
• 1 to 1.5 pounds ground beef (depending on how big you like your burgers)
• Salt and pepper
• Your favorite burger toppings (mayo, lettuce, pickle, etc!)

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Instructions

1. Cut a 1 inch slice off the top and bottom of each tomato and place on a paper towel to drain a little. Save the middle to use in something else (chop them up for salads, etc.)
2. Toss the beef with a little salt and pepper and form into patties. Heat a griddle or pan to high and cook for 3-4 minutes per side for medium rare (longer if you like your burgers well done.
3. Spread the tomato slice tops and bottoms with mayo and/or other toppings. Place a burger on each tomato bun bottom, and cover with tomato tops.
4. Take a big bite, and have napkins ready – these are juicy!

Notes

• • Ground beef: We always recommend 80/20 fat content ground beef for any kind of burger, but you can definitely go leaner if you want. Or use ground turkey!

• • Tomatoes: If I can find heirloom tomatoes those are my first choice, but beefsteak tomatoes work just fine as well.