Beef and Cucumber Lettuce Cups with Basil-Infused Olive Oil

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Juicy beef patties served atop crisp lettuce with refreshing pickled cucumbers and a vibrant herb oil dressing. This american-inspired whole30 (low-carb) ready in about 25 minutes pairs ground beef, baby lettuce leaves, cucumber for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a Whole30 week and pairs well with roasted sweet potato or a simple olive-oil salad. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

★ 4.4 (10 ratings) Prep: 15 min Cook: 10 min Serves 4 American cuisine 320 cal/serving
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Cookware & pots → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Form 4 patties from 12 oz ground beef, pressing gently to 3/4-inch thickness. Season both sides with 1/2 tsp sea salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper.
  2. Step 2: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add patties and cook for 3 minutes per side for medium doneness, or until internal temperature reaches 160°F.
  3. Step 3: While patties cook, dice 1 medium cucumber into 1/4-inch slices. Combine with 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar in a bowl, then refrigerate for 10 minutes to pickle.
  4. Step 4: Blend 1 tbsp fresh basil with 2 tbsp olive oil in a small bowl to create herb oil.
  5. Step 5: Assemble by placing 2 baby lettuce leaves under each patty, topping with 1/4 cup pickled cucumber slices and drizzling 1 tsp basil oil over each serving.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Beef and Cucumber Lettuce Cups with Basil-Infused Olive Oil take to make?

Total time is about 25 minutes (15 min prep + 10 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Beef and Cucumber Lettuce Cups with Basil-Infused Olive Oil?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep ground beef from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Beef and Cucumber Lettuce Cups with Basil-Infused Olive Oil?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Beef and Cucumber Lettuce Cups with Basil-Infused Olive Oil for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

Is Beef and Cucumber Lettuce Cups with Basil-Infused Olive Oil low-carb?

Yes — this recipe is tagged low-carb based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

What others are saying

Related recipes