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Itching for a good, juicy burger with flavorful toppings? Don't be left out when everyone else is eating their burgers. This apple bacon burger is everything. Sweet, salty, and amazing. Paleo, Whole30, AIP and gluten-free!

When you first switch from a regular, Standard American-style diet where you eat bread products like hamburger buns, eating a burger WITHOUT a bun seems very weird.

How do you eat the burger? What's the point?

But actually, burgers can be quite amazing without them. The secret? Adding toppings that make them ridiculously flavorful.

You then eat the burger as more of a steak, knife and fork-style, but who really cares when it tastes so dang good?

The burger ingredients

These burgers are quite simple – nothing too fancy and hard to get, yet full of flavor. Only 7 ingredients, including the sea salt!

Get the exact ingredients amount, etc in the recipe card below, but the general idea is:

• Ground beef – this also could be a good place to add a little ground beef liver if desired

• Apple Cider Vinegar – gives the burgers a bit of a tang

• Onion Powder and Garlic Powder – simple yet powerful seasoning

• Sea Salt

• Bacon – remember to make it sugar-free for Whole30 and if on AIP it does NOT need to be sugar-free but needs to be free of any added preservatives (naturally occurring nitrates and nitrites are fine, as is celery powder)

• Apple – I like a crispy red type, like a Braeburn or Honeycrisp but choose what you like. I'd probably stay away from the more sour types like Granny Smith though.

What to serve with these burgers

If you're on Whole30 or AIP, then regular white potato french fries aren't an option for you.

However, this isn't a problem! There are other options that can satisfy you just as much.

Tostones: One of my favorites are tostones (aka patacones), which are twice-fried green plantains. They aren't hard to make at all and are tasty, crunchy, and salty. A perfect accompaniment to a burger. See the recipe for Tostones here (Paleo, Whole30, and AIP-friendly)

Broccoli Power Salad: If you're looking for a lighter option but one that will still be filling and delicious, this nutrient-dense salad is great. It's served cold, so it's perfect to take with you to a picnic or cookout, and it won't add to the heat of an already ridiculously hot day. It's also Paleo, Whole30, and AIP-friendly. See the recipe for the Broccoli Power Salad

Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Citrus Dressing: This one is a favorite recipe of ours – simple roasted sweet potatoes get a flavor lift from a tangy, yet easy-to-make citrus dressing. It's a great recipe to use if you're craving the starchiness of potatoes with your burger. See the recipe for Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Citrus Dressing

Make it ahead of time

You can make these ahead of time but I will warn you that they won't be as juicy as if they were served immediately.

Make the burgers and topping up to 4 days ahead of time. Store in the fridge.

More delicious Paleo and AIP Burger recipes

If you like burgers, try these as well!

Banh Mi Burgers (Paleo, AIP – can be made Whole30 as well)

Fried Chicken Burgers (Paleo, Whole30, AIP)

More Helpful AIP & Paleo Resources in the Freebie Library

If you find this recipe helpful, you may really enjoy the resources in my Paleo & AIP Freebie Library! There's a “dump” freezer meal plan, a list of AIP-compliant breakfast toppings, and so much more. Plus, you'll get even more ideas sent to your inbox! Get the password here.

Apple Bacon Burger Recipe

I hope you enjoy these tasty burgers! If you make them I'd love to hear how it turned out! Either comment below or share a pic on Instagram and tag me @thrivingautoimmune!