Low FODMAP Herby Beef Burgers with Pesto
Ingredients
MAKE GLUTEN FREEServings:
BEEF BURGERS
PESTO
COLESLAW
FOR SERVING
Low FODMAP Herby Beef Burgers with Pesto
This might just be my favourite burger recipe yet! These low FODMAP herby beef burgers with basil pesto make such a fresh and fun meal. AND they look so good… Are you drooling yet?
The key to this burger recipe is our homemade low FODMAP pesto that you can make in under five minutes. You just need a food processor or blender (like a Nutribullet - this is our all time favourite blender by the way) to create it.
You then layer together juicy beef patties, cheese, coleslaw, mayo and homemade pesto with a toasted burger bun to create the most glorious meal ever.
Note on Worcestershire sauce: This sauce is low FODMAP even though it can contain small amounts of onion and garlic.
-
Gluten Free
-
Low FODMAP
-
Dairy Free
-
Nut Free
-
Soy Free
Ingredients
MAKE GLUTEN FREEServings:
BEEF BURGERS
PESTO
COLESLAW
FOR SERVING
Nutrition per serve
- NON-DAIRY FREE |
- DAIRY FREE |
- GLUTEN FREE
- Method |
- FODMAP tips |
- Gluten Free tips |
- Dairy Free tips
Method
- Make the pesto.
- The pesto will blend best if you make at least 4 servings - you can freeze anything you don't use. Roughly chop the basil. Place the basil, pumpkin seeds, garlic infused oil, olive oil, and lemon juice into a blender or food processor. Season with salt and pepper. Blend until smooth. If the mixture is too dry, add another drizzle of olive oil and blend again. Thicken with guar gum if using. Place the pesto to one side for later.
- Make the coleslaw.
- Wash and shred the lettuce. Finely chop the red cabbage. Place these ingredients into a serving bowl.
- Next, finely slice the mint and the green leaves of the spring onion/green onion. Sprinkle these over the coleslaw.
- Season the coleslaw with salt and pepper, squeeze over a little lemon juice and add a drizzle of olive oil. Gently mix, then place it to one side for later.
- Make the beef patties.
- Finely chop the spring onion/green onion leaves and roughly chop the parsley. Place the beef, breadcrumbs, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, tomato paste, spring onion/green onion, parsley, egg and dried thyme into a large bowl. Season with salt and pepper. Mix well, then shape into large beef patties (you should be one per serving).
- Heat a large frypan over medium-high heat. Fry the beef patties for about 4 minutes on each side until they are golden brown and cooked through.
- While the patties cook, slice the burger buns in half, spread over the butter and toast in the oven under the grill until lightly golden. Then transfer to a plate.
- Once the patties are cooked, pop them on the oven tray, cover each patty in sliced cheese and place under the oven grill until the cheese is melted.
- To Serve
- Assemble the low FODMAP herby beef burgers with pesto. Spread a dollop of mayonnaise onto the burger buns, add a handful of coleslaw, and then top with the cheesy beef patties. Spoon over the pesto and top with the bun lids. Serve the leftover coleslaw on the side with extra mayonnaise. Enjoy!
Buying Tips
Buy gluten free burger buns, bread, and wraps that do not contain any high FODMAP ingredients like inulin/chicory root fibre, apple or pear juice, apple fibre, concentrated fruit juices, honey, or high fructose corn syrup.
Also check what low FODMAP flours have been used, avoid gluten free products that contain amaranth flour, lupin flour, chickpea/besan/gram/garbanzo bean flour, lentil flour or large amounts of soy flour or coconut flour.
Buy normal burger buns for family members who are not on the low FODMAP diet.
Garlic infused oil is normally found in the oil section of your local supermarket or you can buy it online. It should be clear with no floating bits of garlic.
You can also make garlic infused oil at home by frying garlic cloves in cooking oil until they are golden and fragrant, then remove and discard the garlic before you continue cooking your meal. This is a low FODMAP way to capture the garlic flavour as the fructans can't leach into the oil.
Guar gum or xanthan gum help gluten free baking to stick together and rise. They are often found in the gluten free section of the supermarket or in a health food store.
Monash University has tested Worcestershire sauce and it is low FODMAP, despite containing small amounts of onion and garlic. The sauce is low FODMAP because the onion and garlic are fermented during the manufacturing process which reduces the FODMAP levels. If you are vegan then choose a Worcestershire sauce that does not contain animal products.
Buy a bunch of spring onions/scallions with long green leaves. You can use the green leaves in your low FODMAP meals, just make sure you avoid using the white stem and lime green stems as these are high FODMAP. Once you've harvested the leaves pop the spring onion/scallion bulbs into a glass of water on the window sill. The leaves will reshoot so you can harvest them again.
Make your lemon juice and lemon zest from fresh lemon.
Check the vegan cheese does not include onion, garlic, inulin or coconut flour in the ingredients. Cheddar, Colby, mozzarella, and parmesan cheeses made from dairy are all low FODMAP.
Choose a mayonnaise that does not include onion or garlic powder. We like using Best Foods Mayonnaise (Lite or regular). If you are a meal plan member you can also grab the recipe for our egg free mayonnaise here.
Gluten Free Tips
Buy a gluten free Worcestershire sauce or substitute 1 tablespoon gluten free soy sauce, 1/4 teaspoon Chinese five spice, and 1/2 tsp brown sugar for every tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce. Often the ingredient labels don't state they are gluten free, so if the ingredients look safe then ring the manufacturer to confirm.
If you are highly sensitive to gluten, check all packaged products, processed meat (like bacon), nuts, seeds and dried fruit do not contain a warning for trace gluten. If you are just on the low FODMAP diet you do not need to worry about this.
Dairy Free Tips
Use a dairy free spread or olive oil spread instead of butter. Butter is considered low FODMAP.

Author: Alana Scott
In 2013, Alana was diagnosed with Irritable Bowel Syndrome. She also suffers from coeliac disease, is allergic to nuts and is intolerant to dairy products. This means she understands how difficult it can be to cook with multiple food intolerances. Her exp... Read More

Professional Reviewer: Joanna Baker (APD)
Joanna is a foodie, an accredited practising dietitian and a registered nurse, who is passionate about digestive health. She now works exclusively in IBS and food intolerance in her Melbourne based private practice Everyday Nutrition. Joanna works alon... Read More