Hola everybody! Today we’re breaking down the humble burger- a bbq staple, a childhood favorite, and a simple weeknight dinner. I’ll share with you three recipes for delicious burgers that you can share with those you love, or just devour yourself :) 

The following are three takes on the classic burger but each with a little twist. These burger recipes have been in our weekly rotation for months as they’re quick, simple and nutritious. The ingredients are also quite flexible and I’ll mention where you can sub things out if you don’t have the listed ingredients on hand or if you have picky eaters at home :)

Enjoy!

Healthy Turkey burgers

This recipe was inspired by Olena over at ifoodreal and it’s a wonderful way to revamp the classic beef patty with something that is a bit lighter :)

Ingredients:

• 1 lb (500g) lean ground turkey

• 1 1/2 cups (225g) finely shredded zucchini (about 1 medium)

• 1 large garlic clove, grated

• 1 tsp cumin

• 1/2 tsp salt

• 1/4 tsp ground black pepper

Instructions

1. In large mixing bowl, add ground turkey, zucchini, garlic, cumin, salt and pepper. Using your hands, mix well.

2. Form 6 large turkey burger patties about a size of a medium hand. Flatten them as burgers “jump up” while cooking. Use wet hands to help with stickiness issue. I usually form patties as I am waiting for skillet to get hot and as I go.

3. Stovetop: Preheat medium ceramic non-stick skillet on low-medium heat. It’s important to cook turkey burgers low and slow so they get cooked through and do not fall apart (they won’t). Add about 1.5 tbsp of oil to the skillet and swirl around. Place 3 patties in the skillet and cook for 5 minutes per side, flipping once. Repeat with remaining oil and burgers.

4. Grill: If grilling, freeze burgers for 10 minutes prior. Helps to hold their shape. Preheat grill on medium and spray with cooking spray. Spray turkey patties on both sides with cooking spray, place on a grill and cook for 6-8 minutes flipping once. Grills vary, so check your burger for doneness by inserting a food thermometer into the center of the patty. You are looking for 165 degrees = done.

5. Serve hot and right away is the best. Burgers are the most juicy this way. Serve traditional way on a whole grain or thin multigrain bun with all the fixins. Or serve “naked” with mashed avocado and store-bought salsa. Or on a bed of greens. Sky is the limit.

Store: Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 5 days or freeze leftovers for up to 3 months.

Notes

To grate zucchini, use medium size grater holes. Not the large ones and not the ones that makes a complete mush. This way burgers are right amount juicy.

I do not recommend to use a panini press grill as it presses all the juices out of burgers. Indoor one sided grill or grill skillet is fine.

Asian inspired tuna burger

This recipe was inspired by the ever-lovely Sarah (@sarahs_day) and is uber simple yet beyond delicious. It uses canned tuna which has been a life saver during this isolation and the patties can be stored in the fridge and fried up whenever you’d like :)

Ingredients:

- 185g spring water tuna, drained

- 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped

- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, finely chopped (*I’ve also used fresh basil and it was still awesome)

- 2 tsp dijon mustard

- 1 egg

- 1/2 lime, juiced

- 1/2 cup (50g) flour (oat flour, regular white flour, almond meal all work here)

- 1 tsp paprika

- Pinch of salt and pepper

- 1 tsp olive oil 

Instructions

1. Combine all of the ingredients in a bowl and mix and mash with a fork until thoroughly combined.

2. Form 3 medium patties or 2 large patties.

3. Fry the patties in a pan on medium high heat for 3-4 minutes each side until just golden.

4. Top with lettuce, soy sauce, tomatoes, mayo or whatever else you’d like and serve!

Black bean vegan burger (from my ecookbook Travel to Table)

A black bean burger is a delicious alternative to the traditional beef burger. This meatless variation is packed with protein, low in fat and loaded with fiber. It is also quite versatile, so you can serve it with cheese, tomato and relish, á la classic American cheeseburger, or you can add avocado, cilantro and salsa for a little spice! With so many options for toppings, this dish has become a favorite in my meatless Monday rotation.

1 red chili pepper, de-seeded (leave some seeds in for a little extra spice)

1 14 oz (400 g) can black beans, drained and rinsed, then thoroughly dried

1/2 tsp paprika

1/2 tsp ground cumin

1 tsp garlic powder

1/4 cup (10 g) cilantro, chopped 

1/2 cup (50 g) quick oats, pulverized in a food processor (2 T set aside)*

2 T olive oil

Avocado slices, salsa and cheese (optional)

Finely chop the red chili pepper and set aside. In a large bowl, mash the black beans to a lumpy paste leaving in a few full beans for extra texture. 

Add the chili pepper, spices, cilantro and quick oats (oat flour) to the bowl. Using clean hands, mix until well combined and then form the mixture into 3 equally-sized patties. 

Place the bean patties in the fridge for 10-20 minutes to get firm. 

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet on high heat. Lightly dust the patties with the 2 tablespoons of the previously set aside oat flour. 

When the oil is hot, test by sprinkling in a pinch of oat flour to see if small bubbles form, add the bean patties, one at a time. Cook half-covered for 3-4 minutes on each side until each side is slightly golden brown. 

Top with fresh avocado slices, salsa or cheese and enjoy!

Recipe notes: 

These bean patties can be refrigerated for 2-3 days or frozen for up to 3 months.

*You may need a little less depending on how much you’ve dried the beans

Thank you all so much for joining in this week for another blog! Which burger do you think will make it in to your weekly rotation? Do you have a go-to burger recipe? If so, please share it below so that we can all partake :)

See you all back here next week for a fresh blog! Until then, take care and stay healthy and safe <3

Xoxo,

Alexandra 

Sources

1. Olena, et al. “Turkey Burger Recipe (Video).” IFOODreal, 13 Feb. 2020, ifoodreal.com/zucchini-turkey-burger/