Helpful Preparation Tips For Making Healthy Burgers

Updated on 11/19/2024

A giant, traditional, juicy burger is undoubtedly one of life's greatest pleasures. In addition, these Healthy Burgers are incredibly juicy, bursting with flavor, and can be cooked on the grill or the stovetop with relative ease. In addition to this, they have been simplified, making it possible for you to appreciate them repeatedly throughout the whole summer.

Burgers are made with lean beef topped with tomato, red onion, cheese, and burger sauce.

These got a perfect score from my in-laws! And my children have already begun to inquire as to when I will next prepare them for them. This summer, I have a feeling that these burgers are going to make a recurring appearance at our barbecues, which is something that I have no problem with at all because they are straightforward to prepare and taste outlandishly good.

What Makes This Burger Healthy?

healthy burgers

This recipe for healthy burgers has all standard burger components, including beef, the bun, cheese, and condiments. On the other hand, because we are utilizing ground beef that ranges from 90% to 96% lean, we can significantly reduce the number of calories and fat in the dish.

Do not be concerned if utilizing beef to produce a healthy burger seems strange. Low and extra lean ground beef contains nutritional values equivalent to, and in some cases even better than, ground turkey may come as a surprise to many individuals. You may think ground turkey will be lower in fat and calories than ground beef. Still, when comparing 93/7 ground turkey to 96/4 extra lean ground beef, the extra lean ground beef has a lower total amount of fat and calories than the 93/7 ground turkey.

It would help if you did not avoid beer out of fear. It is tasty, and it even has the potential to supply you with nutrients that you might not be receiving otherwise.

Burgers made with healthy ingredients served with potato fries.

Ingredients Needed For Healthy Burgers Recipe

healthy burgers

This recipe for healthy burgers does not require an extensive list of unusual ingredients, specialized cooking utensils, or appliances. It's about how you season the meat if you want to make the greatest lean beef burger patties. When making patties with extra lean ground beef, it is essential to include some flavorful ingredients. To prepare this recipe for filled burgers, you will need the following components:

Leanest Possible Ground Beef

We've chosen to work with extra-lean ground beef as a foundation for these burgers. However, feel free to use whatever type of ground beef you fancy. Another fantastic choice for a healthy burger that doesn't sacrifice flavor is ground bison with higher lean content.

Seasoning With Ranch Flavor

The use of ranch as a condiment on burgers is highly recommended, and just one teaspoon of the Hidden Valley seasoning mix is all that I use.

The Onion

The onion has been dehydrated and minced, and you should be able to locate dried minced onions in the same section of the grocery store as the spices and seasonings. You may substitute one-fourth of a cup of fresh minced onion if you like.

Worcestershire Sauce

Worcestershire sauce is a condiment that helps ensure the burgers are juicy and bursting with flavor!

Toppings

American cheese, grilled red onion, lettuce, tomato, and burger sauce are some of our favorite toppings. I have included the recipe for my burger sauce below, and if you want the best burger experience, I highly recommend using it!

Buns

You are welcome to use any hamburger buns (even gluten-free). Wrapping your burger with lettuce is another option for reducing the number of carbohydrates you consume. Buns from Pepperidge Farm Bakery's Classics collection are tasty. On occasion, we go all the way and utilize brioche buns that are light and airy. Yum!

Burgers are made with lean ground beef topped with lettuce, tomato, and onion and served on a bun.

How To Cook Burgers In The Healthiest Manner

When cooking your hamburgers, you can choose between the grill approach or the stovetop method.

To prepare the burger patties, place the ground beef, ranch seasoning, chopped onion, and Worcestershire sauce in a large mixing bowl and thoroughly incorporate the ingredients. To ensure a uniform distribution of the components, I use my hands. If you overmix the meat, you run the danger of winding up with a tough burger. So be careful not to overmix the meat. Make the mixture into a total of four patties. Create a divot in the center of each burger by pressing your thumb into the mix; this will ensure that the patties cook evenly without becoming puffed up.
Cover and place in the refrigerator for approximately one hour; doing so will assist the burgers in maintaining their form while being cooked on the grill. Don't stress out over this phase if you don't have the time to devote to it.

healthy burgers

Prepare the toppings for the burgers. While the patties are chilling in the refrigerator, you may create the burger sauce (if you plan to use it) and keep it there until the cakes are made. Prepare the toppings for your burger by slicing the tomatoes, ripping the lettuce, slicing the red onion into four pieces, and so on.
When cooking hamburgers on a grill, give each patty three minutes on each side over the direct fire or until the internal temperature of the cakes reaches 160 degrees Fahrenheit. If you want to grill red onion slices, you can start cooking the burgers simultaneously. If you're going to add cheese slices, you should do it after turning the burger to the second side and after around two minutes have passed. Place a piece of cheese on top of each burger, cover it, and continue cooking for an additional minute.

How To Grill Burgers

I have to be honest and say that I leave the grilling to my husband, but if you're curious, here's how things work.

Prepare an outside grill by heating it to medium and high.
Put the patties on the grill and cook them. Only flip your coin once, and only after around three minutes have passed.
If you want to use cheese, wait until the end of the cooking time to add the slices on top of the patties.
Butter buns and grill till golden; this should take around a quarter of a minute to complete.
Put together your burgers using the ingredients you like most on burgers!

How Long To Grill Burgers

burgers

The following grilling timings (per side) will guarantee that you get a well-cooked burger if you use one-fourth of a pound of ground beef for each burger.

Medium Rare – 2-3 Minutes

As long as the interior temperature of your burger has reached 160 degrees Fahrenheit, it is perfectly safe to eat, even if it still has a pink center.

Medium – 3-4 Minutes

My burgers should be medium rare in the middle, and cooking them for approximately three minutes on each side typically does the trick.

Well Done – 5-6 Minutes

I believe that a burger cooked for too long will become dry and tasteless, but some individuals enjoy a well-done burger.

Burger Cooking Instructions For The Stovetop

burgers

There is no need to worry if you are unable or unable to cook your burgers on the grill since they can still cook well in a skillet. Put a grill pan, cast iron skillet, or nonstick skillet over medium heat, and then add a half spoonful of olive oil to the pan. Cook your healthy burgers for three to five minutes on each side once your skillet is heated or until the centers of the patties are no longer pink.

How To Assemble The Perfect Burger

After preparing the burger sauce, you may prepare the other burger components. Prepare the toppings for the burgers by slicing the tomatoes, tearing the lettuce after it has been washed, slicing the onion, and gathering other members, such as pickles and the various sauces.

Put lettuce on the bottom bread, then place the burger patty on top of the lettuce, and you will have successfully assembled the ideal burger. Put a generous amount of burger sauce (or whatever condiment you're using) and any additional toppings you like on top of the patties, then place the top of the hamburger bun on top of Everything. Enjoy!

A cheeseburger topped with all the condiments served with chips on the side.

Ideas For The Most Delicious And Healthy Burgers

To ensure that your healthy burger always comes out perfectly cooked, here are a few pro tips:

I use ground grass-fed beef that is either 90% lean or 96% extra lean, and it is loaded with taste yet does not have excessive grease. You can use whatever ground meat that strikes your fancy, including ground chicken or turkey.
Burger patties should have a uniform shape and be shaped to be wider than they are thick. The size of the cakes will decrease as they cook.
DO NOT press or push on your burger while it is cooking on the grill. If you press down on the burger, all of the fluids will escape, and the burger will end up dry. If you want to avoid the stress of worrying about whether or not the juices flow clear, investing in a food thermometer is a smart move to make.
Be careful not to overcook the patties to prevent the burgers from turning out dry. Please ensure the cakes are removed from the heat appropriately by monitoring their temperature using a meat thermometer. After the hamburger patties have been removed from the grill, you can add cheese to them anytime. The patties' heat should still be sufficient to melt the cheese.
You may make the burger patties up to eight hours in advance, and if you're feeding a large group of people, you can feel free to double the recipe.

Side Dishes That Pair Perfectly With Burgers

Now that you've made the ideal burger for the summer, the question is: what toppings would you put on it? Here are some of our favorite burger sides:

Grandma's Best Potato Salad

Grandma's Best Potato Salad is one of the most popular side dishes at every barbecue.

The Best Deviled Eggs

The Best Deviled Eggs, because in my household, deviled eggs are a side dish that can be served with just about anything.

Irresistible Spinach Dip

Irresistible Spinach Dip - bring out the chips and veggies because this delicious and creamy dip is perfect for dipping!

The Best Recipe For Coleslaw

The Best Recipe for Coleslaw is the recipe for the ideal coleslaw to accompany those delicious burgers.

Greek Pasta Salad

Greek Pasta Salad is crisp, full of flavor, and the ideal dish for serving a large group.

The Greek Chickpea Salad

The Greek Chickpea Salad is a salad that is both light and fresh, and everybody loves it.

Fruit Pizza

Fruit Pizza - don't forget to save room for a little something sweet after you've devoured all those burgers!

I don't know what else I could say to persuade you to prepare these lean beef burgers, but perhaps the pictures did it for you. I hope you will get the opportunity to test them out this summer. Perhaps for a barbeque on the Fourth of July?!

Ingredients

1 pound of ground beef that is 96/4 extra lean
1 milliliter and a half of ranch seasoning (I use Hidden Valley brand)
One tablespoon of minced dried onion, or use 1/4 cup of finely chopped fresh onion in its place.
One teaspoonful of Worcestershire sauce
One red onion, medium in size

Optional, For Assembly

Four hamburger buns (I like Pepperidge Farm Bakery Classics Buns)
Four pieces of sliced cheese
One tomato
1 cup of a variety of greens
A single portion of burger sauce

Instructions

To prepare the burger patties:

Take a big bowl and combine the ingredients: ground beef, ranch seasoning, dried chopped onion, and Worcestershire sauce.
Mix with your hands until Everything is appropriately distributed, taking care not to overwork the meat.
Separate into four halves, weighing 4 ounces, and form each portion into patties measuring 1/4 to 1/2 inches thick.
Make a divot in the center of the burger by pressing your thumb into the center of the meat. When it's cooked, the burger won't get puffed up like that, thanks to this. If I have the time, I prefer to cover the patties and place them in the refrigerator for approximately an hour. (The cakes won't lose their form nearly as quickly on the grill if you do this.)

healthy burgers

You may create the burger sauce (if you're going to use it) and put it in the refrigerator until the burgers are ready to eat while they are in the fridge. Prepare the toppings for your burger by slicing the tomatoes, ripping the lettuce, slicing the red onion into four pieces, and so on.

To grill the burgers, place each patty on a grill or grill pan that has been preheated. Cook for three minutes on one side, then flip and cook for another three minutes, or until the internal temperature of the burgers reaches 160 degrees Fahrenheit. If you want to grill red onion slices, you can start cooking the burgers simultaneously. If you're going to add cheese slices, you should do it after turning the burger to the second side and after around two minutes have passed. Place a piece of cheese on top of each burger, cover it, and continue cooking for an additional minute.

To serve, place the patties on toasted buns and top with lettuce, tomatoes, onion rings that have been grilled, and burger sauce or another condiment of your choice. Enjoy!

Grilling Guide

Medium Rare – 2-3 Minutes

The following grilling timings (per side) will guarantee that you get a well-cooked burger if you use one-fourth of a pound of ground beef for each burger.