Summer season and grilling go hand-in-hand, but if you don’t want to pack on any extra pounds, or risk ruining your six pack with a greasy, cheesy burger, then check out these delicious burger alternative recipes.
Ultimate Spicy Tuna Burger
Tuna is a delicious meat with a dense beef-like texture and flavor. It’s super healthy with plenty of B-vitamins, and omega-3 fatty acids. It’s a great burger alternative. Simply mince the tuna with a knife and serve with lettuce, tomato, and red-pepper mayo. Serve on a fluffy bri-oche bun.
Instructions courtesy of Rich Vellante, executive chef of the Boston-based Legal Sea Foods: Mix all ingredients with your hands and form into patties about 1-inch thick. Refrigerate for 30 minutes to firm them up. On a hot grill, or a lightly oiled grill pan over medium-high heat, cook until hot throughout (a touch of pink in the middle is OK), about 3 minutes per side.
Turkey Burger
If you want to avoid a dry turkey burger, don’t cook it too long. For added flavor and texture, add grilled onions. For richness, add tomato.
You can top it with coleslaw or avocado.
Instructions courtesy of Chris Siversen, chef and owner of Burg in Newark, NJ: Mix grilled onion into ground turkey with the other ingredients. Form into patties 3/4-inch thick, indenting the centers. Refrigerate for 30 minutes to firm them up. Cook until the middles are opaque, about 4 minutes per side.
Chicken Burger
Lean chicken burgers are a delicious alternative to beef. Just make sure they are fully cooked. Serve with tomato and avocado.
Instructions: In a bowl, add chicken, Dijon, onion, oil, and bread crumbs and mix with your hands. Form into patties about 1⁄2-inch thick, slightly indenting the centers. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to firm them up. Just before cooking, generously salt and pepper both sides of each burger. On a hot grill, or a lightly oiled grill pan over medium-high heat, cook until the middles are opaque, about 3 minutes per side. In a bowl, mash avocados with salt to taste. Smear avocado puree on both bun halves and layer the patties and any vegetable toppings, 2 patties per burger.
