Like many Americans, you will most likely be celebrating Memorial Day weekend, the unofficial start of the summer, around the grill in the backyard with family and friends.
I love complementing traditional crowd favorites, such as hot dogs and burgers (like the one below), with sides and even desserts that incorporate fresh seasonal produce like cherries, broccoli, corn, potatoes, beets, lettuce, peaches, cabbage, and zucchini- just to name a few.
This lightened up burger includes onion, tomato, and lettuce, but you can also add some avocado, grilled zucchini, or mushrooms for some added healthy flavor.
Healthier Burger with Special Sauce
Serves 2
Active time: 45 minutes
Ingredients
1 small onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 1/2 teaspoons canola oil
3 teaspoons ketchup, divided (preferably one that doesn’t contain high-fructose corn syrup)
1 tablespoon light mayonnaise
1/2 teaspoon distilled white vinegar
8 ounces lean ground beef, bison or ground turkey
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
2 whole wheat hamburger buns, toasted
2 slices tomato
2 leaves lettuce (any kind)
Directions
Preheat grill to medium-high.
Combine onion, garlic, oil and 1 1/2 teaspoons ketchup in a small saucepan. Cover and cook over medium-low heat, stirring often, until the onion is softened, 4 to 6 minutes. Transfer to a medium bowl and let cool for a few minutes.
Combine the remaining 1 1/2 teaspoons ketchup, mayonnaise, relish and vinegar in a small bowl. Set aside.
Add beef, Worcestershire sauce, and pepper to the onion and gently combine without over mixing. Form into 2 patties, about 3/4 inch thick.
Grill the burgers (make sure the grill rack is sprayed), turning once- about 4 to 5 minutes per side.
Assemble the burgers on toasted buns with the special sauce, tomato slices and lettuce.
Looking for something to go along with that burger? Try these recipes!
Lemon-Garlic Glazed Corn on the Cob
Heirloom Tomato and Beet Salad
