The Perfect Memorial Day Burger For Any Diet

Kick-off your summer with the perfect Memorial Day burger suitable for any diet.  There is something here for everyone!  You will surely find one worth celebrating this holiday.

The Classic All-American Bacon Cheeseburger

An American icon, this Memorial Day burger will satisfy those of you whose favorite things are beef, bacon, and beer.

Ingredients   

2 pounds freshly ground chuck (at least 80% lean)

1 tablespoon onion powder

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

12 slices deli-spliced American cheese

6 large burger buns, toasted if desired

To  Garnish

Ketchup

Mayonnaise

Thousand Island dressing

Sliced red onion

Sliced tomatoes

Sliced pickles

Fresh lettuce leaves

Method

Mix ground beef, onion powder, salt and pepper in a large bowl until just combined.  Be careful not to over-mix.

Divide into 6 portions and form patties, without pressing too hard.  Smooth out any cracks with fingers.

Preheat grill to high heat and add burger patties

Close the lid

Cook until the crust that forms on the on the bottom of the burger releases it from the grate (about 2 minutes)

Gently test, but don’t flip it until it gets to the point

Flip and 2 slices of cheese Close then lid

Continue to cook for another 2-3 minutes for medium to medium-rare

Remove with spatula and transfer to plate

Allow burgers to rest for several minutes before putting on buns

Garnish and serve

Chickpea and Couscous Vegan Burger

This healthy Memorial Day burger will rival those of your meat-eating friends!  These vegan patties are firm and will stay intact through grilling.  

Ingredients

1 Cup walnuts

1 Cup chickpeas (canned, rinsed, drained)

1 Tablespoon soy sauce

2 Tablespoons tomato paste

1 Tablespoon vegan Mayonnaise 

1 Teaspoon hoisin suce

1 Teaspoon dijon mustard

1/2 Teaspoon each garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika

1 Teaspoon salt

1/4 Teaspoon ground black pepper

1/8 Teaspoon liquid smoke

1 Cup couscous (cooked, packed cup)

1/2 Cup Vital wheat gluten

For Basting

2 Tablespoons vegan barbecue sauce

Method

Add walnuts to a food processor until crumbly.  Transfer to mixing bowl

Add chickpeas to food processor with soy sauce and tomato paste

Process until well mixed, transfer to the bowl with walnuts

Add vegan mayonnaise, hoisin sauce, dijon mustard, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, smoked paprika, and liquid smoke to the mixing bowl

Add the couscous and the vital wheat gluten and stir until slightly mixed

Knead the mixture about 20 – 30 times to activate the wheat gluten

Divide into 4 sections and shape into patties

Preheat lightly-oiled grill to medium-high

Brush burgers with barbecue sauce and grill for about 5 minutes per side

Serve on hamburger buns and garnish if desired

Kimchi Grilled Chicken Burger

This is a spicy Memorial Day burger with a twist.  Brushed with Korean barbecue sauce, this burger is full of flavor.  The crunchy vegetable coleslaw on top keeps this meal light and fresh.  Perfect for those who want a lot of meaty flavor without the red meat.

Ingredients

(Adjust quantities to the number of guests, this recipe serves 2)

Boneless, skinless chicken breast

Burger buns

1 Avocado mashed with salt, pepper, and lemon juice

2 Tablespoons olive oil

For The Korean Barbecue Sauce 

1/4 Bottle Korean hot sauce (like Gochujang)

2  Tablespoons honey

1 Teaspoon toasted sesame oil

For The Coleslaw

1 Cups shredded red cabbage

1 Ear of Corn kernels, removed

2 Cups medium carrots, grated

1/2 Cup fat free Greek yogurt

2 Teaspoon mustard

Juice of 1 lemon

Method

Preheat heat grill to medium to medium-low heat

Combine all the ingredients for barbecue sauce in a small bowl and whisk together, set aside

Combine all ingredients for the coleslaw in a separate bowl, whisk together and set aside.

Mix together smashed avocado , salt, pepper, and lemon juice in small bowl, set aside

Thin out chicken breasts so they are even

Brush chicken breasts and grill grate with olive oil

Cook 8 minutes per side, continuing to brush the barbecue sauce on throughout cooking to avoid burning

Transfer to plate

Spread the avocado mixture on bottom of hamburger buns

Add more Korean barbecue sauce

Top with chicken and coleslaw

Serve and enjoy!

Grilled Salmon Burgers

Perfect for the pescatarian (no other meat than seafood), this Memorial Day burger is a great way to celebrate without going full vegetarian.  Rich in flavor and heart-healthy nutrients, this burger is a no-fail choice this holiday.

Ingredients

1 Pound skinless, boneless salmon

2 Teaspoons Dijon mustard

1 Egg, lightly beaten

1/2  to 3/4 Cup dry breadcrumbs

1/4 Cup thinly sliced green onions

1/2 Red bell pepper, finely diced

1 Clove garlic, minced

1 Teaspoon lemon juice

1 Tablespoon light soy sauce

1/4 Teaspoon salt, or to taste

Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

2 Tablespoons butter or olive oil

Lemon wedges

Method

Working quickly to keep as cold as possible, cut the salmon into 1″ chunks.

Take about a quarter of the salmon and add to a food processor along with the mustard. Process until the mixture becomes a paste, stopping to scrape down sides.

Add the remaining salmon and pulse off and on until the salmon is chopped into fine pieces. Don’t over process into a paste but make sure there are no large chunks. Remove to a bowl.

Stir in egg and breadcrumbs by hand (start with half a cup, add more after you’ve added the rest of the ingredients if the burgers seem very wet) green onions, peppers, garlic, lemon juice, soy sauce, salt, and pepper.

Shape into four burgers.

 Brush the patties with butter or oil and grill about 4 minutes the first side (don’t turn too soon or they won’t be firm enough to remove from the grate)

Flip and cook for another 2-4 minutes or until desired doneness

Serve on hamburger buns and garnish with your choice of toppings

Grilled Keto/Low-Carb Burger Wraps

You won’t miss the bun with this Memorial Day burger!  It’s easy to make, full of flavor, and no one has to compromise their diet this holiday.  

See Also

A Guide To Hosting Your First Dinner Party

Ingredients

1 Pound ground beef

1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

Salt

Pepper

3 Large large leafs Boston bib lettuce

1/4 Cup guacamole

Sugar free ketchup

Mustard

Method

In a medium-size mixing bowl combine your ground beef, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper together and stir until well combined

Shape the mixture into three hamburger patties

Pre-heat grill to medium-heat

Place your hamburger patties onto grill and cook to your desired level of doneness

Remove the hamburgers from the pan onto a plate and allow them to rest for three minutes

Place the hamburgers on to the center of each lettuce leaf

Top the burgers with the guacamole, ketchup and mustard

Add cheese, if desired

Wrap up the lettuce around the burger and enjoy! 

Mediterranean Turkey Burger With Tzatziki Sauce And Greek Tomato Salad

This Memorial Day burger explodes with flavor, thanks to its summer fresh ingredients and Mediterranean spices.  This burger is far from boring! It is the perfect choice for those looking for lean meat options.  

Ingredients For The Turkey Burger

1 Pound lean ground turkey

1 Cup fresh baby spinach, chopped

1/4 Cup minced red onion

1/4 Cup crumbled feta cheese

1 Tablespoon chopped fresh dill

1 Teaspoon dried oregano, rubbed between the palms of your hands

1/2 Teaspoon kosher salt

1/4 Teaspoon granulated garlic

Fresh ground black pepper to taste

For The Greek Tomato Salad

1 Cup cherry tomatoes, quartered

1/4 Cup diced red onion

2 Tablespoons chopped flat leaf parsley

2 Teaspoons red wine vinegar

1 Teaspoon olive oil

Kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste

For The Tzatziki Sauce

1 Cup plain non-fat Greek yogurt

1/2 Cup shredded cucumber

1/2 Of a lemon, juiced

1 Tablespoon chopped fresh dill

1/8-1/4 Teaspoon granulated garlic

Kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste

Other Ingredients

4 Pita bread rounds

Which burger will you be making this Memorial Day?  Let us know in the comments below.

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