Burgers...

AFWinter

So I've been really jonesing for a burger, but so far I've been able to fight off the craving. I was wondering if anyone out there had a pretty good recipe for a low fat or low cal burger or an alternative that I could use to satisfy this food desire.

wolfchild59

4oz of 99% lean ground turkey is only 120 cal. I just mix it with some chili powder, cayenne, garlic powder and onion powder.

Or Trader Joe's makes salmon patties that are 80 calories each.

Either one on an Orowheat/Arnolds naturals thins with a thin slice of cheese, lettuce and tomato and you're good to go.

strapple

i stopped eating red meat a while ago and it was really tough.

you can get turkey/chicken patties and if you cook them right (put in some hamburger seasoning) it will satisfy your craving.

another alternative is boca burger patties. i personally prefer their flavor to turkey burgers. use avocado or other hearty vegetable toppings to give you that savory taste youre craving.

but if you really need that beef then i'd suggest getting some very lean beef and using a thin patty and loading up on your veggies on top or seeking out a low calorie thin bun. ;}

leslielove

I just made a burger for lunch! Took 1/4 pound 93% lean ground beef, chopped about 1tbsp white onion, added a little bread crumb, splash of milk, and topped it with sauteed mushrooms, tomato, and feta cheese. I don't have bread/buns so I used romaine. No idea how many calories, but it couldn't have been more than 300. And it was friggen delicious.

reese66

93/7% hamburger add favorite seasonings works great for me!!! I usually skip the bun but Sara Lee has an 85 calorie whole wheat bun.

MelissaL582

I buy the Jennie-o Savory Seasoned Burgers at Walmart. They're 12 patties for about $6. They're actually pretty good.

http://www.jennieo.com/products/TurkeyBurgers/SavorySeasonedTurkeyBurgers.aspx

justinvine

I know it's not the same, but I use boca burgers. I just like the idea of frying up a burger. I am always fiending for a burger. I put it on light bread and it's only 80 calories for the bruschetta boca burger and 70 calories for 2 pieces of light bread. I put some horse radish and mustard on it, and I have a sandwich for 160 calories total.

poustotah

Biggest Loser BLT burgers are great! 97% ground beef - I grill mine. Add 2 slices of turkey bacon (I get the low sodium kind) and add some low fat mayo, tomato and lettuce all on a whole wheat bun. YUMMY!

skypie23

quorn burgers work for me, only 73 cals.

jacquejl

Have you tried buffalo meat? It's takes exactly like beef, but it's extremely lean. They make great burgers!

AFWinter

Those are all really good ideas, thanks! I'll have to try some of them. For the super lean beef, how do you grill 'em (or prepare them another way) and keep them moist?

wolfchild59

Whenever I use extra lean meats I just monitor them closely on the grill with a meat thermometer. Take 'em off the grill about five degrees lower than the desired temp and let 'em sit for a few minutes (use this time for the burger construction) and by the time you're ready to munch into it it will have risen to the exact perfect temp without overcooking and getting dry.

jnikitow

We buy the Low Fat Bubba Burgers for when we can grill. They are only about 220 calories. They are in the freezer section of the grocery store.

halphord

Chicken and turkey burgers are great. Also you can try a portobella mushroom in place of the burger (I know it's not the same...but they're good). Use lettuce as a bun. But, in all honesty...when I really want a burger, I make one with the 93% lean hamburger meat and it's great...bulk it up with your veggies. Add onion, bell peppers, breadcrumbs and egg to the meat mixture mixture (almost like a meatloaf)...it's yummers.

chris0912

I've heard this tip to keeping homemade burgers moist, but never tried it. When forming the patty, enclose some ice inside the patty. Probably not a whole cube or you'd get those big round balls that Eddie Murphy used to joke about, but maybe try breaking cubes in half.

JulyHummingbird

Have a Boca burger. The mushroom burger is delicious! On one of those new 'thin' sandwich thins, or in a whole wheat tortilla. Mmmm. Now I want one

wolfchild59

Just a word of caution on the pre-made veggie burgers. There are many that are low cal and tasty, but very careful about the sodium counts on those. Some of them are crazy high for just a little patty.

melaniecheeks

I like good quality "gourmet" burgers. There's a couple of restaurants here that do high quality beef (or chicken, and sometimes other meats such as venison) burgers - I go there, get a topping that's not cheese or mayo based, and probably leave half the bun.

Or I go to my local butcher, who makes good quality steak burgers. The burger itself is a great source of protein, OK it's got a high-ish fat content, but if you can do it without the bun and the fries and the tobacco onions, it's pretty easy to incorporate into your meals now and then.