It’s grilling time again! For many this weekend will be the first time in a long time they break out the grills. One of the first things people think about grilling for family and friends is the famous juicy burger. It is one of the few times a year I actually sit down to eat a burger. Ground beef is very high in fat and not always the best choice. However, lean ground beef is not always the best choice for grilling. Many complain that it gets dry. Who wants a dry burger? But there are ways to have your burger and eat it too!
Tips on Grilling a Low Fat Burger
Mix beef with lean turkey or lean beef. It won’t be the leanest burger but you can cut half the fat and retain a lot of the juiciness.
Add in some ingredients to keep it moist like BBQ sauce, A-1, tomato sauce, mushrooms, onions, and some even like to mix in cherries and blueberries. Sound strange? It may but it will give your burger a health boost, add in moisture, and not overpower it with a fruity flavor.
Do not over mix your ingredients or pack down your burger. That can aid in it becoming dry when grilled.
Add some spice like hot sauce, garlic, or cayenne pepper, to give a big boost of flavor.
Top your burger with guacamole, salsa, grilled pineapples, fat free mayo, fat free sour cream, fat free cream based dressings, ketchup, pickles, mustard, etc. Get creative and mix and match your toppings.
Top your burger with Canadian bacon or turkey bacon for added flavor.
Do not forget about the quality of the bun you use on the burger. Using regular white flour buns adds in fat, sugar, and chemicals your body can do without. I would sooner take on a bit of fat over the carbs and sugar. Consider tossing the bun or buying buns high in fiber or whole grain.