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.
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
Method For Greek Tomato Salad
Combine all of the salad ingredients in a bowl and stir together until combined. Taste for seasoning, cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
Method For Tzatziki Sauce
Place the shredded cucumber onto a clean dish towel or paper towels, gather it up and use your hands squeeze out as much of the liquid as you can.
Add all of the ingredients to a bowl and stir together until combined.
Taste for seasoning then cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
Method For Greek Turkey Burgers
In a large bowl combine the spinach, red onion, feta, dill, oregano, garlic, salt and pepper.
Add in the ground turkey and use your hands to mix everything together, don’t overwork the meat.
Form the meat mixture into 4 patties.
Heat your grill, grill pan, or skillet over medium heat. Spray or coat the grill grates/pan with oil.
Grill the burgers for approximately 4-6 minutes then flip over and grill another 4-6 minutes or until done.
Serve the turkey burgers in pitas topped with the tzatziki sauce, Greek tomato salad and more crumbled feta.
Which burger will you be making this Memorial Day? Let us know in the comments below.
Featured Image: Pinterest
