It's the C day of the A-Z Blog Challenge and I'm talking Cheeseburger. Before you start making these juicy cheeseburgers put on your favorite Jimmy Buffet Music. I love a good juicy cheeseburger and you might as well decide it is summer even if it is only April and there are still traces of snow on the ground outside. So we are in the mood and the last thing on your mind is how to make your juicy cheeseburger healthier. I've done the thinking for you.
Lean ground turkey and mushrooms will reduce the calories and fat. You won't feel guilty about the cheese with the lower calories and fat in the meat. The bun, what to do for a bun? How about lettuce leaves? Yap, that's the way. But what about the french fries that go so well with a cheeseburger. I'll try roasted carrots today! That's the plan!!!
Ground turkey has less calories and lower in fat than a regular ground beef hamburger but it is a little drier. Making ground turkey juicier and more flavorful can be accomplished by adding mushrooms to the mix. Mushrooms are low in calories and no fat and have a great flavor. I know that every chef says that you are not suppose to wash mushrooms but wipe them clean because mushrooms absorb water. I purchased these already sliced so of course I'm going to rinse them to get off any pesticides. If you are like me you are always looking for ways to reduce the pesticides. We are exposed to pesticides in our foods on a daily basis. It didn't hurt these in the least and if there is any added water it's just going to make the cheeseburger moister. Add a barbecue rub and your favorite barbecue sauce and your taste buds will send a signal to your brain saying "It's summer and I'm having a great time eating my favorite cheeseburger and I'm in Paradise".
Healthy Cheeseburger
Ingredients:
l package Lean Ground Turkey (20 oz.)
1 1/2 cups mushrooms chopped
1/3 cup chopped onions
1 teaspoon barbecue rub optional)
2 tablespoons favorite barbecue sauce
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pepper (I like Lawry's Seasoned Pepper)
1-2 tablespoons extra virgin oilive oil or regular olive oil
8 slices favorite cheese or shredded cheddar cheese
16 butter lettuce leaves, or 2 for every burger
Instructions:
Mix ground turkey, chopped mushrooms, chopped onion, salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, barbecue sauce and barbecue rub together. Mix well. Divide mixture into 2 balls, divide these balls into 2 balls, and again divide these balls into 2 balls. You will then have 8- 4 ounce burgers. If you want a 1/2 lb burger then only divide the mixture 2 times and then you will have 4 burgers that are about 8 ounces.
Place olive oil in pan and heat, add burgers and fry burgers until done. Grilling instructions: grilling burgers- brush the olive oil on the outside of the burgers before grilling and grill to preferred doneness.
Place each cheeseburger inside 2 butter lettuce leaves and top with your favorite toppings. I used tomato slices, avocado slices, and red onion slices. Delish!
