Burgers - Labor Day Food

It's Labor Day weekend, the unofficial end of summer. In many places, kids start back to school on Tuesday, the day after Labor Day (though kids in Florida have already been back in school for a week or more).

Here are six burger recipes to help you with your Labor Day meals, including Turkey Bacon Burgers and Grilled Onion Burgers. Enjoy!

BLACK BEAN VEGGIE BURGERS

This recipe begins, “Hearty, tasty and inexpensive, these black bean burgers taste great grilled or baked in the oven.”

This is from Diabetic Connect and can be found at http://www.diabeticconnect.com/diabetic-recipes/general/4711-black-bean-veggie-burgers.

Ingredients

1 (16 ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed

1/2 green bell pepper, cut into 2 inch pieces

1/2 onion, cut into wedges

3 cloves garlic, peeled

1 egg

1 tablespoon chili powder

1 tablespoon cumin

1 teaspoon Thai chili sauce or hot sauce

1/2 cup bread crumbs

Directions

If grilling, preheat an outdoor grill for high heat, and lightly oil a sheet of aluminum foil. If baking, preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C), and lightly oil a baking sheet.

In a medium bowl, mash black beans with a fork until thick and pasty.

In a food processor, finely chop bell pepper, onion, and garlic. Then stir into mashed beans.

In a small bowl, stir together egg, chili powder, cumin, and chili sauce.

Stir the egg mixture into the mashed beans. Mix in bread crumbs until the mixture is sticky and holds together. Divide mixture into four patties.

If grilling, place patties on foil, and grill about 8 minutes on each side. If baking, place patties on baking sheet, and bake about 10 minutes on each side.

Nutritional Facts: Servings: 4; Calories: 198; Total Fat: 3 g; Cholesterol: 53 mg; Sodium 607 mg; Total Carbohydrate: 33.1 g; Dietary Fiber: 9.8 g; Protein: 11.2 g

MEDITTERANEAN TURKEY BURGERS WITH FETA

This is from Diabetes Self-Management, and can be viewed online here.

Yield: 4 servings. Serving size: 1 burger.

Ingredients

4 white turkey burgers (95% lean)

1/3 cup plain nonfat yogurt

1/4 cup diced red onion

1/4 cup diced plum tomato

1/4 cup chopped cucumber

1/4 cup chopped pitted kalamata olives

1/4 cup fat-free crumbled feta cheese

2 (6-inch) whole wheat pita bread rounds, halved and warmed

Directions

Grill burgers over medium heat 6 to 8 minutes per side or until fully cooked (165°F), turning twice.

Combine yogurt, onion, tomato, cucumber, olives, and feta in small bowl. Serve burgers and feta mixture in pita halves.

Nutrition Facts Per Serving: Calories: 292, Carbohydrates: 21 g, Protein: 30 g, Fat: 10 g, Saturated Fat: 3 g, Cholesterol: 80 mg, Sodium: 413 mg, Fiber: 3 g, Exchanges per serving: 1 1/2 Bread/Starch, 3 Meat.

BUN-LESS CHEDDAR BURGERS

This recipe begins, “Skip the bun and instead, wrap this juicy cheeseburger in lettuce for a low-carb meal.”

This is from Diabetic Connect and can be found at http://www.diabeticconnect.com/diabetic-recipes/general/3084-cheddar-turkey-burgers.

Ingredients

1 1/2 pounds lean ground beef

1/2 teaspoon onion powder

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon black pepper

6 slices of reduced-fat cheddar cheese

6 large lettuce leaves

Directions

In a large bowl, combine all the ingredients except for cheddar cheese and lettuce leaves; mix well. Form into 6 equal-sized patties.

Coat a large skillet with nonstick cooking spray and cook the patties over medium heat for 3 to 4 minutes per side, or until the juices run clear and no pink remains.

Once cooked, remove from skillet and place one slice of cheese on top of each patty.

Add your favorite condiments (onions, tomato slices, pickles, etc.).

Wrap each patty in a lettuce leaf and serve.

Nutritional Facts: Servings: 6; Calories - 182; Total Fat - 5 g; Sat Fat - 3 g; Cholesterol - 86 mg; Sodium - 298 mg; Carbohydrates - 1 g; Dietary Fiber - 0 g; Protein - 33 g

GRILLED ONION BURGER

Here's a healthier version of a classic burger topped with grilled onions and all the fixings.

Makes 4 servings

View online with photo: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/1223.shtml

Ingredients

1-1/2 pounds 95% lean ground beef

1 large sweet onion, cut crosswise into 1/2-inch thick slices

Vegetable oil

Salt and pepper

4 hamburger buns, split, toasted

Lettuce leaves

Tomato slices

Directions

Lightly shape Ground Beef into four 3/4-inch thick patties. Brush onion slices with oil.

Place patties and onion slices on grid over medium, ash-covered coals. Grill, covered, 11 to 15 minutes (over medium heat on preheated gas grill, 13 to 14 minutes) until instant-read thermometer inserted horizontally into center registers 160F, turning occasionally. Grill onions, 10 to 12 minutes or until tender, brushing with oil and turning occasionally.

Season burgers and onions with salt and pepper as desired.

Line bottom of each bun with lettuce. Place burgers on top of lettuce. Top with tomatoes and grilled onions. Close bun.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 368; Protein: 39 g; Fat: 10 g; Sodium: 324 mg; Saturated Fat: 4 g; Dietary Fiber: 2 g; Carbohydrates: 27 g

TERIYAKI TURKEY BURGERS

Yield: 6 servings

Source: The Complete Diabetes Prevention Plan

Find this recipe at: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/750.shtml

Ingredients

Burger Mixture:

1-1/4 cups sliced fresh mushrooms

1/2 cup sliced scallions

1/2 cup chopped red bell pepper

1-1/4 pounds 95% lean ground turkey

3 tablespoons light (reduced-sodium teriyaki sauce)

1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

Rest of recipe:

6 canned pineapple rings (optional)

1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons nonfat or light mayonnaise

1 tablespoon Chinese or honey mustard

6 light wheat or multigrain burger buns

6 slices red onion

6 lettuce leaves

Directions

Place the mushrooms, scallions, and red bell pepper in the bowl of a food processor and process until the vegetables are finely chopped.

Place the vegetables, ground turkey, teriyaki sauce, and black pepper in a medium bowl and mix thoroughly. Shape the mixture into six 4-inch patties.

Grill the burgers over medium coals or cook under a broiler for about 6 minutes on each side, until the internal temperature of the patties reaches 165 degrees and the meat is no longer pink inside.

(To retain moisture, avoid pressing down on the patties as they cook.) Alternatively, coat a large nonstick skillet or griddle with nonstick cooking spray and cook the burgers over medium heat for about 5 minutes per side.

If desired, brush the pineapple slices with a little teriyaki sauce and grill or broil for a minute or two on each side, until lightly browned.

To assemble the burgers, place the mayonnaise and mustard in a small bowl and stir to mix well. Spread some of the mayonnaise mixture on each bun.

Place each burger in a bun and top with some of the onion, lettuce, and if desired, a pineapple slice. Serve hot.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 243; Protein: 24 g; Fat: 5 g; Sodium: 594 mg; Cholesterol: 50 mg; Dietary Fiber: 6.6 g; Carbohydrates: 29 g; Exchanges: 1-1/2 Starch, 2-1/2 Lean Meat, 1 Vegetable

TURKEY BACON BURGERS

This recipe begins, “If you're a fan of The Biggest Loser show, then you may have watched host Bob Harper teach contestants how to make Turkey Bacon Burgers. The contestants loved their Turkey Bacon Burgers and now we're sharing the recipe for you to try...”

Makes 10 servings

Print Friendly: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/bin/print.cgi?ID=1323

View recipe with photo: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/1323.shtml

Ingredients

1 (16-ounce) package Jennie-O Extra Lean Ground Turkey Breast

1 (16-ounce) package Jennie-O Lean Ground Turkey

15 slices of chopped, uncooked Jennie-O Turkey Bacon

1/2 cup minced onion

1 tablespoon chopped garlic

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

10 lettuce leaves

10 tomato slices

20 sweet onion slices

avocado slices, if desired

pickled jalapeno slices, if desired

mustard, if desired

Directions

In large mixing bowl, combine ground turkey,onion, garlic and pepper*.

Add 15 slices of chopped, uncooked Jennie-O Turkey Bacon to the meat mixture. For ease of chopping, place bacon slices in freezer for 15 minutes. Chop finely while still firm.

Form into 10 patties. Ideally, make this mixture at least 8 hours before cooking so that the turkey can marinate with the other ingredients. Freeze any extra formed patties to thaw later.

Heat grill to medium-high heat. Grill turkey burgers approximately 14 to 16 minutes. Always cook to well-done, 165F as measured by a meat thermometer.

Layer lettuce, tomato, turkey burger and onion. Top with avocado, pickled jalapeno and mustard, if desired.

Always cook to an internal temperature of 165F. Learn how to safely handle turkey.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 140; Protein: 20 g; Fat: 4 g; Sodium: 65 mg; Cholesterol: 55 mg; Saturated Fat: 4 g; Dietary Fiber: 1 g; Sugars: 4 g; Carbohydrates: 6 g