Summertime Favorites: Stuffed Burgers

By , SparkPeople Blogger
Who doesn't like a game of hide-and-seek? The usual burger-and-fries dinner is hiding loads of fat. Seek out ours instead, which has secrets of its own. Extra lean beef can be dry, so we stuff it with onion and herbs for a juicy, tasty burger.

Compare a typical home-cooked burger meal to our lightened-up version.


You'll save 442 calories, so we think that leaves room for a serving of Hot & Sweet Rainbow Slaw, plus a Strawberry Crunch Sundae (with all those fresh berries that are in season right now) for dessert!
 
Lean beef can dry out easily, and it lacks the flavor of fatter cuts. So how do you create a burger you'll crave? You fill it with the good stuff. Chef Meg's son Ian specializes in "Juicy Lucys." He puts onions, mushrooms, peppers, and cheese inside a serving of extra lean turkey or beef and grills it. The result? A burger that will satisfy even teenage boys. This version is slightly more sophisticated but just as simple. Balsamic vinegar and fresh thyme add great flavor, and you'll find that you need little more than juicy tomatoes, crisp lettuce, and perhaps a smear of good quality mustard (or a squirt of ketchup). 


Spark Swaps Tips:
Use 1/4 cup sautéed mushrooms with chopped fresh rosemary or fresh basil and chopped red bell pepper to change up your burgers. You could also use half an ounce (two tablespoons shredded) cheese inside each burger.


Not a beef fan? Swap in lean turkey or chicken. The onion will help keep the low-fat meat moist and juicy.
 
Click here for the recipe.

This recipe is from The Spark Solution: A Complete Two-Week Diet Program to Fast-Track Weight Loss and Total Body Health, the new book from the experts at SparkPeople.