Photo: avlxyz / Flickr

Hamburgers are loved by all because they are tasty and easy to make for a quick dinner, at a barbeque and at children’s parties, but hamburgers come with the stigma that they are fast food and as such are unhealthy and full of fat. Is there such a thing as a healthy hamburger? Stay away from chain food stores, make your own hamburgers and they can indeed be a healthy and filling dinner or lunchtime meal.

Meat burgers

We all love a good meat burger every now and then but there are some healthier alternatives to your standard beef patty. Try and make your own lean patties with ground turkey mince and serve it with some caramelised red onions. To make the patty mix together some ground turkey mince, with cumin and salt and a little bit of egg to bind it. Then of course a well spiced chicken breast is a great replacement for a beef patty. Just make sure you flavour it well as chicken can be quite bland, which may lead to you pilling on the unhealthy toppings in search of flavour.

Use the freshest toppings

When making your perfect hamburger the trick is in what ingredients you use. If you’re making a standard beef burger make sure you use extra lean mince and make your own patties instead of buying pre-made ones. The same goes for any choice of meat, in fact. Try stay away from processed toppings like readymade cheese slices and creamy sauces as well. Instead use fresh toppings like lettuce, tomatoes and cucumber – all vegetables that you could grow in your own veggie garden.

The roll

One thing that makes people weary of hamburgers is the amount of bread consumed when eating one. Try using only one half of a roll, making an open hamburger. Alternatively get rid of the roll altogether and replace it with some fresh lettuce leaves or a whole-wheat English muffin.

Tags: cooking, eating healthily, food