I have said over and over: I could easily go vegetarian, but it is the burgers that keep me hanging on. (Well, that and the fact that my dad is a cattle rancher!) I absolutely love burgers and I think that if I had to select my last meal, an All-American Cheeseburger would be it.
Now, as much as I love a big pub-style burger on a fluffy bun with all the fixins’, I also know that you can’t eat one ever day without growing the waistline. And as much as I love the classic toppings, sometimes you just have to shake things up. Enter the Herb & Onion Burger.
What I like about the Herb & Onion Burger is that it is a slightly healthier alternative to a big daddy half-pound pub burger. It is the kind of burger you don’t feel guilty eating on a weeknight. The obvious calorie savings is going from a big patty to a smaller quarter-pound beef patty. Swapping a light, flavor-packed cream cheese helps reduce the calories and bump up the flavor. It also removes the need for fat packed condiments–I’m looking at you, mayo and special sauce! I also like the swap of the bun for a whole wheat pita. This change obviously cuts the carbs and calories, but adds a layer of flavor and nuttiness to the burger.
So give the Herb & Onion burger a try and let me know what you think in the comments. I think you’ll enjoy the combination of herbed cheese and onion so much, that you’ll forget about special sauce–at least for one day!
Herb & Onion Burgers
Course: DinnerCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy4
servings35
minutesIngredients
1 egg, beaten
1/4 cup rolled oats
2 tbs water
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp ground black pepper
12 ounces lean ground beef
1 tbs butter
1 cup onion, diced large
2 tsp brown sugar
1/2 tsp dry mustard or Dijon
4 tbs light cream cheese with garlic and herbs
2 whole wheat pita rounds, halved
1-2 ounces arugula or spring salad mix
Directions
- Preheat the broiler. In a medium bowl, stir together egg, oats, water, salt, pepper. Add in beef and mix well. Shape mixture into 4 oval shaped patties, about 1/2-inch thick. Place patties on a broiler pan and broil 3-4 inches from the heat for 8-10 minutes, turning once midway through cook time.
- While meat cooks, in a medium skillet melt butter over medium-low heat. Add onion and cook for 10-12 minutes or until onion is tender. Stir in brown sugar and mustard continue cooking for 3-4 minutes or until onions are a golden brown.
- Spread 1 tablespoon of cream cheese inside each pita half. Fill pita with onions, arugula and beef patty.
- Enjoy!
Notes
