4 Delicious Burger Swaps

What comes to mind when you think of a burger?

How about athick and juicy beef patty with a slice of cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, a squeeze of ketchup and mustard, all on a fluffy bun.  Sound good? Yes, it does- however, the beauty of a burger is that you can go beyond its classic recipe and enjoy it in many different ways!

Celebrate this year’s National Hamburger Dayby trying out different versions of burgers! Trying skipping the beef and explore other flavorful alternatives that are just as good!

Burger Swaps

• Swap the patty– What makes a hamburger is its patty, but beef is just one option out of many. You can make a burger patty out of almost anything you’d like.  Try using ground turkey or chicken to make patties. Another great alternative is fish! You can use tilapia, tuna or salmon, which is high in omegas 3’s.  If you’re looking for meatless options – tryyour own veggie patties with green peas, chickpeas, lentils, corn, beets, broccoli, carrots, mushrooms, onions, sweet potatoes and so much more.

• Switch the cheese– American cheese is often processed with additives and is higher in sodium. Trade in the American cheese for a slice of mozzarella or Swiss, a sprinkle of feta cheese, or even grate some Parmigiano-Reggiano on top.

• Change the buns– Optfor whole wheat or multigrain buns or try out whole-wheat English muffins, flatbreads or pita! You can even use veggies as buns – thinkeggplant slices, Portobello mushrooms, or lettuce wraps.

• Upgrade the veggies– Instead of the usual iceberg lettuce, try out different greens such as kale, spinach, arugula or sprouts. Instead of only includingtomato slices – trypeppers, onions, cucumbers, zucchini and avocado slices!

Having some trouble thinking of what kind of swap you want to do for your burger?

Check out my recipe for a mushroom buckwheat burgerto get your creativity flowing!

Don’t forget to keep in mind your condiments and sides! Some condiments canbe high in sugar or fat. You can opt fora spread of hummus, salsa, guacamole or a dab of hot sauce for an added kick!

When it comes to sides – don’t be afraid to get creative and make your own! You can throw on a delicious salad, make your own sweet potatoes fries, or cut up veggies like carrots, zucchini, beets, parsnips and asparagus, toss with a little olive oil and bake till crisp – yum.

Most importantly, remember to enjoy! – Mix and match your favorite ingredients to make your own version of a hamburger.  The possibilities are endless!

Your turn to take action:  How will you spice up your burger?  Let me know in the comments below.

Like this post? Share it!