Why miss cheeseburgers all summer long? Everyone’s favorite way to prepare this American classic, but many people don’t notice the calories and fat in their convenient recipe. The truth is, if you’re not careful, a cheeseburger can be a heart attack. Fortunately, there are a few simple tips you can follow to keep this summer classic healthy.
To make a healthy cheeseburger, you have to start with the meat. I’m not a big fan of replacing ground beef with chicken or turkey. But I prefer to combine ground beef with lean meat. While many will tell you that good cheese should be made with 80/20 ground beef, I actually prefer 93% lean ground beef. It actually tastes beefier to me than the fattier versions. If you can’t stand the thought of using such a lean beef instead, at least choose a ground round that is 15% lean. This is a simple way to cut the fat and make your cheeseburger healthy.
While it is important to choose healthy ground beef, it is also important to think about portion control. Many people love little people cheeseburgers, but you need to make about 3 to 4 ounces each of your patties. I stick to the four ounce size because I usually buy 16 ounce ground beef. If you want to make healthy cheesecakes for a side, portion one pound of ground beef into 16 patties.
Obviously a cheeseburger needs cheese. While many people use a thick layer, it is important to use only 1 ounce of cheese. In order to make your cheese healthy, while still maintaining a high level of flavor, I recommend using strong cheese. For example, one ounce of blue cheese or sharp cheddar is more than enough for a 4 ounce burger. These types of cheese have such a strong flavor that more than one ounce would be overkill.
If you’re going to make a healthy cheese, you need to think about the toppings. If you are going to use mayonnaise, choose the light version. But remember that ketchup and mustard are almost calorie free, as is barbeque sauce. You may also want to consider guacamole, which is high in heart-healthy fats. Also, look for healthy hamburger-buns made with 100% whole wheat. Last but not least, be sure to plant as many herbs as you want. Add grilled onions, romaine lettuce, tomatoes, and jalapeno peppers.
As you can see, it’s easy to make a healthy cheeseburger. All you need is lean ground beef, one ounce of strong cheese, healthy toppings, and portion control. Who said you need to give your summer treats? Just rediscover them.
