I happen to really love hamburgers. I know a lot of people that choose to be healthy and eat healthy by being vegetarian or vegan. I support their decision 100%, but I personally could not do it. I love beef, chicken, and pork of course, but also meats like turkey, deer, bison, duck, etc.
I would not be able to ever fully eliminate meat products from my diet. So instead, I will make them healthy! One of my favorite ways to eat meat is in the form of a burger. I am American, ya know.
Burgers can be full of fat and high in calories. However, with the right ingredients they can be healthy for you and delicious!
These Extra Lean Italian Burgers are made with extra lean ground beef. If you don’t eat beef, you could substitute ground chicken or turkey. I used 96/4 ground beef, but 93/7 or 90/10 would suffice as well. These burgers are made similarly to how I made the Hamburger Lettuce Wraps.
I used a whole wheat English muffin for the bun. These particular ones are the Thomas 100% Whole Wheat English Muffins or I also love Food for Life 4:9 Ezekiel English Muffins. If you aren’t a fan of English muffins or if you don’t have any on hand, then substitute a whole wheat hamburger bun.
I actually used these burgers for my meals a couple weeks ago and ate them without a bun. Still delicious!
My basic “recipe” for hamburgers and meatballs are 1lb of meat, 2 Tbsp wheat germ, and one egg. I will then add different flavors like the Italian seasoning in this recipe or Worcestershire sauce.
If you are gluten-free, then substitute with gluten-free oat flour or almond flour. If you do not have wheat germ then try whole wheat bread crumbs or oat flour.
- 1 lb extra lean ground beef (96/4)
- 2 Tbsp wheat germ*
- 1 large egg
- 1 Tbsp Italian seasoning
- 1/2 tsp salt, divided
- 1/2 tsp black pepper, divided
- 4 whole wheat English muffins
- 1/2 cup marinara
- 4 oz fresh mozzarella, shredded
- In a medium mixing bowl combine the wheat germ, egg, Italian seasoning, 3/8 tsp salt, and 3/8 tsp black pepper. Add the hamburger to the bowl. Using your hands, combine all the ingredients until they are evenly distributed and well incorporated.
- Divide hamburger mixture into five equal portions. Form into patties that are 1/4 inch thick.
- Sprinkle the remaining 1/8 tsp of salt and 1/8 tsp pepper on to both sides of the patties.
- Cook the burgers on a flat top griddle** at 350 degrees until done, about four minutes per side.
- While the burgers are cooking, microwave the marinara in a small microwave-safe bowl until hot (1-2 minutes).
- Top each burger with 2 Tbsp marinara and 1 oz mozzarella. Serve burger on a whole wheat English muffin.
- *Whole wheat bread crumbs, almond flour or oat flour can be substituted for wheat germ.
- **You can also cook the burgers in a pan on the stove top or on the grill.
