Alternative Burgers & Hot Dogs
Nothing shouts the start of summer than picnics with burgers, hot dogs, coleslaw, and corn on the cob!
Bean Quinoa Burger
This delicious Bean Quinoa Burger is a healthful alternative to a traditional burger. Loaded with protein from the beans, quinoa and roasted pumpkin seeds provide great texture and flavor. I served my bean quinoa burger on a Dave’s Killer Bread organic bun topped with lettuce, tomato, and a spicy sriracha sauce (made with vegan mayo, and it’s very yummy if you like a kick).
Roasted Carrot Hot Dog
Also, enjoy a yummy Roasted Carrot Hot Dog – – surprisingly great with all the condiments on a whole grain roll. It’s another recipe to add to your summer picnic favorites!
Keep it healthy and delicious this summer. And remember to wear your sunscreen! 🫠
To Healthy Cooking and Eating!
Melissa
Chef/Healthy Lifestyle Advocate
Bean Quinoa Burgers
This is very filling with clean, healthy ingredients. This burger has great texture and flavor! Enjoy it on a bun or over fresh greens.
Ingredients
- 1¼ cup Quinoa Cooked and cooled prior to adding to burger mixture.
- 1 15.5 oz Bean of your choice – black, trio, butter beans Rinsed well in cold water.
- ½ cup Roasted pumpkin seeds Use raw pumpkin seeds, roast in a sauce pan with olive oil spray and lightly salted. Alternative seed is sunflower.
- 2 Scallions or 1 small sweet onion Thinly sliced white and green portions of the scallion.
- ¼ cup Finely chopped parsley or cilantro Optional
- 1½ tsp Chili powder To taste; or add cumin, chipotle powder, and/or paprika to enhance the flavor.
- ½ tsp Himalayan pink salt Or kosher salt.
- 2 Tbsp Olive oil or olive oil spray More if needed.
- 1 Tbsp Beet powder Optional, but gives that red look of a burger and added nutrients.
- 1/2 cup Sweet pepper Red or green, diced into small pieces.
- 1 Vine ripe tomatoes Sliced.
- Lettuce I like Romaine as it is a flat lettuce, but you can shred the lettuce as well.
- Condiments of your choice Sriracha mayo, ketchup, mustard, pickles, etc.
- 1 Avocado Sliced.
- 4 Hamburger buns of your choice I love Dave's Killer Bread buns.
Instructions
- Cook quinoa as directed on package. I use vegetable broth instead of water for extra flavor.
- Slice onions and peppers.
- In food processor, combine the beans, onions, peppers, and seeds. Pulse several times to blend well, until it still has texture, not smooth.
- Transfer the mixture to a bowl. Add chopped onions, peppers, quinoa and spices/seasonings. Stir until all is blended well together.
- Form medium-sized patties. Press well so they stay together.
- Grill or pan-fry each patty approximately 1-2 minutes per side on medium heat using the oil or oil spray.
- Assemble your burger with the fixings of your choice. Add roasted corn, slaw, and fresh fruit as sides for a delicious summer meal.
Notes
Melissa’s Modifications: This is the best clean burger creation I have ever made! The texture and flavor is great. You may even forget you are not eating meat! The combo of beans, quinoa and seeds provide a perfect combination and healthy alternative.
Forgo the bun to save some calories and carbs and enjoy the bean quinoa burger with all the fixings in a lettuce wrap instead. Fold your patty into a leaf of romaine or iceberg lettuce.
Nutritional Value: 1 Burger – 210 Calories; 9.2g Fat; 0 Cholesterol; 26g Carbs -3.1g fiber- 1.4g Sugar; 7.5g Protein.
Add Bun- Dave’s KB Buns Done Right – 160 Calories; 1.5g Fat; 32g Carbs- 2g Fiber-6g Sugar; 6g Protein.
Nutrition
Serving: 1PattyCalories: 210kcalCarbohydrates: 26gProtein: 7.5gFat: 9.2gSaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 35.7mgFiber: 3.1gSugar: 1.4g
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Roasted Carrot “Hot Dog”
Roasted and marinated whole carrots are a deliciously flavorful healthy alternative to traditional hot dogs!
Ingredients
- 8 medium Organic carrots Clean with a vegetable brush and trim ends.
- 2 Tbsp Extra-virgin olive oil
- 1/4 cup Vegetable broth Low-sodium preferred.
- 1/4 cup Bragg apple cider vinegar
- 2 Tbsp Bragg Liquid Aminos Soy sauce (low-sodium) or tamari may be used instead.
- 1 tsp Maple syrup
- 1/2 tsp Garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp Smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp Liquid smoke
- 8 Hot dog buns
- Ketchup For serving.
- Mustard Yellow or spicy brown—your choice.
- Chopped onions For serving.
- Pickle relish For serving.
Instructions
- Add the carrots to a small roasting pan and toss with olive oil.
- In a small bowl, make the marinade. Whisk together veggie broth, apple cider vinegar, liquid aminos, maple syrup, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and liquid smoke. Pour the mixture over carrots and cover the pan with foil. Let sit for 30-45 minutes, rotating several times to be sure all the carrots marry with the marinade.
- Preheat oven to 425°F. Place the foil-covered baking dish in the oven and roast carrots for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and roast for another 20-30 minutes, until the carrots are just tender enough to stab with a fork.
- Chop onions (or other toppings of your choice).
- Place carrots in hot dog buns, then serve with condiments of your choice.
Notes
Melissa’s Modifications: When marinating, I find it is easier to put the carrots and oil in a freezer bag, then I pour the marinade right into the bag along with the carrots. It is easier to move around and make sure the marinade does its thing! Once you are ready to cook, you can use the oven method as I described above OR put the carrots right on the grill, turning often to be sure they cook well and get nice charcoal markings.
Be sure to cut the carrots bun length or make a footlong!
Nutritional Value: 1 Serving: 249 calories with hot dog bun; 7.5g Fat; 0 Cholesterol ; 507mg Sodium;40.7g Carbs -4.7 g Fiber – 11g Sugar; 5.5g Protein
Without the roll – 129 Calories; 6g Fat; 307mg Sodium; 17.7 g Carbs-3.7g Fiber-9g Sugar; 1.5g Protein.
Nutrition
Calories: 249kcal
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
