High Protein Cheeseburger (on Cauliflower Buns!) for National Cheeseburger Day

It’s National Cheeseburger Day, and I think we all deserve a juicy, home-cooked cheeseburger, but most cheeseburgers are low protein and low on micronutrients. If you’re craving a burger and want to put a little extra love into it, this recipe is the one for you!

Per serving: 511 Calories • 14.4g Carbs (3.4g Fiber) • 31.9g Fat • 42g Protein

Ingredients

Ingredients Scaled To: 4 Burgers

Buns

  • 5 cups cauliflower florets (about 1 pound)

  • 1 cup shredded sharp Cheddar cheese

  • 1 large egg, lightly beaten

  • 1 teaspoon sesame seeds

Burger & Toppings

  • ½ cup chopped onion

  • 1 tablespoon canola oil plus 1 teaspoon, divided

  • 2 tablespoons ketchup, divided

  • 2 tablespoons mayonnaise

  • 2 teaspoons dill pickle relish

  • 1 teaspoon white vinegar

  • 1 pound lean ground beef

  • 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

  • ½ teaspoon ground pepper

  • 4 slices tomato

  • 4 leaves green-leaf lettuce

  • Low-fat American cheese, sliced

Instructions

Buns

  1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.

  2. Place cauliflower in a food processor; process until very finely grated. Transfer to a microwave-safe bowl. Cover loosely and microwave on High for 3 minutes. Let cool slightly. Transfer the cauliflower to a clean kitchen towel and wring out all excess moisture. Return to the bowl. Add cheese and egg; stir until thoroughly combined. Use a 1/4-cup measure to distribute the batter into 8 portions on the prepared pan. Pat each into a 3-inch circle.

  3. Bake until browned and crispy around the edges, 20 to 25 minutes. Transfer to a cooling rack and sprinkle with sesame seeds.

Burger

  1. Combine onion, 1 tablespoon oil and 1 tablespoon ketchup in a small saucepan. Cover and cook over medium heat, stirring often, until the onion is softened, 5 to 7 minutes. Transfer to a medium bowl.

  2. Combine the remaining 1 tablespoon ketchup, mayonnaise, relish and vinegar in a small bowl. Set aside.

  3. Add beef, Worcestershire and pepper to the onion mixture and gently combine without overmixing. Form into four 4-inch patties.

  4. Heat the remaining 1 teaspoon oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the burgers, reduce heat to medium and cook, turning once, until just cooked through, 5 to 7 minutes per side. Assemble the burgers on buns with the ketchup mixture, tomato and lettuce.

  5. Top with a slice of your favorite low-fat cheese and enjoy!

FoodHope Becker