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RECIPES: Alternatives to the classic beef burger

Looking to make a change from the usual beef burger? Try this fish burger or plant-based patty

plant-based burger

For many of us, this May we have seen both winter and summer. The weather has gone from 0 degrees and snowing, to 28 degrees and steaming. We aren’t complaining – it means we can clean out our BBQs and enjoy the weather.

While many of the COVID-19 restrictions across North America and Europe are being revised, we would not advise having a BBQ party. However, you can still enjoy the outdoors after a training session with these recipes for the grill. 

Related: It’s time for more plants and less meat

Here are two recipes that offer an alternative to the classic beef burger. By making the conscious effort of reducing your consumption of red meat, you can significantly reduce inflammation levels and improve other general health parameters. Many studies have cited the benefit of consuming non-red meat proteins, such as fish and plant-based alternatives. These alternatives are associated with healthier body weights, lower inflammation, lower risk of type 2 diabetes, better blood pressure and blood vessel function. 

You may use these recipes as a guideline and substitute ingredients as you see fit. While it is nice to follow a recipe and see what you’ve accomplished, it is also fun to adapt recipes to your liking.

Related: Fish tacos you have to try

The Fishy

  • Ingredients (~ four patties)
    • Salmon (~1.5 lbs), boneless
    • 2 tsp Dijon mustard
    • 2 shallots, coarsely diced
    • â…“ cup of breadcrumbs
    • 1 tbsp capers drained
    • 4 buns
  • Directions
  1. Prepare the salmon by cutting into large chunks. Depending on size and size of food processor, place half into a food processor.
  2. Add the mustard, and blend until it forms a paste.
  3. Add the remaining salmon and shallots and blend – chunks are good.
  4. Move the mixture into a bowl and stir in the breadcrumbs, capers
  5. Add salt and pepper as you see fit.
  6. Shape the mixture in servings (~four patties).

If cooking on the stove: add butter or oil into a pan and heat at medium-high. If cooking on the BBQ: place the patties on the grill for approximately four minutes and flip – total time around six minutes.

Related: RECIPE: Summer Quinoa Burgers

The Bean Burger

  • Ingredients (~ four patties)
    • 1 can of black beans (rinse and drain) ~ 541 mL
    • ½ green bell pepper
    • ½ onion
    • 3 cloves of garlic
    • 1 egg 
    • 1 tbsp chili powder
    • 1 tbsp cumin
    • 1 tsp thai chili sauce
    • ½ cup bread crumbs
    • 4 buns
  • Directions
  1. Lightly oil a piece of aluminum foil and place on a baking sheet.
  2. If cooking in the oven; preheat to 375F. If cooking on the BBQ; heat the grill to high.
  3. In a bowl, mash the black beans until a paste is formed. 
  4. Place onion, green bell pepper (cut into chunks) and garlic into a food processor and pulse mix until chopped.
  5. In another bowl, whisk the egg with the cumin, chili powder and thai chili sauce.
  6. Mix the two bowls together, and add the breadcrumbs.
  7. Form the patties on a sheet of aluminum foil (~four patties). 

If cooking on the grill, cook for eight minutes on each side. If using an oven, cook for 10 minutes on each side.

Lastly, be creative with your toppings. Make these burgers your own.