Bunless Burgers With Avo Salsa

If you’re in the mood for a yummy burger and you’re trying to eat healthily, how about skipping the carbs and making a bunless burger? In our healthy eating segment on NovaPM, we chatted about this delicious alternative to a potentially unhealthy meal. Here’s how to go about making a delicious dinner without the guilt…

Bunless Burgers With Avo Salsa

Ingredients:

For the Burgers:

• 500g ground beef (80% lean is a good option for juicy burgers)
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 4 hamburger buns

For the Avocado Salsa:

• 2 ripe avocados, diced
• 1 small red onion, finely chopped
• 1 small tomato, diced
• 1 jalapeño pepper, seeds removed and finely chopped (optional, adjust to your heat preference)
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
• Juice of 1 lime
• Salt and pepper to taste

For Serving (Optional):

• Lettuce leaves
• Sliced cheese
• Tomato sauce, mustard, or your favourite burger condiments

Instructions:

• In a mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Mix gently until well combined. Be careful not to over mix, as it can result in tough burgers.
• Divide the mixture into four equal portions and shape them into burger patties, slightly larger than the size of the buns to allow for shrinkage during cooking. Press the centre of each patty slightly to create an indentation; this helps the burger cook more evenly and prevents it from puffing up.
• Heat a skillet or a grill pan over medium-high heat. If using a skillet, you may lightly grease it to prevent sticking, but with a good non-stick pan, this might not be necessary.
• Add the burger patties to the hot pan and cook for about 4-5 minutes on each side or until they reach your desired level of doneness (medium-rare, medium, or well-done).
• While the burgers are cooking, prepare the avocado salsa. In a separate bowl, combine the diced avocados, chopped red onion, diced tomato, jalapeño pepper (if using), chopped cilantro, lime juice, salt, and pepper. Gently toss everything together until well mixed.
• When the burgers are cooked to your liking, remove them from the pan and let them rest for a minute.
• If desired, lightly toast the hamburger buns on the hot skillet for a minute or so until they are slightly crispy.
• Assemble the burgers: Place a cooked patty on the bottom half of each bun. Top with a slice of cheese (if using) and a generous amount of avocado salsa. Add lettuce leaves if you like some extra crunch.
• Complete the burgers with the top halves of the buns, and they’re ready to serve!

Serve these delicious pan-fried burgers with avocado salsa alongside your favourite side dishes like sweet potato fries, regular fries, or a fresh green salad. Enjoy!