Pesto Burgers Light Recipes

PESTO HAMBURGERS

Steps:

• Shape beef into four 3/4-in.-thick patties. Season with salt and pepper. In a large skillet, cook patties over medium heat until meat is no longer pink, about 5 minutes on each side. , Top each burger with a slice of cheese, 2 tablespoons pesto and pepper strips. Reduce heat; cover and simmer until cheese is melted, about 2 minutes. Serve on buns.

PESTO CHICKEN BURGERS

Steps:

• In a food processor, puree basil, spinach, garlic, walnuts, oil, and 1 tablespoon water. Season pesto with salt and pepper.
• Heat a grill or grill pan to medium-high. Combine 1 tablespoon pesto, 3/4 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, and chicken and form into 4 patties. Clean and lightly oil hot grill. Brush tomatoes with oil and season with salt and pepper. Grill patties, covered, 4 minutes. Flip patties and top with cheese. Add tomatoes to grill and cook, flipping once, until tomatoes are lightly charred and burgers are opaque throughout, 4 minutes.
• Assemble sandwiches in focaccia with pesto, burgers, and tomatoes.

PESTO BURGERS (LIGHT)

Steps:

• Mix the beef, bread crumbs, green onion, basil, 1/4 cup of pesto, egg and garlic by hand and shape into 5 burgers.
• Grill or sauté until done, about 7 minutes per side.
• Serve the burgers with the remaining 1/4 cup of pesto.

PESTO CHICKEN BURGERS

Steps:

• Toss the cut-up bun with 3 tablespoons water in a large bowl; set aside 1 minute. Add the chicken, 3/4 teaspoon salt, and pepper to taste; mix with your hands until combined. Form into four 3/4-inch-thick patties. Heat the olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the almonds and cook, stirring, until lightly toasted, about 2 minutes. Set aside 1 tablespoon almonds for the salad; transfer the rest to a blender along with the oil from the pan. Do not wipe out the skillet. Increase the heat under the skillet to medium high. Add the chicken patties and cook until no longer pink, 7 to 8 minutes per side. Meanwhile, add the whole tomato to the blender and process until smooth. Add the basil and 1/4 teaspoon salt; pulse until almost smooth. Add the parmesan; pulse until combined. Season with salt and pepper. Serve the burgers on the buns; top each with a spoonful of pesto and a tomato slice. Toss the remaining pesto with the arugula, the reserved 1 tablespoon almonds and the lemon juice; serve with the burgers.

PESTO BURGERS

Steps:

• Combine beef, pesto, garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, salt and pepper. Mix together thoroughly and shape into 6 patties.
• Grill burgers to desired doneness. Top with cheese slices just before burgers finish cooking.
• Serve burgers on onion rolls with the mayonnaise, tomatoes and onion.

PESTO FETA BURGER

Steps:

• Mix all ingredients in large mixing bowl, cover and let rest for at least 15mins. (You can also let rest in the fridge covered until ready to use but bring back to room temp before next step).
• Separate into 4-6 equal parts depending on how large you want your burgers.
• Roll each part into a ball then form into patties. (A pattie press does wonders for this step).
• Heat grill to 275-350F internal air temperature.
• Using a silicone brush lightly coat grill with Olive Oil to keep burgers from sticking.
• Cook burgers to desired doneness and let rest for at least 5 minutes before serving.